Indiana Marriage License Requirements
If you're getting married in the state of Indiana you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…
IN county-specific marriage license links below. Scroll down further for statewide requirements.
- Adams County
- Allen County
- Bartholomew County
- Benton County
- Blackford County
- Boone County
- Brown County
- Carroll County
- Cass County
- Clark County
- Clay County
- Clinton County
- Crawford County
- Daviess County
- DeKalb County
- Dearborn County
- Decatur County
- Delaware County
- Dubois County
- Elkhart County
- Fayette County
- Floyd County
- Fountain County
- Franklin County
- Fulton County
- Gibson County
- Grant County
- Greene County
- Hamilton County
- Hancock County
- Harrison County
- Hendricks County
- Henry County
- Howard County
- Huntington County
- Jackson County
- Jasper County
- Jay County
- Jefferson County
- Jennings County
- Johnson County
- Knox County
- Kosciusko County
- LaGrange County
- LaPorte County
- Lake County
- Lawrence County
- Madison County
- Marion County
- Marshall County
- Martin County
- Miami County
- Monroe County
- Montgomery County
- Morgan County
- Newton County
- Noble County
- Ohio County
- Orange County
- Owen County
- Parke County
- Perry County
- Pike County
- Porter County
- Posey County
- Pulaski County
- Putnam County
- Randolph County
- Ripley County
- Rush County
- Scott County
- Shelby County
- Spencer County
- St Joseph County
- Stark County
- Steuben County
- Sullivan County
- Switzerland County
- Tippecanoe County
- Tipton County
- Union County
- Vanderburgh County
- Vermillion County
- Vigo County
- Wabash County
- Warren County
- Warrick County
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- Wells County
- White County
- Whitley County
Cost of Your License
How much does a marriage license cost?
The marriage license fee is $18.00 for in-state residents and $60.00 for out-of-state residents. Personal checks not accepted.
Residency Requirement
Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?
If both partners are residents you may obtain your license from a Town Clerk of your residence. If only one of you is a resident go to the Town Clerk of that resident. In either circumstance, your license will be valid statewide. If neither partner are residents you must apply for your license in the county where the marriage will take place.
Waiting Period
After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?
There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.
Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?
No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued.
License Expiration
How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?
Your license will expire 60 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.
What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?
Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.
Age Requirement
How old must I be to get married?
You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
What if one or both of us is younger than 18?
If either partner is under 18, parents or legal guardians must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.
Blood Test
Are blood tests and physical exams required?
No blood test or physical exam is required, although women under the age of 50 must provide a completed State of Indiana Premarital Examinate Certificate obtained from a health clinic.
Divorced or Widowed Applicants
What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?
If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. If the divorce or spouse's death had taken place within the last 2 years, some counties require you to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.
Marriage Name Change
How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?
When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).
There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Indiana or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.
Proxy Marriage
What is a proxy marriage?
A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."
Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?
No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in Indiana. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy.
Common Law Marriage
What is a common law marriage?
The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Indiana marriage license.
Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?
No, common-law marriages are not allowed in Indiana. This is unsurprising as only one-fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage.
Cousin Marriage
Can I get married to my cousin?
Yes, cousin marriages (first, second, etc) are allowed to take place. Cousins may marry as long as both are over the age of 65.
Same Sex Marriage
Are same sex marriages legal?
Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in Indiana.
