How To Get Legally Married In Indiana
Having a ceremony and a party is one thing. Getting a marriage license and making your marriage legal in the eyes of the State of Indiana is a whole other process. Here is the information you need to make getting legally married in Indy and beyond.
Having a ceremony and a party is one thing. Getting a marriage license and making your marriage legal in the eyes of the State of Indiana is a whole other process. Here is the information you need to make getting legally married in Indy and beyond.
How to get married in Indiana Checklist
- First, you need someone to marry. Congratulations! You're engaged!
- Then, you need a marriage license. This page has everything you need to know!
- Then you need someone to perform your wedding. I can do that! I'm a wedding officiant. I can legally marry you today, Schedule an elopement, or any type of wedding, big or small.
- Return your marriage license to the county clerk that issued it within 30 days of it being signed.
- Click here for a list of my wedding officiant services and prices and to schedule an appointment.
In order to be legally married you need a marriage license.
A marriage license is a legal document issued by the County Clerk.
- You need to pick your marriage license up from your County Clerk during regular business hours.
- Only the clerk can issue you a marriage license.
- A wedding officiant helps you complete the marriage license. A wedding officiant cannot issue you a marriage license or obtain a marriage license for you.
- Most county Clerk's are open Monday-Friday from 8-4. They are a government office so they are closed on holidays. Always contact your county clerk for their specific hours.
What County Clerk to I go to?
If you, or the person you are marrying, live in Indiana
If you don't live in Indiana
If you, or the person you are marrying, live in Indiana
- You go to the county clerk in the county in which you live.
- If you and the person you are marrying live in two different counties, you can go to either county clerk.
If you don't live in Indiana
- Pick up your marriage license in the county in which you are being married.
You need to apply for your marriage license online.
- If you apply for your marriage license online, you still have to go to the clerk's office and pick it up.
- You can do this either on the computers in the county clerks office or on any computer anywhere.
- You will be entering the information in to the computer yourself either way.
- Once you get to the clerks office you give them your name and the last 4 digits of your social security number and they will look up your application.
- Don't worry if you don't have your application number, it just takes your name and social security number.
- If you are planning to use the computers in the clerk's office to apply for your marriage license giver yourself time. Be at the Marion County clerk before 3:30 if applying online there. No later than 4 if you already applied
- The Hamilton County Clerk stops issuing marriage licenses at 4 PM. No exceptions.
Bring ID
- You need to prove who you are. A valid drivers license is all you need. Check your wallet to make sure you have it with you. Make sure it is not expired.
- You can also use a valid passport, birth certificate or state issued ID. They must be in English or have a notarized translation.
- If you are traveling to Indiana from out the United States you just need your passport as ID. You will apply as an out of state resident.
Bring Proof of Address - If you are an Indiana Resident. Non-residents don't need proof of address.
- If you live in Indiana you need to bring proof of address in the county in which you are applying for your marriage license.
- If you, or the person you are marrying has the correct address on your drivers license, that's all you need,
- If your drivers license does not have your current address listed you will need to bring proof of address in the form of a utility bill, lease agreement of other item listed here.
That's it. REALLY! You just need to bring proof of who you are and your address. If you have a valid drivers license with your current address that's all you need. The number one problem I hear about from couples I marry is they forgot proof of address. You can actually bring up an e-statement on your phone, if you are set up to do that, in a pinch. If one of you has your current address on your drivers license that's fine.
If you or your partner are an Indiana resident your marriage license is good anywhere in the state.
- You have to get your marriage license in the county you live in, You can get married any where in Indiana.
- You must return your completed marriage license to the same clerk that issued it.
All of this sounds like a really long and drawn out process. It is not. Really not. You can literally get married in Indiana in less then an hour. In my years as a wedding officiant in Indiana I've literally met couples at the courthouse and, in less then an hour, they have their marriage license, we've signed it, performed a ceremony, taken a few pictures, they've turned the signed license back in and received certified copies of their marriage certificate. It's literally that fast, easy and inexpensive.
How much does it cost?
- There is one fee per couple, not per person. The two of you receive one license.
- Not all counties accept credit cards, if they do, they charge a fee. Check with YOUR county clerk or bring cash.
- If you are an Indiana resident the marriage license fee is $18.
- If you are not an Indiana resident the fee is $60.
LGBTQ
Indian has been issuing marriage licenses to same gender couples in Indiana since October of 2014 with no issues. As a wedding officiant in Indiana I have been performing same gender ceremonies since before it was a legal contract. If you are looking for an LGBTQ friendly wedding officiant in Indy I am happy to marry you!
Indian has been issuing marriage licenses to same gender couples in Indiana since October of 2014 with no issues. As a wedding officiant in Indiana I have been performing same gender ceremonies since before it was a legal contract. If you are looking for an LGBTQ friendly wedding officiant in Indy I am happy to marry you!
What are the criteria to marry in Indiana?
- You need to be at least 18 years of age. If you are younger than 18, your parents will need to give their permission in person when you obtain your marriage license at the clerks office.
- If you have been divorced less then 6 months you will need a certified copy of your divorce degree. That's issued with a stamp and a raised seal. Check with your county clerk to find out exactly what you need.
- If you are already legally married, your divorce needed to be final before you can remarry. For polyamorous couples, you can only be legally married to one person.
- You must be of sound mind. This means that you have never been declared legally insane by a court of law. If you have been deemed legally insane you are not allowed to enter into a legal contract. This may also apply to other individuals who have been deemed incompetent by the court for various reasons. This is a questions you have to answer under oath.
- You cannot be under the influence of any drugs. You can't go to the county clerk high or drunk and be issued a marriage license. The will ask you under oath to declare yourself not under the influence .
- You have to be marrying of your own free will. You cannot be forced into marriage. You are entering into a legal contract and it is expected that you are making the decision on your own to marry.
- You cannot be any more then second cousins. This means you can marry your second cousin but not your first cousin. If you would like to marry your first cousin you need to be over the age of 65.
- You will need to verify all the information you gave on the marriage license application is correct. The clerk will bring up your application on the computer screen for you to verify the information. Check that your names are spelled correctly. If they are not, you will need to either wait 60 days for the license to expire and then have it re-issued with the correct spelling or you will have to have a judge sign off on the error and have it corrected. There is a fee for this process.
Check the spelling of your names!! Check everything on the application, if you misspelled something or left something out, you can't just put it back on or correct it after the marriage license is printed and issued. It requires a court order and $$$$
You have your marriage license. Now what?
Between you and the state, you are entering into a legal contract. That is it is. Whatever you believe marriage to be is up to you. If you choose to be acknowledged by the state as a married couple you need to enter into the legal contract of marriage. That is what your marriage license is. If you deem marriage to be a spiritual or religious union that is up to you. Technically, you just need to have your marriage license signed.
The easiest and most cost effective way to get married in Indy is to hire a wedding officiant. A wedding officiant is a person who is authorized by the state to solemnize marriages. A judge, Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, a mayor or an ordained minister are just a few people authorized to marry couples. I'm an ordained minister and my job title is Wedding Officiant. I perform everything from simple, civil, justice of the peace style weddings, elopements and full, formal wedding ceremonies. I can be as business-like or as romantic as you like.
Between you and the state, you are entering into a legal contract. That is it is. Whatever you believe marriage to be is up to you. If you choose to be acknowledged by the state as a married couple you need to enter into the legal contract of marriage. That is what your marriage license is. If you deem marriage to be a spiritual or religious union that is up to you. Technically, you just need to have your marriage license signed.
The easiest and most cost effective way to get married in Indy is to hire a wedding officiant. A wedding officiant is a person who is authorized by the state to solemnize marriages. A judge, Justice of the Peace, a lawyer, a mayor or an ordained minister are just a few people authorized to marry couples. I'm an ordained minister and my job title is Wedding Officiant. I perform everything from simple, civil, justice of the peace style weddings, elopements and full, formal wedding ceremonies. I can be as business-like or as romantic as you like.
RETURN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
Once you are married and your marriage license is signed you need to RETURN your marriage license to the same county clerk. In order for your marriage to be recognized by the government the license MUST BE RETURNED! You can mail it in or you can return it in person. You both don't have to go together to return it. When you return the license you also need to request certified copies. There is a fee for the copies. It's usually $2 each. Some counties are $1. Some counties require you to pay ahead of time and will automatically send them to you. ASK the clerks office. You will need a certified copy in order to change your name or legally prove to anyone you are legally married. Your decorative copy is not a legal copy.
Once you are married and your marriage license is signed you need to RETURN your marriage license to the same county clerk. In order for your marriage to be recognized by the government the license MUST BE RETURNED! You can mail it in or you can return it in person. You both don't have to go together to return it. When you return the license you also need to request certified copies. There is a fee for the copies. It's usually $2 each. Some counties are $1. Some counties require you to pay ahead of time and will automatically send them to you. ASK the clerks office. You will need a certified copy in order to change your name or legally prove to anyone you are legally married. Your decorative copy is not a legal copy.
HOW DO I CHANGE MY NAME?
You need to change your name with your social security number first. You can do that in person or through the mail. All of the information is included in the packet you receive when you pick up your marriage license.
Click here for Social Secuirty Office Locations.
Click here for more information from the state.
After you have changed your name with social security you then need to go to the BMV to change your name on your drivers license.
Click here for more information from the BMV
You need to change your name with your social security number first. You can do that in person or through the mail. All of the information is included in the packet you receive when you pick up your marriage license.
Click here for Social Secuirty Office Locations.
Click here for more information from the state.
After you have changed your name with social security you then need to go to the BMV to change your name on your drivers license.
Click here for more information from the BMV
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How Do I Get Married In Indiana?
In order to be legally married you need a marriage license and a wedding officiant to marry you.
Where do I get a Marriage License?
You get a marriage license from the county clerk in the county you live in.
What if my future spouse and I don't live in the same county? Which clerk do we go to?
You can go to the clerk in either county and use your legal address in that county.
What if I'm not getting married in my county?
If you are an Indiana resident you need to get your marriage license in the county you live in. Then, you can get married anywhere in the state.
What if we don't live in Indiana?
You get your marriage license in the county in which you are being married.
how do I apply for a marriage license?
You apply online. You can apply before you go or use the computers in the clerk's office when you get there.
Do we both have to be there to pick up the marriage license?
You both have to appear in person to be issued a marriage license.
How much does a marriage license cost?
$18 for Indiana Residents. $60 for out of state residents?
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What ID do we need?
You need to prove who you are. A valid drivers license or a valid passport or a certified birth certificate. You just need one.
Do we need proof of address?
If you live in Indiana, you will need to prove you live in the county in which you are applying for your marriage licnese
How do I prove my address?
Just one of you need to prove your address. You can use your valid driver's license, a utility bill, mortgage or lease.
Do I need my divorce decree?
Usually only if you your divorce has been finalized in the last 60 days. Call your clerk to verify.
Can I pick up a marriage license on a weekend?
No, the county clerk keeps regular business hours M-F. Call your clerk for their details.
Is there a Waiting Period, or can I get married today?
There is no waiting period in Indiana.
Do we need witnesses?
No witnesses are required to be legally married in Indiana
Can a judge marry me at the courthouse?
Not in Marion County. Most counties no longer allow judges to performs weddings during regular business hours. Check with your county clerk.
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Why can't I get married at the courthouse?
I don't know. Probably because they wanted the judges working on other things instead of taking time out of their day to marry people.
When did they stop marrying people at the courthouse?
Sometime around 2013
If I don't want to get married in a church, who can marry me?
A wedding officiant.
How do I find a wedding officiant?
Marry Me In Indy! (317)403-7379. I'm Victoria, I'd LOVE to marry you!
How do I know a wedding officiant is legal?
Ask them. If they are an ordained minister they will probably have a certificate to show you.
are wedding officiants in Indiana certified? will they stamp my license?
No. Indiana doesn't require wedding officiants to register with them. There is no stamp.
How long is my license good for?
Your license has to be signed within 60 days from the day it's issued.
Do I have to return the license to the clerk?
Yes! The signed license needs to be returned with in 30 days from the day it's signed.
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