What Are Indiana Marriage Records?

Marriage records are a vital subset of public records that document the legal union of two individuals. Unlike birth and death records, which signify the beginning and end of life, marriage records capture a significant event in an individual's legal and social timeline.

Indiana began officially recording marriages in 1958. They serve as proof of marriage for legal purposes, including inheritance and spousal benefits, as well as data for genealogical research and demographic studies.

Marriage records in Indiana generally consist of two primary document types. Per the Indiana Code, Title 31, Article 11, a marriage license is a prerequisite document issued before the ceremony, while a marriage certificate is given after the marriage is solemnized following state law.

Typically, Indiana marriage records indicate the full legal names of both parties, the date and location of the marriage ceremony, and the names of officiants and witnesses.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

Marriage records in Indiana are subject to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), which establishes guidelines for public access to government records. While marriage records are generally accessible to the public, the availability of specific details may vary.

Sensitive information, such as contact information of the individuals named in the record, is not available for public access and is often redacted. In some cases, legal restrictions may apply to accessing marriage records, particularly if the records are involved in ongoing litigation or are subject to a court order.

Individuals who require access to restricted information must provide proof of eligibility. Access is typically granted to the record holders, their authorized legal representatives, or individuals with a legitimate reason to view the record.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Indiana?

Marriage records in Indiana are housed at the State Vital Records Office and county clerk's office in the county where the marriage was recorded. Available documents vary by county and period. Some counties may maintain records going back to the early 1800s, while others may have more recent documents.

To request or search for a marriage record in Indiana, individuals must supply details such as the full names of both parties, the date of the marriage, and the county where it occurred to help locate the record. Additionally, individuals must prove their eligibility by providing valid identification and explaining the reason for the request.

The general steps to search for or request a marriage record in Indiana are as follows:

• Visit the chosen office in person, call the official contact number, or check the office's website to process the request.
• Complete and submit Indiana State Form 54764 to request the marriage record.
• Include the necessary marriage details and a government-issued ID to verify eligibility.
• Pay the required fees to access the record.
• Wait for processing. Processing times may vary based on the county's workload and procedures.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

In Indiana, marriage certificates can be issued as certified or informational copies. A certified copy is an official, legally recognized document with the seal of the issuing authority. An informational copy is a non-official document used for personal research or genealogical purposes.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are available only through the county clerk's office in the county where the marriage occurred.

The Indiana State Library also offers an online index for marriages up to 2018. This index helps locate information, but certified copies can only be obtained through the county clerk's office.

For historical records before 1850, the library's Index to Indiana Marriages Through 1850 is available for research.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

In Indiana, marriage licenses are kept by the county clerk's office in the county where they were issued. While the process for accessing these records may differ by county, certified copies of marriage licenses can only be obtained from the specific county clerk's office where the license was originally issued.

Individuals can also use the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup, which allows searches for marriage licenses recorded from 1993 to the present. Although it includes many records, not all marriage licenses from this period are available. If the record is not in the database, one should contact the responsible county clerk for verification.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

In addition to the official government databases, other online options are available for searching Indiana marriage records.

Various genealogical societies in Indiana offer online access to marriage records, often in the form of databases. These records can be useful for finding information about when and where a marriage took place.

Commercial record retrieval services, like RecordsFinder, also allow individuals to search a wide variety of public records, including marriage records. While RecordsFinder does not provide certified copies, it offers access to essential information, such as names, dates, and locations related to marriages in Indiana.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage refers to a union in which the details are not publicly accessible. Couples may choose this option if they desire to keep their marriage details private, whether for personal, security, or legal concerns.

In Indiana, the concept of confidential marriages is not officially recognized in the same way as in some other states. However, if a marriage record is sealed by a court order or upon the couple's request, it becomes confidential and cannot be accessed by the general public.

Access to sealed marriage records is generally restricted. To obtain such a record, a requester must obtain a court order. This process involves submitting a petition to the court and demonstrating a valid reason for accessing the sealed record. The court will assess the request before granting permission to view the confidential marriage record.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

To apply for a marriage license in Indiana, couples must fulfill certain requirements and meet eligibility criteria. However, the clerk's office cannot issue a marriage license if any of the following conditions are present:

• Intoxication of either applicant under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of application
• Applicants are more closely related than second cousins unless both individuals are first cousins and are at least 65
• If either applicant has been adjudicated as mentally incompetent unless that adjudication has been legally lifted
• If one applicant is a lifetime sex offender or violent offender
  • An affidavit stating that the offenders have informed local law enforcement about their intent to marry is required

Once these restrictions are considered, here are the main criteria and steps for obtaining a marriage license in Indiana:

Identification Requirements

To confirm their identity, each applicant must present a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate.

Age Criteria

To marry without parental consent, individuals must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may marry with approval from a juvenile court order under IC 31-11-7, which grants permission to marry and fully emancipates the individual. Those under the age of 16 are not permitted to marry in Indiana.

To verify their date of birth, applicants must present one of the following forms of identification:

• A certified copy of the birth certificate, a birth record, or a birth certification
• A certified copy of a judicial decree that establishes the individual's date of birth
• A valid driver's license or other state-issued identification that includes both the date of birth and current address
• A passport
• An immigration or naturalization record that shows the individual's date of birth
• A U.S. selective service card or armed forces record displaying the date of birth
• A court record or any other document issued by a government entity indicating the date of birth

If the documentation is in a language other than English, it may be necessary to have it translated and notarized before submission.

Residency Criteria

Indiana does not require couples to be residents of the state to apply for a marriage license. Non-residents are required to apply for a marriage license in the county where the wedding will take place.

License Validity

Once issued, a marriage license in Indiana is valid immediately and can be used anywhere in the state. However, it will expire after 60 days, so the marriage must be completed within this period.

Waiting Period

There is no waiting period between the issuance of the marriage license and the wedding.

Officiants and Witnesses

In Indiana, marriages can be officiated by a clergy member, judge, or any other individual authorized to conduct a wedding. A witness is not necessary during the ceremony.

Blood Tests

Indiana no longer requires blood tests as part of the marriage application process.

Proxy Marriages

Indiana does not permit proxy marriages. Both individuals must be present to marry in person.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

In Indiana, it is possible to correct mistakes on a marriage certificate or license, provided the error is identified and verified. Although marriage certificate errors are relatively uncommon, they may occur due to clerical mistakes, misspellings, or other inaccuracies.

The following are some of the most common mistakes on marital documents:

• Misspelled names, which also often involve names of the couple, witnesses, or officiants
• Incorrect dates, such as the date of the marriage or birthdates
• Inaccurate listing of the county or city where the marriage took place
• Errors in the name or title of the officiant who conducted the ceremony
• Missing or incorrect signatures from either party or witnesses.

The following are general steps on how to amend marriage certificates:

• Review the marriage certificate or license carefully to confirm the error.
• Reach out to the county clerk's office where the marriage was recorded to report the mistake.
• File a request, which may require the submission of supporting documentation.
• Provide evidence.
• Pay applicable fees, which might vary per county.
• Wait for the processing and issuing of the corrected marriage certificate.

For errors in marriage records maintained by the Indiana State Library, users can contact the assigned librarian.

Individuals must address any errors as soon as they are discovered, as incorrect information can cause complications in legal matters or when using the certificate for official purposes.

Are Marriage Records Under the Indiana Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

Indiana's ACP is designed to protect the safety and privacy of individuals who are survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, stalking, intimidation, invasion of privacy, or human trafficking. The program provides participants with a substitute address, shielding their actual location from appearing in public records, including marriage records.

To qualify for the ACP, applicants must fear for their safety and meet specific criteria. Survivors must submit an application that includes a section completed by a trained victim advocate. Participation in the program may be extended to:

• Adults who are at least 18 years old
• Parents or guardians applying on behalf of a minor
• Guardians acting on behalf of an incapacitated individual

Participants in the ACP can use the substitute address provided by the program when applying for a marriage license. Their personal information, including their residential address and other details that might show up on marriage records, is excluded from being publicly accessible.

Indiana Marriage Statistics and Trends

Marriage trends in the U.S. reflect changing preferences and societal views on relationships and commitment.

Currently, 53% of adults are married, down from 58% in 1995. This decline is most evident among younger adults, only 18% of those under 30 are married today, compared to 31% in 1995. Marriage rates for adults aged 30 to 49 and those 50 and older have also decreased slightly, from around 65-68% in 1995 to 62% today.

However, cohabitation has risen significantly. Among adults aged 18 to 44, 59% have cohabited, surpassing the 50% who have ever been married. Just a decade ago, cohabitation rates were lower (54%), while marriage rates were higher (60%).

Marriage trends in Indiana reveal unique patterns compared to national averages. Here are some key marriage statistics specific to the state:

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