Where can I find marriage records?
Answer
Marriage records in Indiana have been recorded in each county since the establishment of that county. Original records are kept by the county clerk's office in the county where the marriage was granted. This may not be the same county where the marriage ceremony took place. Starting in 1958, marriages were recorded with the state, as well, and are kept by the Indiana State Department of Health and the county clerk. Prior to the 1890s, most marriage records in Indiana do not include background information on the bride and groom such as parents names or dates of birth.
There is not one source for Indiana marriages that covers all counties and all time periods. Although the Indiana State Library has copies of many marriage records via databases and microfilm, we do not have access to every record. Also, not all records are indexed, so we may not be able to find a record without an exact date and location. For an overview of our holdings, please consult our research guides.
If you need a certified copy of a marriage record, you will need to contact the county clerk's office, as we cannot certify records. However, if you do not know which county you need to contact, we would be happy to assist you with that information.