Bloomington Marriage Records
Marriage records in Bloomington are issued and maintained by the Monroe County Clerk's Office, which is the sole authority for marriage licenses in Monroe County under Indiana law. The City of Bloomington does not issue marriage licenses at any city office. If you need to apply for a license, request a certified copy, or search existing marriage records, you go through Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne. This page covers the full process for Bloomington residents.
Bloomington Marriage Records Quick Facts
Monroe County Clerk: Marriage Records Office in Bloomington
Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne oversees marriage license issuance and record maintenance for Bloomington and all of Monroe County. The main number for the clerk's office is 812-349-2614. Bloomington serves as the Monroe County seat, so the courthouse is right in the city. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office to apply for a license.
Monroe County's resident license fee is $29. This breaks down as $25 for the base license fee plus a $1 county supplement plus a $3 state supplement. Out-of-state applicants pay $69 for the same reason. The fee schedule is slightly different from many other Indiana counties that charge an even $25, so bring enough money to cover the full $29 at the window.
| Office | Monroe County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Nicole Browne |
| Phone | 812-349-2614 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call to confirm current hours) |
| Fee (Resident) | $29 ($25 + $1 county + $3 state) |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $69 |
| Ceremonies | Available by scheduled appointment (within two-week window) |
| County Page | Monroe County Marriage Records |
Monroe County Clerk's Office performs solemnizations, meaning the clerk or a deputy can legally marry you at the courthouse. This service is by scheduled appointment and takes place within a two-week scheduling window. Call 812-349-2614 to ask about scheduling a courthouse ceremony. This is a practical option for couples who want a simple civil ceremony in Bloomington without booking a separate officiant.
Applying for a Marriage License in Bloomington
Indiana provides an online marriage license application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/. Completing this form before your visit can help speed up the process at the Monroe County Clerk's window. Both applicants must still appear together in person to finalize the application and receive the physical license. The online form does not allow the license to be issued remotely.
Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is typically required, not a plain photocopy. Call 812-349-2614 ahead of your visit to confirm exactly what documents you need based on your situation.
Indiana has no waiting period after the license is issued. You can get married the same day if you want. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance under IC 31-11. The officiant who performs the ceremony must return the completed license to the Monroe County Clerk within 60 days of the ceremony. Failure to return it can create complications for record filing.
Search Bloomington and Monroe County Marriage Records
The Indiana courts maintain the Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov. This free online tool covers Monroe County marriage licenses from 1993 to the present. You can search by name and county. The results show basic information about the license. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a marriage was recorded in Monroe County since 1993. The search is available any time without a fee.
Records before 1993 require a direct request to the Monroe County Clerk's Office. Paper records from earlier decades may take additional time to retrieve. The Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ is a valuable resource for older Monroe County marriage data. The database is maintained by the Indiana State Library and indexes historical marriage records from county registers, some going back to the early 1800s. Genealogists tracing Bloomington-area families often rely heavily on this resource.
Certified Copies of Bloomington Marriage Records
Certified copies of Monroe County marriage records are available from the clerk's office. Visit in person with the full names of both spouses and the approximate year or date of the marriage. The clerk's staff will locate the record and prepare a certified copy. Call 812-349-2614 before your visit to confirm the fee and any specific requirements. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are legally valid for name changes, insurance updates, and government ID applications.
The Indiana State Department of Health offers certified marriage copies by mail at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ for $8 per copy. This is a mail-order alternative if you cannot get to the Monroe County Courthouse. Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, marriage records are public documents. Certified copies issued under IC 16-37-1-10 are the legally accepted form for official use.
Other Offices and Resources in Bloomington
The Monroe County Health Department, at 119 West Seventh Street, Bloomington, IN 47402 (phone: (812) 349-2543), handles birth and death certificates for Monroe County. It does not issue marriage licenses and does not maintain marriage records. If someone directs you to the health department for a marriage license, that is incorrect. Go to the Monroe County Clerk's Office instead.
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/ holds archived vital records from across the state, including Monroe County marriage documents from earlier periods. The Indiana State Library genealogy program at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm is another useful stop for family history research covering Bloomington and Monroe County. Both resources are free to search online.
For Monroe County marriage record information, visit the county clerk's official page at in.gov/counties/monroe/justice/clerk-of-court/. This page provides current information on clerk hours, services, and any procedural updates specific to Monroe County.