Crown Point Marriage Records
Marriage records for Crown Point and all of Lake County are issued and maintained by the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court, the only office in the county authorized to issue marriage licenses under IC 31-11. Crown Point serves as the Lake County seat, and the main clerk's marriage office is located right here in town at 2293 N. Main Street, making this the hub for marriage licensing across the entire county. Satellite locations in Hammond and Gary serve residents elsewhere in Lake County, but Crown Point is where the main office operates and where judges are available to perform civil ceremonies.
Crown Point Marriage Records Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk Marriage Office in Crown Point
The main Lake County Clerk marriage office is at 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building, 1st Floor, Crown Point, IN 46307. The primary phone number is 219-648-6996. A second line, 219-755-3466, is also available. This is the full-service location for Lake County marriage licenses, certified copy requests, and record searches. Satellite offices in Hammond at 232 Russell Street and in Gary at 15 West 4th Avenue, 400 Broadway, offer additional access for residents who live farther from Crown Point.
| Office | Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building 1st Floor, Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Phone | 219-648-6996 / 219-755-3466 |
| Hammond Satellite | 232 Russell Street, Hammond, IN 46320 |
| Gary Satellite | 15 West 4th Avenue, 400 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday |
| Payment | Cash only |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
| County Page | Lake County Marriage Records |
Payment at all Lake County Clerk marriage offices is cash only. No credit cards, debit cards, or checks are accepted for marriage license fees. Bring enough cash to cover the full fee before you arrive. Coming up short means you cannot complete the process that day and will need to return.
Applying for a Marriage License in Crown Point
Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office at the same time. Indiana does not permit one party to apply without the other present. Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID that shows a full legal name and date of birth. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport will do. A Social Security number is required from each applicant at the time of application. The clerk's staff collects this information before issuing the license.
If either applicant was previously married, bring the final divorce decree. If either applicant was widowed, bring a certified death certificate for the former spouse. The clerk will review all documents before completing the license. Indiana's online pre-application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/ allows couples to enter their information in advance and reduces time at the counter. Save the license key number from the online form and bring it to your visit. The online step does not replace in-person appearance. Both parties must still show up together.
Indiana has no waiting period. The ceremony can happen the same day the license is issued. The license is valid for 60 days. After 60 days it expires, no exceptions and no refunds. Both applicants must be at least 18. Indiana does not allow underage marriage, period. No blood test is required in Indiana.
Civil Ceremonies at the Crown Point Courthouse
Crown Point has a long history as a destination for couples seeking quick courthouse marriages. Today, Lake County judges are still available to perform civil ceremonies at the Crown Point courthouse. Ceremonies are available Monday through Friday, 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM. This service is available only at the main Crown Point location, not at the Hammond or Gary satellite offices. A fee applies for the judicial ceremony. Call 219-648-6996 to ask about fees and how to schedule.
Couples who want to apply and marry the same day in Crown Point should plan to arrive early in the day. Apply for your license first thing in the morning, then return for the judicial ceremony during the 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM window. Since there is no waiting period in Indiana, this same-day approach works smoothly. The earlier you arrive for the application, the more time you have before the ceremony window closes at 12:45 PM.
Searching Crown Point Marriage Records Online
Indiana provides a free public marriage record search through the Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. This tool covers Lake County records from 1993 to the present. Search by name and county to find whether a license was issued and view basic record details. No account or login is needed. The tool runs around the clock and is the fastest way to verify whether a Lake County marriage license exists for a specific person.
The ISDH vital records page at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ covers what the state maintains at the Indiana State Department of Health level and how to request certified copies from the state.
For Lake County marriage records predating 1993, the Indiana State Library's Legacy database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ is a good first stop. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/ also holds historical collections. Contacting the Lake County Clerk directly at 219-648-6996 is the best option if you cannot find what you need through digital tools.
Certified Copies of Crown Point Marriage Records
A certified copy of a marriage record carries the clerk's official seal and is accepted as legal proof of the marriage. Common uses include a legal name change with the Social Security Administration, updating a passport, adding a spouse to health insurance, or handling estate and immigration matters. Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, marriage records are public. Any person can request them.
To get a certified copy from the Lake County Clerk, contact the Crown Point main office at 219-648-6996. Provide both parties' full names and an approximate date of the marriage. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ also provides certified copies for an $8 search fee. Under IC 16-37-1-10, certified Indiana marriage record copies carry the legal weight of official evidence of the marriage event. Keep any certified copy in a secure location. Each replacement request costs money.
Historical and Genealogy Research
Lake County has decades of marriage records stored in ledgers, microfilm, and archived collections that predate digital recordkeeping. The Indiana State Library's genealogy portal at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm includes county-level collections and guides for Indiana family research. The Legacy database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ is free to search and covers older Indiana county marriage records.
The Indiana State Library genealogy resources at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm provide a solid foundation for anyone researching older Lake County marriage data.
For records that are not available online, the Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/ accepts research requests and can help locate older documents. The Lake County Clerk's office also maintains older records and can advise on what paper files they hold and how to access them in person or by mail.
Indiana Marriage Law Background
Indiana marriage law under IC 31-11 sets the requirements for all Indiana counties. Both applicants must be at least 18, must appear together in person, and must pay the applicable fee. The license is valid for 60 days with no waiting period between issuance and the ceremony. No blood test is required. The residency fee applies if both applicants have lived in Indiana for the 60 days before applying. If either person has not, the out-of-state fee of $65 applies.
Public access to marriage records is governed by IC 5-14-3. Because these are public documents, any person can inspect or request copies. Certified copies carry the legal weight specified in IC 16-37-1-10, making them admissible as evidence in court and acceptable to government agencies. Crown Point couples who married in Lake County have their records held permanently by the Lake County Clerk.