Evansville Marriage Records Search

Marriage records in Evansville are handled by the Vanderburgh County Clerk, which maintains marriage licenses and related documents dating back to 1835. The county clerk is the only office in Evansville authorized to issue marriage licenses under Indiana law, and the clerk's office sits right in the city at the Civic Center Complex. This page covers how to apply for a license, what to bring, how to search existing records, and where to get certified copies.

Vanderburgh County Clerk: Marriage Records Office in Evansville

The Vanderburgh County Clerk's Office handles all marriage licenses for Evansville and the rest of Vanderburgh County. The office is in the Civic Center Complex at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Room S240, Evansville, IN. The main phone is (812) 435-5188. For courthouse ceremony appointments specifically, call (812) 435-5719. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Both applicants must apply together. The clerk's office asks that couples arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. to begin the application process, giving staff enough time before the 4:30 p.m. close. If you arrive after 3:45 p.m., the clerk may ask you to return the next business day. Plan your visit with that cutoff in mind.

Evansville's City Clerk Laura Windhorst handles municipal records for the city government. The City Clerk's office does not issue marriage licenses and refers all marriage-related inquiries to the Vanderburgh County Clerk. Do not contact city hall for marriage license questions.

Applying for a Marriage License in Evansville

Both applicants must appear at the Vanderburgh County Clerk's Office together and at the same time. Each person needs to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. If either applicant was previously married, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate works. A plain photocopy may not be sufficient; check with the clerk's office at (812) 435-5188 before your visit to confirm what they require for your situation.

Indiana offers a convenient online application option at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/. Completing the online form ahead of time can speed things up at the window, but the in-person visit is still required. The license is issued on the day you apply. There is no waiting period in Indiana. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance under IC 31-11.

The fee for Indiana residents is $25. Out-of-state residents pay $65. The Vanderburgh County Clerk also performs courthouse ceremonies by appointment. Call (812) 435-5719 to schedule a solemnization at the courthouse if you prefer to marry at the Civic Center. This option is available to couples who have already received their license.

Evansville Marriage Records: Searching Historical Documents

The Vanderburgh County Clerk holds marriage records dating back to 1835, making it one of the more extensive county collections in Indiana. For modern records from 1993 onward, the Indiana courts system provides the Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov. This free online tool lets you search by name and county. It covers Vanderburgh County records within that date range and is available any time.

For records before 1993, including the county's large collection of 19th and early 20th century documents, you need to contact the clerk's office directly or consult the Indiana Legacy Database. The Indiana State Library hosts the Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/. This is a strong resource for genealogy research covering Vanderburgh County and the Evansville area dating back to the early 1800s. Many county marriage registers and indexes are available there without a trip to Evansville.

Getting Certified Copies of Marriage Records

Certified copies of Vanderburgh County marriage records are available from the county clerk's office in person at the Civic Center Complex. Bring the names of both spouses and the approximate date or year of the marriage. The clerk's staff will locate the record and prepare a certified copy for you. Call (812) 435-5188 to ask about the current fee and any other requirements before you visit.

The Indiana State Department of Health issues certified copies of marriage records at the state level for an $8 fee. Its program at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ covers records from its statewide vital records database. This is a mail-order option if you cannot travel to Evansville. The Indiana Archives and Records Administration also maintains archived vital records at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/, which includes Vanderburgh County historical documents.

Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's public records law, marriage records are open to the public. The clerk will provide certified copies to requestors who can identify the record they need. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and signature, making them legally valid for name changes, insurance claims, and other official purposes per IC 16-37-1-10.

State Genealogy and Archive Resources

The Indiana State Library genealogy division offers resources beyond what you find in the county clerk's office. Its online portal at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm provides access to digitized marriage registers, newspaper indexes, and other documents that can help trace Evansville and Vanderburgh County family lines. Researchers working on families from southwestern Indiana often find good coverage for this region in the library's holdings.

For older records, the Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/ is worth a check. Vanderburgh County's 1835 marriage records make it one of the earliest counties with preserved data, and the archives may have indexed or microfilmed portions of that collection. Call or email the archives before making a trip to confirm what they hold for Vanderburgh County and what time period is covered.

Nearby Indiana Cities