Find Marriage Records in Fort Wayne
Marriage records in Fort Wayne are issued and maintained by the Allen County Clerk's Office, located at 715 South Calhoun Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The county clerk is the sole authority for marriage licenses in Allen County under Indiana law, and Fort Wayne residents must visit the courthouse to apply in person. This page explains how to apply for a license, search existing records, and get certified copies of marriage documents.
Fort Wayne Marriage Records Quick Facts
Allen County Clerk: Where to Get a Marriage License in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County, so the courthouse is right in the city. The Allen County Clerk's Office is at 715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. The phone number is 260-449-7370. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both applicants must appear at the same time. The clerk will not issue a license if only one party is present.
One practical note for visitors: no electronic devices are allowed inside the Allen County Courthouse. Leave your phone and laptop in the car or make other arrangements before you enter. This rule applies throughout the building, not just in the clerk's office. Plan your visit accordingly, especially if you rely on digital documents stored on your phone.
| Office | Allen County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 |
| Phone | 260-449-7370 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
| County Page | Allen County Marriage Records |
The fee for Indiana residents is $25. If one or both applicants have lived outside Indiana in the 60 days before applying, the fee rises to $65. The Fort Wayne City Clerk's office at 260-427-1221 (open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) handles city council records and municipal documents only. It cannot issue marriage licenses. All marriage license work must go through the Allen County Clerk.
Applying for a Marriage License in Fort Wayne
Indiana offers an online marriage license application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/. Completing the online form before your visit is a good idea and can speed up the process at the clerk's window. Both parties still need to appear in person at the Allen County Courthouse to finalize the application and receive the license. The online form does not replace the in-person visit; it just prepares the paperwork in advance.
Bring a government-issued photo ID for each applicant. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card works. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the prior marriage ended, such as a divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk may ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree, not just a photocopy, so call ahead at 260-449-7370 to confirm exactly what documents you need for your specific situation.
There is no waiting period after the license is issued. You can have the ceremony the same day if you want. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If you do not use it within that window, you will need to apply again. Under IC 31-11, the officiant must return the completed license to the county clerk within 60 days of the ceremony.
Search Fort Wayne Marriage Records Online
The Indiana courts maintain a free public search tool for marriage records. The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov covers Allen County licenses issued from 1993 to the present. You can search by name, county, or date range. The database is free and available any time. It shows whether a license was issued but does not provide a full certified copy.
For marriages before 1993, the Allen County Clerk holds paper records that can be requested in person or by phone. Older records may take more time to retrieve. The Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ is a strong resource for historical Allen County marriage data, going back well into the 19th century. Researchers working on genealogy projects often find county marriage registers and early vital records indexed in this collection.
Getting Certified Copies of Fort Wayne Marriage Records
Certified copies of Allen County marriage records are available from the Allen County Clerk's Office. You can request them in person at 715 South Calhoun Street. Bring the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of the marriage. Fees apply; call 260-449-7370 to confirm current rates before your visit.
The Indiana State Department of Health also issues certified copies of marriage records statewide. Its vital records program charges $8 per certified copy and draws from a statewide database. Visit in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ for ordering instructions and accepted payment methods. This can be a useful alternative if you prefer to order by mail rather than visiting the courthouse.
Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, marriage records are generally public documents. The clerk can provide certified copies to anyone who requests them with proper identifying information about the record sought. Privacy rules under IC 16-37-1-10 govern certain vital records, but marriage licenses in Indiana are not restricted in the same way birth records are.
Other Offices in Fort Wayne: What They Handle
The Allen County Health Department, located at 200 E. Berry Street, Suite 360, Fort Wayne (phone: 260-449-7147), manages birth and death certificates for Allen County. It does not issue marriage licenses. If someone sends you to the health department for a marriage record, that referral is incorrect. The clerk's office on Calhoun Street is the right destination.
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration provides access to older vital records through its online portal at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/. This state-level resource covers archived records from across Indiana, including Allen County marriage documents that predate the clerk's electronic system. It is especially useful for records from the 1800s to mid-1900s.