Find Marriage Records in Valparaiso
Marriage records for Valparaiso are issued and maintained by the Porter County Clerk of Circuit Court, the only office in Porter County authorized to issue marriage licenses under IC 31-11. Valparaiso serves as the county seat of Porter County, so the clerk's office is located right in town at 16 E Lincolnway, making it convenient for most residents to apply without a long drive. The Porter County Clerk handles all marriage licenses, certified copy requests, and historical record access for the entire county.
Valparaiso Marriage Records Quick Facts
Porter County Clerk: Valparaiso Marriage License Office
The Porter County Clerk's Office is at 16 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383. The main phone number is 219-465-3450. Office hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Calling ahead to confirm hours before your visit is a good idea, as holiday schedules and staffing can affect availability. Since Valparaiso is the county seat, there is no satellite location needed. Residents from Portage, Chesterton, and other Porter County communities all come to this same office.
| Office | Porter County Clerk of Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383 |
| Phone | 219-465-3450 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call to confirm) |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
| County Page | Porter County Marriage Records |
The resident fee applies if both applicants have lived in Indiana for at least 60 days before the application date. If either person lived outside Indiana during that window, the out-of-state fee of $65 applies. Confirm payment methods with the clerk's office when you call, as cash and check acceptance can vary by office.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Valparaiso
Both applicants must appear together at the Porter County Clerk's Office. Indiana does not allow one person to apply for the other. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID showing a date of birth, such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. Social Security numbers are collected as part of the application. If either applicant was previously married, bring the final divorce decree. If widowed, a certified death certificate for the former spouse is required.
Porter County encourages couples to complete the online pre-application before coming in. The state application portal at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/ lets you enter all the required information in advance. When you finish, print the confirmation or save your license key number to bring to the clerk's office. The online form does not replace the in-person visit. Both parties still must appear together to finalize and receive the license.
Indiana has no waiting period. Once the clerk issues your license, you can hold the ceremony that same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. After 60 days, it expires. You cannot get a refund on an expired license, so plan accordingly. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Indiana does not allow underage applicants, even with parental consent, for couples where either party is under 18.
No blood test is required. Indiana removed that requirement years ago. You do not need to be an Indiana resident to get a license from the Porter County Clerk. Out-of-state couples who want to marry in Valparaiso or anywhere in Porter County can apply here, though the fee is higher.
Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup
The Indiana courts maintain a free online search tool for marriage records. The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers Porter County records from 1993 forward. You can search by name and narrow results by county. The tool is publicly available at no cost and does not require a login or account. Results show whether a license was issued, the date, and other basic details.
The ISDH vital records page at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ explains what the state maintains and how to request certified copies from the state level.
For older Porter County marriage records that predate 1993, the best starting points are the Indiana State Library's Legacy database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ and the Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/. Both hold historical county-level marriage collections useful for genealogical research.
Valparaiso and the City Clerk: What They Do and Don't Do
This is one of the most common points of confusion. The City of Valparaiso has its own city clerk office, but that office has no role in marriage records. The Valparaiso City Clerk handles city council records, municipal licensing, and local government documents. Marriage licenses are a county function, handled solely by the Porter County Clerk of Circuit Court. Do not call or visit city hall for a marriage license. Go to the courthouse at 16 E Lincolnway.
The same rule applies for searching or obtaining certified copies of marriage records. The Porter County Clerk is the custodian of all marriage license records issued in the county. City hall cannot help with marriage record requests. The distinction matters because it affects where you go, who you call, and what documents you can get. Under IC 31-11, the circuit court clerk is the designated authority for issuing marriage licenses in each Indiana county.
Certified Copies of Valparaiso Marriage Records
A certified copy of a marriage record carries the clerk's seal and is recognized as legal proof of the marriage. You need one for a legal name change with the Social Security Administration, for updating a passport, for spousal benefits, or for insurance and estate matters. Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, marriage records are public records. Most anyone can request a copy.
To get a certified copy from the state level, review the information at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ before submitting your request to the ISDH.
To get a certified copy directly from the county, contact the Porter County Clerk at 219-465-3450. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. The ISDH at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ can also provide certified copies for an $8 search fee. Under IC 16-37-1-10, certified Indiana marriage record copies serve as official legal evidence of the marriage. Keep certified copies in a secure place, since each replacement request means paying again.
Genealogy and Historical Marriage Records for Valparaiso
Porter County marriage records go back well before digital recordkeeping. For older records, the Indiana State Library offers a genealogy portal at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm with resources specific to Indiana counties. Older Porter County marriage records are held in microfilm and archived collections accessible through the library or the Indiana Archives. The Legacy database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ is a good first stop for records that predate the 1993 digital cutoff.
Genealogical researchers should also contact the Porter County Clerk directly. The clerk's office can tell you what records they hold, how far back their files go, and what the process is for ordering copies of older documents. Some older records may require an in-person visit to view original ledger books. Others can be requested by mail with a written description of what you are looking for. The clerk staff can guide you through that process.
Legal Background on Indiana Marriage Licenses
Indiana marriage law is governed primarily by IC 31-11, which sets out who can marry, who issues licenses, and what records must be kept. The law requires both parties to appear together, establishes the fee structure, and specifies the 60-day validity window. There is no waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. Indiana also has no blood test requirement, which was eliminated long ago.
Access to marriage records is governed by IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Because marriage licenses are public documents, any member of the public can inspect or copy them subject to reasonable access procedures set by the clerk's office. Certified copies of vital records, including marriage certificates, carry the legal weight specified under IC 16-37-1-10, which makes them admissible as evidence in legal proceedings.