Adams County Marriage Records

Adams County marriage records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Decatur, Indiana. The clerk maintains all marriage licenses issued in Adams County and can provide certified copies upon request. Whether you need to apply for a new license, search existing records, or get a copy of a past marriage document, this guide covers what you need to know about Adams County marriage records and where to find them.

Adams County Clerk's Office

The Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court in Adams County is the official keeper of marriage records for the county. Clerk Shelly M. Brite leads this office, which serves as the record keeper for the constitutionally created Circuit Court. The clerk is elected by the voters of Adams County and is limited to two consecutive terms. All marriage licenses issued in Adams County go through this office, and the clerk maintains a record of each one.

The Adams County Clerk's Office handles marriage license applications by appointment. You must call (260) 724-5309 to schedule your visit. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The office itself is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Walk-ins are not accepted for marriage license appointments, so plan ahead. At least one applicant must reside in Adams County to apply for a license here.

The Adams County clerk's website at co.adams.in.us/174/Clerks-Office has current contact details and office information for marriage records.

The clerk's office page shows office hours, phone numbers, and links to marriage license information for Adams County.

How to Apply for an Adams County Marriage License

Both parties must be present when you apply for a marriage license in Adams County. You cannot send a representative or apply without your future spouse. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old and must bring a government-issued photo ID. A valid driver's license works well. A certified birth certificate is also acceptable. Come ready to show your ID at the time of your appointment.

Indiana lets you start your application online before your visit. Go to in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license to fill out the pre-application form. This does not replace the in-person appointment, but it can make your visit go faster. The marriage license page at co.adams.in.us/288/Marriage has local instructions specific to Adams County applicants.

The Adams County marriage information page at co.adams.in.us/288/Marriage lists everything you need to bring and explains the full process for getting your license in Decatur.

The county's marriage information page shows appointment scheduling details, required documents, and fees for Adams County marriage licenses.

The fee for Adams County residents is $29. This breaks down as $25 for the license and $4 for the first certified copy. Out-of-state applicants pay $69 total. Pay at the clerk's office during your appointment. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not use it within 60 days, you will need to apply again. Note that the Adams County Clerk does not perform marriage ceremonies. You will need to arrange your own officiant.

Under Indiana Code 31-11, all couples in Indiana must have a valid marriage license before the ceremony can take place. Indiana law sets the rules for who can apply and where they must file. Adams County follows these statewide rules for all license applications.

Search Adams County Marriage Records Online

The Indiana Courts system has an online database called the Marriage License Public Lookup, or MLPL. This tool lets you search for marriage licenses issued in Adams County from 1993 to the present. Go to public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to run a search. You can look by name, county, or date range. The results show who was issued a license and when.

The MLPL database covers most counties in Indiana, including Adams County. It is free to use and does not require an account. If you are looking for an older marriage record from before 1993, the online database will not have it. Older records are kept at the clerk's office in Decatur or may be found through historical archives. Keep in mind the database shows license records, not the actual marriage certificates.

For in-person searches, visit the Adams County Clerk's Office at 112 S 2nd St in Decatur. Staff can search records by name or date and print copies for you. Bring your ID and any information you have about the record you need, such as the year or full names of both parties.

Note: The MLPL search covers licenses issued after 1993. Older records require a visit or written request to the clerk's office in Decatur.

Getting Certified Copies of Adams County Marriage Records

If you need a certified copy of a marriage record from Adams County, start with the Clerk's Office in Decatur. The clerk can issue certified copies of marriage licenses on file. Fees apply. Call (260) 724-5309 to ask about the current cost for copies and how to request them. You can visit in person or send a written request by mail. Include the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage when you write in.

The Indiana Department of Health also maintains vital records, including marriage records, for the state. You can order records through the Indiana vital records office for marriages registered at the state level. The state vital records system may have records that go back further for some counties. Both the county clerk and the state health department are valid sources for certified copies of Adams County marriage records.

Public records access in Indiana is governed by Indiana Code 5-14-3, which outlines what records are available and how requests must be handled. Marriage records are generally public, but some information may be restricted under Indiana Code 16-37-1-10, which deals with vital records confidentiality.

Historical Adams County Marriage Records

For older Adams County marriage records that predate the online database, several archives hold historical documents. The Indiana State Library's digital collection at digital.statelib.lib.in.us has digitized older records from many Indiana counties. The Indiana Archives and Records Administration also maintains historical vital records. Visit in.gov/iara for details on what they hold for Adams County.

FamilySearch and Ancestry are good starting points for genealogical research on Adams County marriage records. Many older county records have been indexed and digitized by volunteers and are available at no cost through FamilySearch. For records more than a century old, these platforms often have better coverage than official state databases. The Adams County Public Library in Decatur may also hold local history collections with older marriage record data.

The Indiana Courts public records portal at in.gov/courts/public-records has information on how to access court records, including older marriage filings in Adams County.

Adams County Marriage Records Laws

Indiana marriage law is found primarily in Indiana Code Title 31, Article 11. This sets the rules for who can marry in Indiana, what a marriage license requires, and how the license must be issued. Adams County follows these laws for every license it issues. The law requires both parties to appear in person, which is why the clerk's office requires appointments with both applicants present.

Access to public records, including marriage licenses, falls under Indiana Code 5-14-3. This law gives the public the right to view and copy most government records, including marriage records held by the Adams County Clerk. Certain details in vital records may be restricted under IC 16-37-1-10, which limits access to some personal data in vital records to protect privacy. The balance between public access and privacy is set by state law, and the clerk's office follows these rules when handling record requests.

If you need legal help with a marriage-related matter in Adams County, the Indiana Legal Help website has resources and referrals for residents who cannot afford an attorney.

Cities and Towns in Adams County

All cities and towns in Adams County obtain marriage licenses from the County Clerk in Decatur. There are no cities in Adams County with a population over 25,000, but residents of Decatur, Berne, Monroe, and Geneva all file at the same clerk's office at 112 S 2nd St, Decatur, IN 46733.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Adams County. Each has its own Clerk of the Circuit Court for marriage records.