Access Daviess County Marriage Records
Daviess County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Washington, Indiana. The clerk's office processes all marriage license applications, issues licenses on the same day, and keeps official records for the county. Whether you need to apply for a new license, search existing Daviess County marriage records, or get a certified copy of a past marriage document, this page explains the process, the required documents, the fees, and where to search online.
Daviess County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Daviess County Clerk's Office
The Daviess County Clerk's Office is led by Clerk Lauren Milton and operates from two locations in Washington, Indiana. The courthouse location is at 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN. A second office is at the Government Center, 300 E. Hefron St., Washington, IN. Reach the clerk's office by phone at 812-254-8664. The office handles all marriage license applications and maintains the official record of marriages in Daviess County.
You can view marriage license information and current requirements at daviess.org/1216/Marriage-Licenses. The Clerk's Office main page at daviess.org/1210/Clerks-Office has contact details, office hours, and links to other clerk services. Both pages are worth checking before your visit to confirm any updates to procedures or fees.
The Daviess County marriage license page linked above shows the official requirements and fee details for applicants in Washington, Indiana.
The Daviess County Clerk's page confirms office locations, fees, and what documents you need to bring when applying for a marriage license in the county.
| Office | Daviess County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Lauren Milton |
| Courthouse Address | 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN |
| Gov. Center Address | 300 E. Hefron St., Washington, IN |
| Phone | 812-254-8664 |
| Resident Fee | $29 (includes 2 certified copies) |
| Out-of-State Fee | $69 (includes 2 certified copies) |
| Website | daviess.org/1210/Clerks-Office |
How to Apply for a Daviess County Marriage License
Both applicants must apply for their license in person at the same time. You cannot send a proxy or submit the application alone. This is a firm requirement. The Daviess County Clerk's Office will not process an application unless both parties are present together. Plan your visit accordingly and make sure both of you are available during office hours.
Proof of date of birth is required. Acceptable documents include a current driver's license, state ID, birth certificate, passport, or military ID. If either applicant is under 18, a court order is required. If either party was previously married, you must provide the month, year, and manner in which that marriage ended. You will also need the full names of both your father and mother, including your mother's maiden name, and the residence and birthplace of your parents.
The fee for Daviess County residents is $29, paid at the time of application. This fee includes two certified copies after the marriage has been recorded. Out-of-state applicants pay $69 and also receive two certified copies. A marriage license is issued on the same day of application and is valid for use on that day and for 60 days after. You can start your application online before your visit at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license. That step is not required but may save time at the office.
Under Indiana Code 31-11, Indiana residents obtain their license in the county where at least one of them lives. Out-of-state applicants get their license in the county where the ceremony will take place. Daviess County follows these rules for all applications.
Search Daviess County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers Daviess County marriage licenses issued from 1993 to the present. The search is free. You can look up records by name, county, or date range. Results show who received a license and the date it was issued. No account is needed to use the tool. For records going back further, the MLPL will not help. Those require a visit to the clerk's office or a search through historical archives.
The Daviess County marriage license page at daviess.org/1216/Marriage-Licenses also has links to online resources and instructions for applicants. For historical records, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us and the Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara are both worth checking.
Note: The MLPL database shows license records. It does not include the signed return or the final marriage certificate.
Daviess County Marriage Records and Indiana Law
Marriage records held by the Daviess County Clerk are public records under Indiana Code 5-14-3. This law gives anyone the right to view or copy government records, including marriage licenses. Vital records have additional rules under Indiana Code 16-37-1-10, which may restrict access to certain personal details depending on the record's age and the requestor's relationship to the parties. The clerk's office follows both laws when handling record requests.
For certified copies at the state level, the Indiana Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records can process requests for Daviess County marriage records. The county clerk and the state health department are both valid options. Indiana court records more broadly are accessible through in.gov/courts/public-records.
Historical Daviess County Marriage Records
Daviess County has records dating back to the early 1800s. For older marriage records, genealogy researchers should start with the Indiana State Library's digital collection at digital.statelib.lib.in.us. FamilySearch has indexed many early Daviess County marriages at no cost. Ancestry also holds collections of older Indiana marriage records from the county. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara may have older vital records that complement what the county clerk holds on-site in Washington. Contact the clerk's office at 812-254-8664 for guidance on what records are kept locally versus archived elsewhere.
Cities and Towns in Daviess County
Washington is the county seat and largest city in Daviess County. No city in Daviess County has a population over 25,000. Residents of Washington, Odon, Elnora, and other communities in the county all apply for marriage licenses at the Daviess County Clerk's Office in Washington. All marriage records for the county are maintained at that same office.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Daviess County. Each maintains its own marriage records through the Circuit Court Clerk.