Decatur County Marriage Record Search
Decatur County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg, Indiana. The clerk's office processes all marriage license applications for the county, issues licenses, and maintains official records. Whether you are applying for a new license, searching for a past Decatur County marriage record, or requesting a certified copy, this page explains who to contact, what to bring, and how to use the state's online marriage license database.
Decatur County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Decatur County Clerk's Office
The Decatur County Clerk's Office is at 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244, Greensburg, IN 47240. Clerk Janet Howell, serving a term from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026, leads the office. The main phone number is 812-663-8223 and the fax is 812-662-6627. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is the office for all Decatur County marriage license applications and record requests.
You can find marriage license instructions and requirements at decaturcounty.in.gov/clerk/marriage-license-information. The Clerk's Office main page at decaturcounty.in.gov/clerk has general contact info, hours, and links to other clerk services. Both pages are good starting points before your visit.
The Decatur County marriage license information page linked above shows the current requirements, fees, and step-by-step instructions for applicants in Greensburg.
The Decatur County Clerk's page confirms office hours, contact information, and the online application process for marriage licenses in the county.
| Office | Decatur County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Janet Howell (2023-2026) |
| Address | 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244, Greensburg, IN 47240 |
| Phone | 812-663-8223 |
| Fax | 812-662-6627 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Resident Fee | $25 |
| Out-of-State Fee | $65 |
| Website | decaturcounty.in.gov/clerk |
How to Apply for a Decatur County Marriage License
One or both applicants must be a Decatur County resident to apply here. Both applicants must be over the age of 18. If either party is under 18, contact the clerk's office at 812-663-8223 before your visit to find out what additional steps apply. Bring a driver's license, state ID, or certified birth certificate as proof of identity. Both forms of identification must show your date of birth clearly.
Decatur County uses the statewide online application portal. You can start your application before going to the clerk's office at mycourts.in.gov/mlpublic. This is the Marriage License Public Portal for Indiana. Starting online may reduce your time at the clerk's office. However, you still must come in person to finalize the process. Both applicants must be present. The cost for the license is $25 for Indiana residents. Out-of-state applicants pay $65. Payment is made at the clerk's office when you complete your application.
Indiana law under Indiana Code 31-11 sets the rules for marriage licenses statewide. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not use it in that time, you will need to apply again. Online fee payments for some court services are available at public.courts.in.gov/pay. Ask the clerk's office which fees can be paid electronically before your visit.
Note: If you were previously married, be ready to provide information on how that marriage ended, including the date of dissolution or death of the former spouse.
Search Decatur County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is the primary online tool for searching Decatur County marriage records. It covers licenses issued from 1993 to the present. The search is free and does not require registration. You can search by name, county, or date range. Results show who was issued a license and the date it was issued.
The Marriage License Public Portal at mycourts.in.gov/mlpublic also handles online pre-applications for Decatur County. This is the same system used to start your license application before visiting the clerk in Greensburg.
For records before 1993, the MLPL will not have them. Contact the Decatur County Clerk's Office at 812-663-8223 for older records. Historical Decatur County marriage records may also be found through the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us and the Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara.
Decatur County Marriage Records and Indiana Law
Marriage records held by the Decatur County Clerk are public under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the state's Access to Public Records Act. Anyone can request to view or copy a marriage record from the county clerk. Vital records are further governed by Indiana Code 16-37-1-10, which may limit access to certain personal details depending on the age of the record and the relationship of the person requesting it.
Certified copies of Decatur County marriage records are available from the county clerk. For state-level certified copies, the Indiana Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records also processes these requests. The Indiana Courts public records portal at in.gov/courts/public-records covers court-filed documents and has information on how to request records across the state.
Historical Decatur County Marriage Records
Decatur County was established in 1821. Marriage records from the 19th century are held in historical archives. For genealogy research, the Indiana State Library's digital collection is a strong starting point. FamilySearch has indexed many early Decatur County marriages for free access. Ancestry also holds older Indiana marriage collections. If you need to trace family lines through Greensburg and the surrounding area, the clerk's office in Greensburg can tell you what years of records are held locally and what has been archived. Local libraries and historical societies in Decatur County may also hold microfilm or printed indexes of older marriage records.
Cities and Towns in Decatur County
Greensburg is the county seat and largest city in Decatur County. No city in Decatur County has a population over 25,000. Residents of Greensburg, Westport, Milhousen, and other communities in the county all apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office at 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244 in Greensburg. All Decatur County marriage records are maintained there.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Decatur County. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk who handles marriage license applications and records.