Find Marriage Records in Elkhart County

Elkhart County marriage records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, with two office locations available to applicants in Goshen and Elkhart. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license, look up a past record, or get a certified copy, the Elkhart County Clerk handles all of it. This page covers the two-location process unique to Elkhart County, what you need to bring, fees, and where to search existing records online.

Elkhart County Clerk's Office Locations

Getting a marriage license in Elkhart County can be done at two locations. You can go to Goshen or Elkhart to get your license. The main office is at 1905 Reliance Road in Goshen. The administration office is at 117 North Second Street, also in Goshen. Both serve as pickup points for the actual license after you complete your application. The phone number for the Elkhart County Clerk is 574-523-2233.

Hours vary slightly by day. Monday hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday the office closes at 4:00 p.m. Monday is the only day with extended evening availability, so if you have trouble getting there during a normal workday, Monday afternoon is an option. All applicants must arrive at least 20 minutes before the posted closing time. If you show up at 3:45 p.m. on a Tuesday, the office may not process your application.

The Elkhart County Clerk's marriage license page at clerk.elkhartcounty.com has full details on both locations and current requirements.

The Elkhart County clerk page shows office locations, hours, fees, and step-by-step instructions for obtaining a marriage license in Elkhart County.

Applying for an Elkhart County Marriage License

Elkhart County has two ways to start the marriage license process. You can begin the application online before your visit or walk in and start at the clerk's office. Either way, both applicants must appear in person at the clerk's office to complete the application and pay. No one can finish the process remotely. Both parties need to be there together.

To start online, go to public.courts.in.gov/MLPL and follow the pre-application steps. Once you arrive at the clerk's office, bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license is the standard document. Both applicants must show ID. The fee for Indiana residents is $25. Out-of-state applicants pay $65. Certified copies are $4 each. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance. If your ceremony does not happen within 60 days, you must apply again.

Under Indiana Code 31-11, every couple must have a valid marriage license in hand before any ceremony can take place. Elkhart County follows these statewide rules for all applications.

Note: Applicants must be at the clerk's office at least 20 minutes before the posted closing time or the application may not be processed that day.

Search Elkhart County Marriage Records

The Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is the best place to search for Elkhart County marriage records from 1993 to the present. The search is free and open to anyone. You can look up by name, county, or date range. The tool pulls from the statewide database, so all Elkhart County licenses filed since 1993 should appear. Results show the names of the applicants and the date the license was issued.

For records before 1993, the online database will not help. You will need to contact the Elkhart County Clerk directly or check historical archives. The Indiana State Library's digital collection at digital.statelib.lib.in.us has older records from many Indiana counties. The Indiana Archives and Records Administration at in.gov/iara is another source for historical Elkhart County marriage records.

Certified Copies and Vital Records

Certified copies of Elkhart County marriage licenses cost $4 each. Request them at the clerk's office in Goshen or at the Elkhart location. You can also mail a written request to the clerk at 1905 Reliance Road, Goshen, IN 46526. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and payment. The clerk's office at elkhartcounty.com has contact information for requests.

The Indiana Department of Health maintains state-level vital records, including marriage records. Their office at in.gov/health/vital-records offers certified copies for $8 each. You can order online, by mail, or in person. The state office is a good backup if the county clerk cannot locate an older record or if you need a second copy from a different source.

Public access to government records, including marriage licenses, is protected under Indiana Code 5-14-3. Indiana Code 16-37-1-10 sets some limits on what vital record data may be shared. The Elkhart County Clerk follows both laws when handling record requests from the public.

Historical Elkhart County Marriage Records

Elkhart County has a long record-keeping history. For genealogical research into older Elkhart County marriages, several databases can help. FamilySearch has free indexed records for many Indiana counties going back to statehood. Ancestry and FindMyPast also hold digitized records from Elkhart County's earlier years. The Indiana State Library has physical and digital collections that include Elkhart County marriage records from the 1800s through the mid-20th century.

For records that cannot be found online, a visit to the Elkhart County Public Library in Goshen or a written request to the clerk's office may turn up what you need. Older marriage records in Elkhart County were recorded in ledger books that have since been partially digitized. The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records has guidance on accessing court-based marriage records from prior decades.

Note: Historical records before the 1993 online database require direct contact with the clerk or a visit to a historical archive.

Legal Help in Elkhart County

If you need legal guidance related to marriage, divorce, or family law in Elkhart County, several resources are available. The Indiana Legal Help website at indianalegalhelp.org provides free information and referrals for residents who cannot afford an attorney. The site covers family law topics including marriage and vital records. Legal aid organizations serve the Goshen and Elkhart area for those who qualify based on income.

Cities in Elkhart County

Elkhart County has two cities with populations over 25,000. Residents of either city apply for marriage licenses at the Elkhart County Clerk's office in Goshen or the Elkhart location.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Elkhart County. Each has its own clerk's office for marriage records.