Search Grant County Marriage Records

Grant County marriage records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Marion, Indiana, where couples apply for licenses, request certified copies, and access filed documents. The clerk's office runs marriage license processing on a split schedule with a midday gap, and only accepts cash or money orders, so knowing those details before you show up can save a wasted trip. This page covers where to go, what to bring, how to search existing Grant County marriage records online, and where to find older historical documents.

Grant County Clerk's Office

The Grant County Clerk of the Circuit Court, led by Pamela Harris, is located in the basement of the courthouse at 101 E 4th St, Marion, IN 46952. Call (765) 668-8121 or reach the office by fax at (765) 668-6541. Email is available at clerk@grantcounty.net. General office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. But marriage license processing operates on its own shorter schedule.

Marriage license applications are accepted only during two windows each day: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The gap in the middle covers the lunch break. Arrive outside those windows and you will need to come back. These times apply Monday through Friday. Showing up at 11:45 a.m. or 3:45 p.m. means you do not get served that day. Plan your visit around those specific blocks of time.

The clerk maintains an online presence at clerk.grantcounty27.us, which lists contact details, license requirements, and payment rules. A state-managed county clerk page is also available at in.gov/counties/grant/courts/clerk.

The Grant County clerk website shows the split license schedule, cash-only payment rule, documentation requirements, and the link to start the online pre-application through the state portal.

The page makes clear that the office no longer performs ceremonies and that both parties must be present in person to complete the license application process.

Applying for a Marriage License in Grant County

Indiana now lets couples start the license process before their office visit. Go to courts.in.gov/marriage to complete an online pre-application. When you finish, save the license key number you receive. Bring that number to the clerk's office. The office noted: "A new feature now allows you to start the marriage application online by going to the website courts.in.gov/marriage." You still must appear in person with your partner to complete the process and pay.

What you bring depends on your age. Under 21 means you need both a birth certificate and a driver's license. Over 21 requires only a driver's license or an Indiana state ID. If you have been divorced before, bring a copy of the divorce decree. Grant County requires this. The clerk's FAQ page at in.gov/counties/grant/courts/clerk/frequently-asked-questions lists full documentation requirements.

The resident fee is $18. Out-of-state applicants pay $60. Only cash or money orders are accepted. No checks. No cards. The license is valid for 60 days once issued. Indiana Code IC 31-11 sets the state-level rules for marriage licensing that all Indiana counties follow, including Grant County.

One more note: the Grant County Clerk no longer performs marriage ceremonies. You need to arrange your own officiant before the 60-day window closes on your license.

Searching Grant County Marriage Records Online

The Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is the main free search tool for Grant County marriage records going back to 1993. Search by name, county, or date. No login is needed. Licenses issued in Grant County from 1993 forward should appear in this database. Results show both parties' names and the date the license was issued.

For records before 1993, the online database does not help. You need to contact the Grant County Clerk directly at (765) 668-8121 or visit the basement office in Marion. Older paper records are stored at the courthouse. The Indiana State Library's digital collection at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy holds older Indiana marriage records that may include Grant County entries. FamilySearch has indexed earlier records for many Indiana counties at no cost.

The Indiana State Department of Health also maintains a marriage index at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages covering records from 1958 forward. That search costs $8 and returns an index entry only, not a certified copy. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara holds historical vital records from across the state.

Getting Certified Copies of Marriage Records

The Grant County Clerk's Office issues certified copies of marriage records for documents held at the courthouse. Visit in person during marriage license hours or send a written request by mail. Address mail requests to: Grant County Clerk, 101 E 4th St, Marion, IN 46952. Include both parties' full names, the approximate date of the marriage, and a return address. Send only cash or a money order. Do not send personal checks.

The Indiana Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages offers state-level certified copies for marriages filed with the state. That is a separate process from the county clerk. Indiana Code IC 5-14-3 governs public access to records in Indiana. Indiana Code 16-37-1-10 places some limits on access to certain vital records data. Grant County follows both statutes in handling copy requests.

Historical Marriage Records for Grant County

Grant County's marriage records go back to the mid-1800s. For research into those earlier years, several resources can help. The Indiana State Library genealogy division at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm offers access to indexes and digitized records covering many Indiana counties. The Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy includes older marriage records that researchers have used to trace Grant County family history.

FamilySearch is among the best free tools for early Indiana marriage records. Their indexed Grant County data goes back to the 1800s and includes many entries not found online elsewhere. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records explains broader access rights to court-filed records across Indiana. If you need legal assistance with a marriage record matter, free help is available at indianalegalhelp.org.

Cities in Grant County

Marion is the county seat and the largest city in Grant County. Residents of all Grant County communities apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office in Marion. Marion has a population over 25,000 and has its own records page.

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