Find Jackson County Marriage Records
Jackson County marriage records are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts in Brownstown, Indiana, which issues all marriage licenses, stores filed marriage documents, and processes certified copy requests for the county. The clerk also handles voter registration, elections, passport applications, child support payments, and several other county functions, making it one of the busier county offices in southern Indiana. This page covers how to apply for a Jackson County marriage license, what to bring, how to search existing records online, and where to find older historical marriage documents.
Jackson County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Jackson County Clerk's Office
The Jackson County Clerk's Office, staffed by Piper Shoemaker, is at 109 S. Sugar Street, Suite 130, Brownstown, IN 47220. The primary phone number is (812) 358-6116. A secondary line at (812) 358-6118 is also available. Fax is (812) 803-2901. For email inquiries, contact pshoemaker@jacksoncounty.in.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification to apply for a marriage license.
The Jackson County Clerk described the office's role this way: "The county clerk is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, processing new case filings, processing bond money, child support payments, passport applications, helps with voter registration and elections." Marriage license issuance is one of many services the office handles. The clerk office at Brownstown serves all Jackson County communities for marriage licensing purposes.
The resident fee in Jackson County is $18. Out-of-state applicants pay $60. These are among the lower fee levels in Indiana. Valid identification is required for both applicants. If either party has been previously married, documentation showing the end of that marriage is required. The Jackson County clerk page at jacksoncounty.in.gov has current contact information and general details about the office.
| Office | Jackson County Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Piper Shoemaker |
| Address | 109 S. Sugar Street, Suite 130, Brownstown, IN 47220 |
| Phone | (812) 358-6116 / (812) 358-6118 |
| Fax | (812) 803-2901 |
| pshoemaker@jacksoncounty.in.gov | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Fee (Resident) | $18 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $60 |
Applying for a Jackson County Marriage License
Start the process online at courts.in.gov/marriage to complete a pre-application and receive a license key number. Save that number and bring it to the Brownstown courthouse along with all required documents. Both applicants must be present in person at Suite 130 to complete the application and pay. The office is open until 4:30 p.m., which gives couples a slightly longer window than many Indiana county clerks who close at 4:00 p.m.
Valid identification is required for all applicants. Standard documents include a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. If either applicant has been divorced before, bring documentation showing the marriage ended. At least one applicant must be an Indiana resident to apply in Indiana. Both must be 18 or older, or have a juvenile court order under Indiana Code IC 31-11-7 if aged 16 or 17. No blood test is required. Indiana Code IC 31-11 sets the statewide rules for Indiana marriage licensing.
There is no waiting period after the license is issued. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The resident fee of $18 is below what many Indiana counties charge, and the out-of-state fee of $60 is similarly lower than typical. Jackson County is in southern Indiana, and couples from nearby Lawrence, Scott, and Washington counties sometimes apply here as well.
Search Jackson County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is the primary free database for Jackson County marriage records from 1993 to the present. Enter a name and select Jackson County to find matching license records. No account is needed. Results show both parties' names and the license issue date. This tool covers all 92 Indiana counties and is the fastest way to find a recent Jackson County marriage record without visiting the Brownstown courthouse.
For records before 1993, contact the Jackson County Clerk at (812) 358-6116. Earlier records are in paper form at the courthouse. The Indiana Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages maintains a statewide marriage index from 1958 forward, available for $8 per search. That search returns an index entry only, not a certified copy. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara holds historical vital records transferred from Indiana counties, which may include older Jackson County marriage documents.
Certified Copies of Jackson County Marriage Records
Certified copies of Jackson County marriage records are available at the Brownstown courthouse. Visit the clerk's office in person at Suite 130 during office hours, or submit a written mail request to Jackson County Clerk, 109 S. Sugar Street, Suite 130, Brownstown, IN 47220. Include both parties' full names, the approximate date of marriage, and your return address with payment. Contact the clerk's office at (812) 358-6116 to confirm current copy fees before mailing your request.
Indiana Code IC 5-14-3 establishes public access rights to records in Indiana. Marriage records are generally public under this law. Indiana Code 16-37-1-10 places some limits on certain vital records data, but does not typically block access to marriage license records. Free legal help for Jackson County residents dealing with family or marriage record issues is available through indianalegalhelp.org. The Indiana Judicial Branch at in.gov/courts/public-records explains how to navigate public record access across the Indiana court system.
Historical Jackson County Marriage Records
Jackson County has kept marriage records since the early 1800s. For genealogy research into those earlier periods, the Indiana State Library at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm is a strong starting point. The Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy holds digitized older Indiana records that may include Jackson County marriage entries from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Indiana Archives vital records page catalogs what historical Jackson County vital records are held at the state level, giving researchers a clear picture of what is available before contacting the Brownstown courthouse or searching local collections.
The Indiana Archives catalog is searchable online and identifies which Jackson County marriage records have been transferred to state custody, allowing genealogists to request copies without traveling to Brownstown for documents that may already be available through the archives.
FamilySearch has indexed many early Jackson County marriage records and offers free access to historical Indiana documents. The Indiana State Library genealogy division maintains in-person research resources for those who can visit Indianapolis to access older Jackson County records not yet available online.
The State Library genealogy collection includes indexes, microfilm, and reference materials covering Jackson County and neighboring southern Indiana counties, providing a broad foundation for historical marriage research beyond what online databases currently offer.
Cities in Jackson County
Jackson County has no cities that meet the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city records page. Brownstown is the county seat. Seymour is the largest city in Jackson County but falls below the threshold for a dedicated page. All Jackson County residents apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office at 109 S. Sugar Street in Brownstown.