Search Johnson County Marriage Records
Johnson County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk's office in Franklin, a fast-growing county just south of Indianapolis that has seen rising demand for marriage license services in recent years. The clerk's office at 5 East Jefferson Street handles all license applications, records requests, and certified copies. This page covers how to apply for a Johnson County marriage license, the fees and requirements, how to search past records online, and which cities in the county have dedicated records pages.
Johnson County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Johnson County Clerk's Office
The Johnson County Clerk's Office is at 5 East Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131. The main phone number is (317) 346-4450. For questions specifically about marriage licenses, there is a direct line at (317) 346-4467. The office is open Monday through Friday. Franklin is the county seat and the courthouse is centrally located in the downtown area, with street parking and nearby public lots available.
Johnson County borders Marion County to the north, and many couples from the Indianapolis area choose to apply here. The clerk's office serves a growing population and handles a high volume of license applications. If you plan to come in on a Monday or Friday, call ahead to ask about typical wait times. The dedicated marriage license line at (317) 346-4467 can answer questions before you drive out.
| Office | Johnson County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 5 East Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131 |
| Phone | (317) 346-4450 (main); (317) 346-4467 (marriage licenses) |
| Hours | Monday-Friday |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Johnson County
Both applicants must appear in person at the Johnson County Clerk's office in Franklin. Indiana law under IC 31-11 requires both parties to be present during the application. You cannot complete the process online, by mail, or through a representative. Bring valid photo identification. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID works for each person.
If either applicant was previously married, you need to know when and how that marriage ended. The clerk will ask for the month and year of dissolution and whether it ended by divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. This is a standard statewide requirement under IC 31-11. You typically do not need to bring copies of divorce decrees or death certificates, just the factual details.
The license fee for Indiana residents is approximately $25. Out-of-state applicants, meaning those where neither person is an Indiana resident, pay a higher rate around $65. One applicant being an Indiana resident is enough to qualify for the lower rate. Call (317) 346-4467 to confirm the exact current fee before your visit. Fees can change and confirming in advance avoids any surprises at the counter. Ask about accepted payment methods at the same time.
Couples can begin the process online at Indiana's official marriage license portal, which lets both parties fill out a pre-application before the in-person visit. This step is not required in all counties but can speed things up at the Franklin courthouse. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Johnson County Clerk within 30 days to complete the official marriage record.
Search Johnson County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup is the fastest way to search Johnson County marriage records from 1993 to the present. You can filter by county and enter a name to find matching records. The results show the issue date and county. This is a free public tool with no login required. It does not produce a certified copy but confirms whether a license was issued and provides key reference details.
The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup provides free access to Johnson County marriage records from 1993 onward, searchable by name with results showing license dates and county details.
For Johnson County records before 1993, check the Indiana Legacy Database. This resource from the Indiana State Library contains digitized marriage registers and indexes going back to the 1800s in many Indiana counties. Johnson County's historical records have been partially indexed there. The Legacy Database is free and does not require a library card.
Legal aid is also available to Johnson County residents who have questions about marriage or family law. Indiana Legal Help offers free online guides explaining Indiana marriage laws, name change procedures, and related topics. This is not a records search tool but a helpful resource for understanding your rights and options under state law.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
You can request a certified copy of a Johnson County marriage record from the clerk's office in Franklin. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by courts, government agencies, and financial institutions for legal purposes. Call (317) 346-4467 to ask about the current copy fee and whether requests can be made by mail or online, or whether an in-person visit is required.
The Indiana State Department of Health issues certified marriage record abstracts for marriages recorded from 1958 onward. ISDH accepts requests online, by mail, or in person in Indianapolis. The state fee is different from what the county charges. If you live far from Franklin or prefer to handle the request remotely, ISDH is a practical option. Processing times vary based on method and current request volume.
Indiana marriage records are public under IC 5-14-3. Anyone can request access to the basic marriage record. Certain personal details may be protected under IC 16-37-1-10, but the fact of a marriage, the parties' names, and the date are all public information. You do not need to explain why you want the record or prove a family connection to receive a copy.
Marriage License Rules in Johnson County
Indiana's rules under IC 31-11 apply uniformly across all counties. Johnson County does not add local requirements on top of the state baseline. Both applicants must be 18 or older without a court order. Applicants who are 16 or 17 must obtain a court order under IC 31-11-7 before the clerk can issue a license. No blood test is needed. There is no waiting period after the license is issued.
The license is valid for 60 days. Plan your application date carefully relative to your wedding date. If you apply more than 60 days before your ceremony, the license will expire and you will need to apply again. Most couples apply within two to four weeks of their ceremony date to stay well within the 60-day window. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the county clerk within 30 days. Under IC 31-11, failure to return the signed license does not automatically void the marriage, but it leaves no official paper record.
Officiants authorized under Indiana law include clergy, judges, mayors in their county, and city or town clerk-treasurers. The Johnson County Courts in Franklin handle civil ceremony scheduling. Contact the courts directly for information on whether judges are available for ceremonies and whether there is a scheduling process or fee involved.
Johnson County Historical Marriage Records
Johnson County was formed in 1822 and its marriage records date back to the early 19th century. For genealogical research, the Indiana State Library Genealogy Division holds microfilmed county marriage registers and statewide name indexes. Researchers working on family trees with roots in the Franklin area will find the state library's collections useful for records that predate electronic databases.
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division in Indianapolis holds historical Johnson County marriage registers and microfilm indexes reaching back to the county's earliest records in the 1820s.
The Johnson County Public Library in Franklin may also hold local genealogical collections compiled by county researchers. Local genealogical societies have indexed many older marriage records that are not part of statewide digital databases. If you are looking for a specific marriage from the 1800s or early 1900s and cannot locate it online, the library or a county genealogical group is a good next step. The Indiana Archives and Records Administration is another resource for older documents transferred from counties over the years.