Madison County Marriage Records
Madison County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Anderson, Indiana. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, records completed certificates, and provides certified copies to the public. This page covers the application process at the Madison County Clerk, how to search existing marriage records through state and county resources, fees, and what Indiana law says about public access to these documents.
Madison County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Madison County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Madison County Clerk, Linda S. Smith, handles marriage licenses for the county from the courthouse in Anderson. The office is at 16 E 9th St, Anderson, Indiana. You can call 765-641-9443 with questions about hours, fees, or what documents to bring. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Both applicants must come in together. You cannot file for a marriage license alone or by mail.
Before you go, the Indiana online marriage license application lets you get a head start on the paperwork. Completing the form online before your visit can cut down on time at the clerk's window. You still need both parties present to sign in front of the clerk. The staff at Madison County will verify your documents and issue the license the same day under normal circumstances.
Both people must show valid, unexpired photo ID. Previous marriages require documentation of how they ended.
| Office | Madison County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Linda S. Smith |
| Address | 16 E 9th St, Anderson, IN |
| Phone | 765-641-9443 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday |
| Resident Fee | $25 |
| Out-of-State Fee | $65 |
| License Valid | 60 days |
How to Get a Marriage License in Madison County
Indiana law under IC 31-11 governs how marriage licenses work across the state. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is no waiting period. The license can be used the same day it is issued. It stays valid for 60 days. If you do not get married within those 60 days, the license expires and you need to go back and apply again from scratch.
The fee for Madison County residents is $25. If either person lives outside Indiana, the fee goes up to $65. Once the ceremony is complete, the person who performed it must sign the license and send it back to the Madison County Clerk's office. The clerk records it, and that becomes the official marriage record. You can then request certified copies from the office once the record is filed.
If you were married before, bring proof of how it ended. That means a final divorce decree, an annulment judgment, or a death certificate. The clerk needs to see it before issuing the new license.
Search Madison County Marriage Records Online
Indiana's free statewide marriage record search tool covers Madison County and every other county in the state. The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL gives results for licenses issued from 1993 to the present. Enter a name and the system returns matching records with the county, date, and names of both parties. No fee, no registration, no account needed. It is open to anyone.
The lookup tool does not show older records. For marriages before 1993, the Indiana Legacy Database covers historical records for Madison County. This database, maintained by the Indiana State Library, includes scanned images and indexes that predate the current state database. If you are searching for a family member who married in Madison County decades ago, the Legacy Database is the best place to start.
The Marriage License Public Lookup is updated regularly and is the primary tool for modern Madison County marriage searches.
The state lookup tool is free and covers all Indiana counties, giving you quick access to Madison County marriage license data from 1993 forward.
Certified Copies of Madison County Marriage Records
Certified marriage record copies carry legal weight that plain printouts do not. You need one for official tasks like updating a name with the Social Security Administration, applying for a passport, or handling insurance or estate matters. The Madison County Clerk issues certified copies of records the office maintains. Call 765-641-9443 to find out current fees and how to submit a request.
The Indiana State Department of Health also issues certified copies of marriage records statewide. Under IC 16-37-1-10, the state maintains a separate vital records file. The state charges $8 per certified copy and accepts mail-in requests through the ISDH vital records page. State processing can take several weeks. County copies are often faster, particularly if you can visit the Anderson office in person.
Historical Marriage Records in Madison County
Madison County was formed in 1823, and marriage records go back to the county's earliest years. Older records are stored at the courthouse and may also be accessible through the Indiana State Archives. The Indiana Archives vital records collection includes county-level documents for genealogy and historical research. Researchers can contact the archives to find out what Madison County materials are held there and how to request access.
The Indiana State Library is another route for older Madison County marriage records. The library's genealogy collections at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm include microfilm, digitized documents, and typed indexes for many Indiana counties. Some of the indexing projects from the 1930s produced detailed records of 19th-century marriages that were never entered into any digital system. These older indexes are still useful and often lead researchers to records they could not find any other way.
The Indiana Legacy Database pulls together many of those older records in one searchable interface.
The Legacy Database is the go-to resource for pre-1993 Madison County marriage records, covering genealogy research across central Indiana.
Public Access to Madison County Marriage Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 makes most marriage records open to inspection. The Madison County Clerk must process records requests and may charge a copying fee, but cannot deny access to public marriage records without legal cause. You do not need to explain why you want the record or show any relationship to the parties. Marriage licenses are public documents by default under Indiana law.
The few exceptions include records sealed by court order or records involving minors. Those are rare. For normal adult marriage records, the public has a clear right of access. If you believe a request was improperly refused, the Indiana Public Access Counselor's office handles disputes and can provide guidance on how to push back. Most requests at the county clerk level go through without any problem.
Cities in Madison County
Anderson is Madison County's largest city and seat of county government. It has a dedicated records page for residents looking for local information.
Other communities in Madison County include Elwood, Alexandria, and Pendleton. These cities do not have separate records pages but all use the Madison County Clerk in Anderson for marriage license services.