Find Marriage Records in Newton County
Newton County marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Courts in Kentland, a small rural county seat in northwestern Indiana near the Illinois border. If you need to apply for a marriage license, search for a past marriage document, or get a certified copy of an existing Newton County marriage record, the clerk's office is your main point of contact for current records and the state database covers those going back to 1993.
Newton County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Newton County Clerk's Office
The Newton County Clerk's Office in Kentland handles all marriage license applications for the county. The main phone number is 219-474-6081. Because Newton County is one of Indiana's smaller and more rural counties, the office serves a modest volume of requests, and staff can generally assist visitors without a long wait. Call ahead to confirm hours and any changes to procedures before your visit to the Kentland courthouse.
Both parties who plan to marry must go to the clerk's office together. Indiana has no waiting period, so you can receive your license the same day you apply as long as you have all required documents. The license is valid for 60 days. If you do not get married within that window, you will need to start the process over and pay the fee again. Plan your timeline carefully, especially if you are booking a venue or officiant well in advance.
Indiana residents applying in Newton County pay $25 for a marriage license. People who live outside Indiana pay $65. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need to provide your Social Security number. If either party was previously married, bring documents showing how that marriage ended, such as a final divorce decree or a death certificate.
Searching Newton County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Supreme Court provides the Marriage License Public Lookup tool, which is free and available to anyone. It covers licenses issued in all 92 Indiana counties from 1993 to the present. You can search by name, narrow by county, or browse by date range. For Newton County records from 1993 forward, this is the fastest and easiest search option.
The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL shows basic details for each record, including both parties' names, the issuing county, and the date of the license. The tool does not require registration and has no search fee. It is a reliable starting point for anyone trying to confirm a marriage, check a date, or locate a license number before requesting a certified copy.
Records before 1993 are not in this system. For older Newton County marriage documents, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly or use historical archives. The county's older records may also appear in state genealogy databases and microfilm collections held by the Indiana State Library and Indiana Archives.
Marriage License Application in Newton County
Indiana courts offer an online pre-application tool that lets you fill out basic information before going to the clerk's office. Using the pre-application can speed things up at the counter, especially if you complete it a day or two before your visit. The pre-application does not issue a license or hold a spot. Both parties still need to appear in person, show ID, and pay the fee.
The Online Marriage Application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license is run by the state courts system and covers all Indiana counties, including Newton. After you submit the form, bring your confirmation number to the Kentland clerk's office. Staff will review your information and complete the application before issuing the license.
Indiana's statewide marriage license search tool covers Newton County records from 1993 to the present. Use public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to search by name or county at no cost.
Public Access to Newton County Marriage Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 makes marriage records public documents. Anyone can request to see or get a copy of a Newton County marriage record without needing to show a personal connection to the parties involved. The law applies to records held by the county clerk and to records in state databases. Some very recent records may have a short delay before they appear in the public index.
Indiana Code IC 31-11 governs who can marry in Indiana, what the license process involves, and what the clerk and officiant are required to do. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Newton County clerk's office, typically within a few days. Once filed, the signed license becomes part of the official public record. Certified copies carry a legal seal and are treated as proof of marriage for name changes and other official purposes.
IC 16-37-1-10 covers the preservation of vital records in Indiana, including marriage documents. Newton County follows state rules for keeping and providing access to these records. If you have a question about what is available or how to request a document, the clerk's office in Kentland can walk you through the process.
Historical Newton County Marriage Records
Newton County was established in 1859, and records from the late 1800s and early 1900s are preserved in various state and local archives. The Indiana Archives holds vital records going back to the earliest days of the county. The Indiana State Library genealogy division has microfilm and digitized indexes that cover many northwestern Indiana counties, including Newton.
The Indiana State Library holds genealogy and historical records for Newton County going back to the 1800s. Visit in.gov/library/genealogy.htm for information on collections and research services.
The Indiana Legacy Database is an online collection of digitized historical records from across the state. Newton County entries in this database can help genealogists confirm marriages that predate the modern clerk's records. When searching old records, try alternate spellings of surnames and search by date ranges rather than exact dates, since older indexes sometimes have transcription errors from the original handwritten documents.
Newton County Marriage Record Requests
To get a certified copy of a Newton County marriage record, contact the clerk's office in Kentland. You will need to provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. The clerk's office will search the records and provide a certified copy for a fee. Certified copies are accepted for name change requests, insurance updates, and other legal purposes where proof of marriage is required.
| Request Type | Where to Go | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| New marriage license (Indiana resident) | Newton County Clerk, Kentland | $25 |
| New marriage license (out-of-state) | Newton County Clerk, Kentland | $65 |
| Certified copy of record | Newton County Clerk, Kentland | Contact clerk for fee |
| Statewide marriage search | Indiana State Department of Health | $8 |
| Online license search (1993+) | public.courts.in.gov/MLPL | Free |
The Indiana State Department of Health also runs a record of marriage search that covers all Indiana counties. That service costs $8 and is useful when you are not sure which county issued the license or when you need a search certificate rather than a full certified copy.
Cities in Newton County
Kentland is the county seat and largest community in Newton County. The county is rural, and no cities in Newton County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All residents apply for marriage licenses and access records through the clerk's office in Kentland.