Ohio County Marriage Records
Ohio County marriage records are held by the Clerk of Courts in Rising Sun, Indiana's smallest county by area, located along the Ohio River in the southeastern corner of the state. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license, look up a past record, or get a certified copy of an existing Ohio County marriage document, the clerk's office in Rising Sun is the right place to start, and state databases cover records from 1993 forward.
Ohio County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Ohio County Clerk's Office
The Ohio County Clerk's Office in Rising Sun is led by Clerk Kristi Cate. The phone number is 812-438-2610. There is one important scheduling detail to know before visiting: the clerk's office is closed on Wednesdays. This is unusual compared to most Indiana county clerks, which follow a standard Monday through Friday schedule. Plan your visit for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. Call ahead to confirm current hours and any holiday closings.
Ohio County is one of Indiana's smallest and least populous counties. The clerk's office is compact, but staff can generally help visitors quickly. Because the county is small, there is rarely a long wait for marriage license services. Still, the Wednesday closure means you need to plan your visit on the right day. If you drive to Rising Sun on a Wednesday, you will find the office closed.
Both parties who plan to marry must appear together in person at the clerk's office. Indiana does not have a waiting period, so you can receive your license on the same day you apply. The license remains valid for 60 days. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, and know your Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring proof of how that marriage ended, such as a final divorce decree or death certificate.
Marriage License Fees in Ohio County
Ohio County residents pay $25 for a marriage license. People who live outside Indiana pay $65. These fees are consistent with most other Indiana counties. Payment is due at the time of application. Contact the clerk's office at 812-438-2610 to confirm current accepted payment methods, as some offices prefer cash or check over credit cards.
Unlike some private record services, the Marriage License Public Lookup maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court is free. You do not pay anything to search for a record in the public database. Fees only apply when you apply for a new license or request a certified copy of a record from the clerk's office or from the Indiana State Department of Health.
Search Ohio County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Supreme Court provides the Marriage License Public Lookup at no cost to users. This tool covers all 92 Indiana counties, including Ohio County, from 1993 forward. You can search by the name of either party, filter by county, or look up by date. The system returns basic record information including both names, the county, and the license date. No account or registration is needed to use it.
Access the Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to search Ohio County records from 1993 to the present. If you are trying to verify a marriage, find the date a license was issued, or locate a license number before requesting a certified copy, this is the fastest tool available.
Indiana's statewide marriage license search portal covers Ohio County records back to 1993. Visit public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to search by name at no charge.
Indiana Law Governing Ohio County Marriage Records
Indiana Code IC 31-11 is the main law that covers marriage in the state. It sets out who may marry, what documents are required to get a license, and what both the clerk and the officiant are required to do after the ceremony. Under this law, the officiant who performs the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Ohio County Clerk's Office, typically within a few days of the wedding. Once filed, the signed license becomes the official marriage record.
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 makes these records available to the public. Anyone can request to see or get a copy of an Ohio County marriage record without having to show a personal reason for the request. Marriage records are treated as public documents under Indiana law. Most are accessible within a short time after they are filed with the clerk.
IC 16-37-1-10 covers the preservation of vital records, including marriage documents, across Indiana. Ohio County is required to keep these records in good condition and make them available through established request procedures. If you are unsure whether a particular document is available or need guidance on how to request it, call the clerk's office in Rising Sun at 812-438-2610.
Historical Ohio County Marriage Records
Ohio County was organized in 1844. Its marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s are preserved through the Indiana Archives and the Indiana State Library's genealogy collections. The county's small size and long history make it a notable stop for genealogists tracing southeastern Indiana family lines. Some records from this period have been indexed in state databases, while others exist only in physical form at the courthouse or in archives.
The Indiana State Library's genealogy division holds historical records for Ohio County and surrounding southeastern Indiana counties. Learn about available resources at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm.
The Indiana Legacy Database is an online collection of digitized historical records that may include Ohio County marriage entries going back into the 1800s. Because older records sometimes have name transcription errors, try searching with alternate spellings of surnames and use date ranges rather than exact dates when possible. The Indiana Genealogical Society and the Ohio County Historical Society may also have indexes and abstracts that can help you narrow your search before requesting original documents from the clerk.
Getting a Certified Copy of an Ohio County Marriage Record
Certified copies of Ohio County marriage records can be requested from the clerk's office in Rising Sun. Call 812-438-2610 to find out the current process for mail or in-person requests. You will need to provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted as legal proof of marriage for name change requests, estate matters, insurance updates, and other official purposes.
| Service | Office / Source | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license (Indiana resident) | Ohio County Clerk, Rising Sun | $25 |
| Marriage license (out-of-state) | Ohio County Clerk, Rising Sun | $65 |
| Certified copy of marriage record | Ohio County Clerk, Rising Sun | Contact clerk for fee |
| Statewide record of 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 offers a statewide record of marriage search for $8. This is useful when you are not certain which county issued a license or when you need a search result rather than a certified copy of the actual document. Contact the ISDH vital records office for details on how to submit that type of request.
Cities in Ohio County
Rising Sun is the county seat and only incorporated city in Ohio County. Given the county's small population, no cities in Ohio County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents apply for marriage licenses and access records through the clerk's office in Rising Sun.