Access Putnam County Marriage Records
Putnam County marriage records are issued by the County Clerk's office in Greencastle, where Clerk Tracy L. Bridges handles all marriage license applications under Indiana Code 31-11. The county sits in west-central Indiana, and couples who live here must apply in Putnam County rather than any neighboring county. This page covers the full process: how to apply, what to bring, how much it costs, how to get copies, and how to look up historical Putnam County marriage records through state databases and the Indiana State Library.
Putnam County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Putnam County Clerk's Office
The Putnam County Clerk's Office is in the courthouse in Greencastle, which is the county seat. Clerk Tracy L. Bridges and the office staff handle marriage license applications along with other court and records functions. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Both applicants must come in together. Indiana law does not allow one person to appear alone to get a marriage license on behalf of a couple.
Greencastle is not a large city, but the courthouse is easy to find. If you have not been before, it sits in the center of town and is the main government building in Putnam County. When you enter, look for signs directing you to the clerk's office. Bring everything you need the first time to avoid a return trip. The process is straightforward once you have your documents in order.
| Office | Putnam County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Location | Putnam County Courthouse, Greencastle, IN |
| Clerk | Tracy L. Bridges |
| Hours | Monday-Friday |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
Applying for a Marriage License in Putnam County
Couples can start the application online at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license. That portal is run by the Indiana Supreme Court and lets you enter your personal information before you go to the courthouse. Starting online saves time at the counter. You still must appear in person with your partner to finalize the license and pay the fee. The online form does not issue the license. It just pre-populates the paperwork.
Bring a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all qualify. If either applicant has been previously married, bring documentation that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree or a death certificate works. The clerk's office may not be able to verify prior marriages through a database, so carry physical documents.
No blood test is required. There is no waiting period after applying. The license is valid for 60 days. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Fees and Copies for Putnam County Marriage Records
The marriage license fee in Putnam County is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 for couples where neither person lives in Indiana. Indiana Code 31-11 sets the framework for these fees, and at least one applicant must be an Indiana resident to qualify for the lower rate. The fee is paid when you come in to finalize the application at the clerk's office in Greencastle.
After your wedding, the signed license must be returned to the clerk's office to be recorded. Once it is filed, you can request certified copies for legal use. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are accepted by the Social Security Administration, the BMV, and other agencies when you need to change your name or update records. Call the Putnam County Clerk's office for current copy fees. The clerk's office is your primary point of contact for all marriage records in the county.
Search Putnam County Marriage Records Online
The screenshot below shows the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup portal, the state's main tool for searching Putnam County marriage records by name.
The lookup tool at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is free and requires no account. It is maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court and covers records submitted by county clerks across the state. Search by name and filter by Putnam County to narrow results. Very recent licenses may not appear immediately as there is a lag between issuance and entry into the state system.
For older Putnam County marriage records, the Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy is a strong resource. The Indiana State Library has digitized historical county records including marriage registers from the 1800s and early 1900s. Putnam County was established in 1822, so the earliest marriage records date back nearly two centuries. Some of those early records have been indexed and are searchable online, while others may require a direct request to the library or county.
Marriage Records and Indiana Public Records Law
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, generally makes marriage records available to the public. Anyone can request a Putnam County marriage record from the clerk's office. You do not need to be listed on the record or provide a reason. Plain copies are generally low cost. Certified copies carry a higher fee because they include the official seal and are used for legal purposes.
The screenshot below is from the Indiana State Library genealogy page, which has finding aids and databases for historical Putnam County marriage records.
The State Library's genealogy staff can help identify what collections cover Putnam County and point you toward the right microfilm rolls or digital indexes.
Under IC 16-37-1-10, the Indiana State Department of Health also maintains some vital records at the state level. The ISDH vital records page at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages explains what the state office holds. For Putnam County marriage records, the clerk is the primary custodian. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara holds older state and county materials and is worth checking for records that have been transferred out of the county system.
Additional Research Tips
If the state public lookup does not show what you are looking for, contact the Putnam County Clerk's office directly. In-person requests during business hours are the fastest option. Mail requests are possible too. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the marriage, and contact details for yourself. Include payment for any copy fees if you need a certified copy.
FamilySearch is a free genealogy site that indexes Indiana marriage records including some from Putnam County. Index entries on FamilySearch can point you to where the original record is held. Ancestry.com also holds Indiana marriage collections that may cover this county. The Indiana Public Records portal at in.gov/courts/public-records offers general guidance on accessing court records across Indiana.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County's main community is Greencastle, the county seat and home to the clerk's office. No cities in Putnam County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. All marriage license applications are processed at the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle.