Randolph County Marriage Records Search
Randolph County marriage records are filed and maintained by the County Clerk's office in Winchester, where Clerk Melinda Peed handles all marriage license applications under Indiana Code 31-11. Located in eastern Indiana near the Ohio border, Randolph County charges slightly higher fees than many Indiana counties. This page explains how to apply for a Randolph County marriage license, what to bring, how much you will pay, and where to look up both recent and historical Randolph County marriage records through Indiana's state systems.
Randolph County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Randolph County Clerk's Office
The Randolph County Clerk's Office is in the courthouse in Winchester, Indiana. Clerk Melinda Peed oversees marriage license applications and other court records functions. The office operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Both applicants must be present at the same time to complete the application and receive the license. Indiana law under IC 31-11 requires both parties to appear in person, and the clerk's office cannot process a marriage license with just one person present.
Winchester is a small county seat in eastern Indiana. The courthouse is the main government building in town. When you arrive, locate the clerk's office and let staff know you are there for a marriage license. Having your documents organized before you walk in makes the process faster for everyone. The clerk's staff can answer questions about what you need, but it is better to know ahead of time what to bring.
| Office | Randolph County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Location | Randolph County Courthouse, Winchester, IN |
| Clerk | Melinda Peed |
| Hours | Monday-Friday |
| Fee (Resident) | $29 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $69 |
How to Apply for a Randolph County Marriage License
Indiana's online marriage license portal at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license is worth using before your visit to Winchester. The online form lets you enter your personal information in advance, so the clerk's office has less to enter when you arrive. You still need to appear in person together and pay the fee. Starting online is optional but can speed up the in-person visit.
Bring a valid photo ID for both applicants. A driver's license, state ID, or passport are all accepted. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the marriage ended, such as a certified copy of a divorce decree or a death certificate. Do not assume the clerk can verify prior marriages through a state database. Carry a physical document just to be safe.
No blood test is required in Indiana. No waiting period applies after the license is issued. The license is valid for 60 days from the date issued. Both applicants must be 18 or older.
Marriage License Fees in Randolph County
Randolph County charges $29 for Indiana resident couples and $69 when neither applicant lives in Indiana. These fees are slightly higher than the most common rates in Indiana, where many counties charge $25 and $65. The difference is modest but worth knowing before you go. Indiana Code 31-11 permits counties to set their own fee schedules within certain limits, which is why fees can vary from county to county.
The resident rate applies when at least one applicant lives in Indiana. If both people are out-of-state residents, the $69 fee applies. Pay at the clerk's office when you come in to finalize the application. After the wedding, the signed license must be returned to the Randolph County Clerk's office to be recorded. Once filed, you can request certified copies for name changes, insurance, and other legal matters.
Look Up Randolph County Marriage Records
The screenshot below shows the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup portal, which is the state's main tool for finding recent Randolph County marriage records by name.
The public lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is free and maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court. Search by name and filter to Randolph County. Records appear after the clerk's office enters them into the state system, so very recent licenses may not show up right away.
For older Randolph County marriage records, the Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy is a strong option. The Indiana State Library has digitized and indexed historical marriage records from across the state. Randolph County was established in 1818, making it one of Indiana's older counties. Some marriage records from the 1800s have been preserved in microfilm and digital collections. Genealogical societies in eastern Indiana have also indexed some Randolph County marriage records over the years, and those indexes may be searchable online through sites like FamilySearch.
Randolph County Marriage Records and Indiana Law
Marriage records in Indiana are generally public under IC 5-14-3, the state's Access to Public Records Act. Anyone can request a copy from the Randolph County Clerk. No relationship to the parties or stated reason is needed for a standard copy. Certified copies, which carry an official seal, are used for legal purposes and cost more than plain copies.
The screenshot below shows the Indiana State Library's genealogy resources page, a key tool for researching historical Randolph County marriage records.
The State Library holds microfilm and digitized records for many Indiana counties. Staff can help identify which specific collections cover Randolph County marriages from a particular time period.
Under IC 16-37-1-10, the Indiana State Department of Health also maintains some vital records. The ISDH vital records page at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages covers what the state holds. For Randolph County, the county clerk is the primary custodian of marriage records. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara is worth checking for historical materials transferred out of county custody.
Other Ways to Request Randolph County Marriage Records
If the online lookup does not show the record you need, contact the Randolph County Clerk directly. In-person requests are the fastest option. Mail requests are also accepted. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the marriage, and contact information for yourself. Include payment for copy fees if you are requesting a certified copy. The Indiana Public Records portal at in.gov/courts/public-records provides general guidance on accessing court and clerk records across Indiana.
Cities in Randolph County
Randolph County's main community is Winchester, the county seat and location of the clerk's office. No cities in Randolph County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. All marriage license applications for Randolph County residents are processed at the courthouse in Winchester.