St. Joseph County Marriage Records
St. Joseph County marriage records are managed by the County Clerk's office in South Bend, where Clerk Amy Rolfes oversees all marriage license applications under Indiana Code 31-11. As one of Indiana's larger and more urban counties, St. Joseph County processes a high volume of marriage licenses each year and maintains an extensive archive of historical records. This page covers how to apply for a marriage license, what the fees are, where to find older records, and how to use Indiana's state databases and the county's own archives to look up St. Joseph County marriage records.
St. Joseph County Marriage Records Quick Facts
St. Joseph County Clerk's Office
The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office is located at 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601. Clerk Amy Rolfes and her office can be reached by phone at 574-235-9635. The office follows a Monday through Friday schedule and handles marriage license applications along with its full range of court and public records functions. Both applicants must appear in person together to finalize the license. Indiana law under IC 31-11 does not allow one person to complete the process alone on behalf of a couple.
South Bend is St. Joseph County's county seat and the largest city in the county. The courthouse at 101 South Main Street is a central downtown location. If you are coming in for a marriage license, the clerk's office is your first stop. Parking downtown can be limited, so plan for that if you are driving. The clerk's office at 574-235-9635 can answer questions about current wait times, any temporary procedural changes, and specific documents needed for your situation.
| Office | St. Joseph County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Amy Rolfes |
| Address | 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601 |
| Phone | 574-235-9635 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
Applying for a Marriage License in St. Joseph County
Couples planning to marry in St. Joseph County can start the application online at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license. The state's online portal lets you enter personal information before your in-person visit, reducing the time you spend at the counter. You still must appear at the clerk's office together and pay the fee to receive the license. Starting online is optional but saves time.
Both applicants need a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. If either person was previously married, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate is what the clerk needs. Indiana law does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period once the license is issued. The license is valid for 60 days. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. One applicant must be an Indiana resident to obtain a license in St. Joseph County under IC 31-11.
Military personnel should ask about fee exemptions for certified copies. Some copy fees are waived for active duty military members.
Vital Records and County Archives in St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County has several offices that handle different types of records, and it is worth knowing which one you need. The County Clerk at 101 South Main Street handles marriage licenses and marriage records. For birth and death records, the relevant office is the St. Joseph County Health Department, located at the County-City Building, 8th Floor, 227 West Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, reachable at (574) 235-9750. Note that the Health Department handles birth and death records only, not marriage records. Do not go there for a marriage license.
The St. Joseph County Archives and Records Center is at 1140 S Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, and can be reached at 574-235-9091. This office maintains older county records, including historical court and clerk materials. If you are searching for a St. Joseph County marriage record from decades ago and it is not showing up in the online lookup, the Archives and Records Center may have what you need. Call 574-235-9091 to ask about their holdings and how to make a request.
Officiants and Wedding Ceremonies in St. Joseph County
Once you have your marriage license, you need a qualified officiant to perform the ceremony. Most clergy, civil officials, and judges can officiate in Indiana. One local option worth knowing: the Mishawaka City Clerk's office may officiate wedding ceremonies for couples in the area. If you are planning a civil ceremony rather than a religious one, check with the Mishawaka City Clerk or the county clerk's office for details on local officiant options. After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the St. Joseph County Clerk's office to be officially recorded.
Search St. Joseph County Marriage Records Online
The screenshot below shows Indiana's Marriage License Public Lookup portal, the primary state tool for searching St. Joseph County marriage records by name.
The lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is free and maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court. Search by name and filter to St. Joseph County to see records in the state system. Recent licenses may take a short time to appear after the clerk's office processes them.
For older St. Joseph County marriage records, the Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy holds digitized historical materials from the Indiana State Library. St. Joseph County was organized in 1830, so marriage records span nearly two centuries. Some of those older records have been indexed and digitized, while others may require a direct request to the county archives or the State Library. The Archives and Records Center at 1140 S Lafayette Blvd is a good resource for records that go back several decades but predate the online systems.
Public Access and Indiana Records Law
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, makes marriage records generally open to the public. Anyone can request a St. Joseph County marriage record from the clerk's office. No stated reason is required for a plain copy. Certified copies, used for legal purposes, carry an official seal and cost more. Military members may be exempt from some copy fees; ask the clerk when making a request.
The screenshot below is from the Indiana State Library's genealogy resources page, which has finding aids and database links relevant to St. Joseph County historical marriage records research.
The State Library holds microfilm for many Indiana counties, and their genealogy staff can help identify what is available for St. Joseph County specifically. Their collection is extensive for this region of Indiana.
Under IC 16-37-1-10, the Indiana State Department of Health also maintains vital records at the state level. The ISDH vital records page at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages explains what the state office holds. Remember that the Health Department in St. Joseph County handles only birth and death records. Marriage records belong to the county clerk. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara is another option for older materials.
Cities in St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County is home to two qualifying cities with their own pages. South Bend is the county seat and the largest city in the county, where the clerk's office is located at 101 South Main Street. Mishawaka is the second city in the county and sits just east of South Bend. Residents of both cities apply for marriage licenses at the St. Joseph County Clerk's office in South Bend.