Vanderburgh County Marriage Records
Vanderburgh County marriage records go back to 1835 and are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Evansville. If you need to apply for a marriage license, request a certified copy, or look up past records in this southwestern Indiana county, this page covers where to go, what it costs, and how the process works from start to finish.
Vanderburgh County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Vanderburgh County Clerk's Office
The Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Circuit Court is Dottie Thomas. The office is located in the Civic Center Complex at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Room S240, Evansville, Indiana. If you need to mail something, use the postal address: PO Box 3356, Evansville, IN 47732. For general questions, call (812) 435-5188. Courthouse ceremony appointments go through a separate line at (812) 435-5719.
Office hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That said, if you are applying for a marriage license, you must arrive and begin the application process by 3:45 p.m. at the latest. The office does not start new license applications after that cut-off, even if the doors are still open. Plan to arrive well before 3:45 p.m. to give yourself time to fill out paperwork and complete the process without being rushed.
Both applicants must appear together in person. You cannot send one person alone to start the process for both. The requirement under Indiana Code IC 31-11 is that both parties apply at the same time, on the same visit.
Marriage License Fees and Payment
The fee for a Vanderburgh County marriage license is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state applicants. These fees are set at the county level and apply at the time of application. Certified copies of a marriage license cost $4 each. If you need more than one certified copy, you pay $4 for each additional copy.
Payment options in Vanderburgh County are somewhat limited. The clerk's office accepts cash, cashier's checks, and money orders. Personal checks are not accepted. If you want to pay by credit card, you can do so, but there is a $1.50 convenience fee added to the total. Bring the exact amount in cash or a money order if you want to avoid the card surcharge. It is worth calling ahead at (812) 435-5188 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit, since policies can change.
Who Can Apply and What to Bring
Indiana law requires both people getting married to be at least 18 years old to apply without additional steps. If either applicant is between 16 and 17 years old, a court order is required before the clerk can issue a license. Individuals under 16 cannot legally marry in Indiana under current law.
Both applicants need to bring valid government-issued photo identification. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If either applicant was previously married, you will need to know the date that prior marriage ended, whether by death, divorce, or annulment. The clerk may ask for supporting documentation in some cases. There is no blood test required in Indiana, and there is no waiting period once the license is issued. You can use it the same day if you want.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If you do not use it within that window, it expires and you would need to apply again and pay the fee a second time.
Courthouse Ceremonies in Vanderburgh County
The Vanderburgh County Clerk's office can perform civil marriage ceremonies at the courthouse. These are available by appointment only. If you want to schedule a courthouse ceremony, call the dedicated ceremony line at (812) 435-5719. Walk-in ceremonies are not available. You need to book your appointment in advance and confirm the date, time, and any requirements with the clerk's staff before arriving.
Courthouse ceremonies in Evansville are a practical option for couples who want a simple, legal marriage without arranging a separate officiant or venue. The clerk or a deputy clerk performs the ceremony. This is separate from a marriage license application, so you still need to get your license through the normal process before the ceremony can take place.
Search Vanderburgh County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Supreme Court operates a public search tool for marriage license records. The Marriage License Public Lookup (MLPL) at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL lets you search statewide records by name and county. Vanderburgh County records in this system go back several decades. The search is free and does not require an account. Results show basic license information including names, dates, and license numbers.
The Indiana State Library also maintains the Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/, which covers older historical records. Vanderburgh County records dating back to 1835 are part of this archive. This is particularly useful if you are doing genealogy research or looking for records that predate the modern court database. Many early Vanderburgh County marriage records are indexed here and include original document images in some cases.
For a broader statewide search, the Indiana Department of Health vital records office at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ processes search requests for an $8 fee. This is a good option when you need a certified document and want to request it by mail rather than visiting the Evansville courthouse in person.
Indiana Marriage Records Law and Access
Marriage records in Indiana are governed by several statutes. Indiana Code IC 31-11 covers marriage license requirements, including who can apply, what documentation is needed, and how licenses are issued. Indiana Code IC 5-14-3 is Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, which establishes the right of the public to access government records including marriage licenses. These two statutes work together to define both the creation and the public availability of marriage records in Vanderburgh County and across the state.
Indiana Code IC 16-37-1-10 deals with vital records more broadly, covering how marriage records are filed and retained at the state level. Under these laws, a marriage license is a public record once it has been issued and filed. Anyone can request a copy. However, if you need a certified copy for legal purposes, such as a name change or benefits application, you generally need to request it from the Vanderburgh County Clerk's office directly or through the Indiana Department of Health.
The online application portal at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/ lets you start the process before your in-person visit. Completing the pre-application does not waive the requirement to appear in person. Both applicants still must show up together with valid ID to finalize the license.
Historical Vanderburgh County Marriage Records
Vanderburgh County was established in 1818, and marriage records have been kept here since 1835. That is nearly 190 years of records. The county seat, Evansville, grew quickly as a river town on the Ohio River, and the volume of marriage records reflects that growth over time. Early records from the 1800s are fragile and have been digitized in many cases to preserve them.
Researchers looking for historical Vanderburgh County marriage records have several options. The Indiana Legacy Database covers much of the pre-20th century period. The Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne also holds one of the most comprehensive genealogy collections in the Midwest, with Indiana marriage records from many counties including Vanderburgh. Local libraries in Evansville may also hold microfilm or digitized records from earlier periods. Contacting the Vanderburgh County Clerk's office directly is the best starting point for records from the mid-20th century forward.
Certified Copies and Record Requests
If you need an official certified copy of a Vanderburgh County marriage license, you can get one from the clerk's office at the Civic Center Complex in Evansville. The cost is $4 per copy. You can request copies in person during office hours. Mail requests may also be possible; call (812) 435-5188 to confirm the process and current requirements before sending anything by mail.
Certified copies are the standard document used for legal name changes, Social Security updates, passport applications, and similar official purposes. A printout from an online database is generally not accepted for these uses. Only a certified copy with the clerk's official seal is recognized as a legal record. If you are unsure whether a certified copy or a plain copy is sufficient for your purpose, check with the agency requesting the document before you make the trip to Evansville.
Cities in Vanderburgh County
Evansville is the county seat and the largest city in Vanderburgh County. It is also the only city in the county with a population above 100,000, making it the main urban center for southwestern Indiana.