Vigo County Marriage Records Search
Vigo County marriage records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Terre Haute, the county seat of this west-central Indiana county. If you are looking to apply for a marriage license, search for an existing record, or get a certified copy, this page has the details you need, including appointment requirements, fees that differ from the state average, and where to access historical records going back to 1818.
Vigo County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Vigo County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Vigo County Clerk of the Circuit Court is LeAnna Moore. The clerk's office is located at 33 South 3rd Street, Courthouse, 1st Floor, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807. The main phone number is 812-462-3215. This office handles marriage license applications, certified record requests, and other civil court records for Vigo County.
One thing that sets Vigo County apart from some other Indiana counties is that an appointment is required to apply for a marriage license. You cannot walk in without one. Contact the clerk's office at 812-462-3215 to schedule your appointment before making the trip to Terre Haute. This appointment requirement exists to manage office flow, so both applicants need to be present and on time. If you arrive late or one person cannot make it, you may need to reschedule.
As with all Indiana counties, both applicants must appear together in person at the same time. Indiana Code IC 31-11 requires this. One applicant cannot go alone and complete the process on behalf of both. Bring valid photo ID and any documents related to prior marriages if applicable.
Marriage License Fees in Vigo County
Vigo County charges $18 for Indiana residents to get a marriage license. That is lower than the standard $25 fee charged by many Indiana counties. Out-of-state applicants pay $60. These fees are set at the county level, and Vigo County has kept them below the state average, which can be helpful for couples on a budget who live in or near Terre Haute.
Even with the lower fee, the requirements are identical to every other Indiana county. Both applicants must be 18 or older, or have a court order if they are 16 or 17. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period after the license is issued. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If the license expires before the ceremony, you will need to apply again and pay the fee again.
Search Vigo County Marriage Records Online
Indiana's free online marriage record search is available at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. This Marriage License Public Lookup tool covers Vigo County and all other Indiana counties. You can search by name and see basic license information including dates and license numbers. No account or fee is required. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a marriage license was issued in Vigo County for a specific couple.
For historical research, Vigo County has a notable resource. Marriage records for Terre Haute and Vigo County from 1818 through 1958 have been digitized and made available online through a special local collection. These records span more than 140 years and include early entries from when Vigo County was first established. This kind of local digitization effort makes Vigo County research particularly accessible compared to many other Indiana counties where older records may only exist on microfilm or in the original courthouse files.
The Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ also covers Vigo County, particularly for records from the 1800s. This State Library resource is useful for genealogists looking for records that may not have made it into the local online collection. If you are trying to find a marriage from before 1900, searching both sources gives you the best coverage.
Indiana Marriage Records Law
Indiana Code IC 31-11 governs the marriage license process statewide, including Vigo County. It sets out who can apply, what documentation is required, and how the clerk must handle applications. The law also covers what happens when a license is not used within 60 days and what the process is for applicants who are minors.
Indiana Code IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, makes marriage licenses available as public records. Once a license is filed with the Vigo County Clerk, it is a public document. Anyone can request to see or copy it. Certified copies for legal use carry the clerk's official seal and are the format accepted by government agencies, insurance companies, and courts. Indiana Code IC 16-37-1-10 addresses how vital records are maintained and reported to the state, covering the record-keeping side of the process that happens after a marriage license is issued and used.
Online Application for Vigo County Marriage Licenses
Indiana provides an online application tool at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/ to help couples get started before their in-person visit. Using this portal, you can enter your information in advance and save time at the clerk's office. Given that Vigo County requires an appointment, completing the online pre-application before your scheduled visit is a good idea.
The online step does not replace the in-person requirement. You still need to come in, show ID, and have both applicants present at the same time. Think of the online application as a way to organize your information and potentially shorten your time at the courthouse. Call the Vigo County Clerk at 812-462-3215 to set up your appointment and ask whether they want you to complete the online form before you arrive.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies of Vigo County marriage licenses can be requested from the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 33 South 3rd Street in Terre Haute. Contact the office at 812-462-3215 to ask about current fees and whether you can request copies by mail. Certified copies carry the clerk's official stamp and are required for name changes, government applications, and other legal purposes.
If you need a marriage record from Vigo County but cannot make it to Terre Haute, the Indiana Department of Health processes mail requests for vital records. Their office charges an $8 search fee and provides certified documents that are legally equivalent to copies from the county clerk. Visit in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ for forms and current instructions. For records from before the mid-20th century, the Indiana State Archives may also hold relevant files. Check in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/ for archival holdings.
Cities in Vigo County
Terre Haute is the county seat and the largest city in Vigo County. It is the only city in the county that exceeds 100,000 residents and has a dedicated page on this site.