Washington County Marriage Records
Washington County marriage records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Salem, the county seat of this south-central Indiana county. This page covers how to apply for a marriage license, what it costs, what you need to bring, and how to search and request Washington County marriage records online or by mail.
Washington County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court is Stephanie K. Rockey. The office is located at 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102, Salem, IN 47167. You can reach the office by phone at (812) 883-5748 or by email at clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov. This is the only office in Washington County that processes marriage license applications, so all couples who live in the county need to come to Salem to apply.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you plan to come in for a marriage license, try to arrive well before the 4:00 p.m. closing time to give the staff enough time to process your application. Arriving at 3:50 p.m. may not leave enough time for the clerk's staff to complete everything. Call (812) 883-5748 before your visit if you have any questions or want to confirm whether there is a specific cut-off time for marriage license processing.
Both applicants must appear in person together at the same time. Indiana Code IC 31-11 requires this. Neither applicant can go alone to start or complete the process. Both people need to be present, bring valid photo ID, and sign the application together at the clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Washington County
Washington County charges $25 for Indiana residents to get a marriage license. Out-of-state applicants pay $65. These are standard fees for many Indiana counties. Ask the clerk's office about acceptable payment methods when you call ahead, since smaller county offices sometimes have limited payment options. Bringing cash or a money order is usually the safest approach if you are unsure.
Once the license is issued, there is no waiting period in Indiana. You can use it the same day if you want. It is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not get married within 60 days, the license expires. You would then need to return to the Salem courthouse, complete a new application, and pay the fee again. Plan your ceremony date with this window in mind before you go to apply.
Requirements to Apply for a Marriage License
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply in Washington County without extra steps. If either person is between 16 and 17 years old, Indiana law requires a court order before the Clerk can issue a license. Anyone under 16 cannot legally marry in Indiana regardless of parental consent.
You need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A state driver's license, an Indiana ID card, or a U.S. passport all work. Indiana does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period between application and issuance. If either applicant has been previously married, be prepared to provide the date the prior marriage ended and whether it ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk may ask for a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate in some cases, so it is worth bringing those documents if they apply to your situation.
Search Washington County Marriage Records Online
The Indiana Supreme Court's free Marriage License Public Lookup tool at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is the main online resource for searching Washington County marriage records. It covers all Indiana counties and lets you search by name. The results show license dates, license numbers, and basic record information. No fee or account is needed to use the tool. If you are trying to confirm a marriage date or find a specific license number for a Washington County record, this is the right place to start.
The Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ holds older historical records from Washington County going back into the 1800s. Washington County was established in 1814, and the early marriage records from the county's first decades are part of the state's historical archive. This database, maintained by the Indiana State Library, is the primary resource for family history researchers working on Washington County ancestry. Some records include original document scans, which are particularly helpful when you need to verify handwritten entries from older records.
Indiana Marriage Law and Public Access
Indiana Code IC 31-11 governs marriage licenses across all 92 Indiana counties. It sets out who can apply, what identification is required, how the clerk handles applications, and what rules apply to minors. Washington County follows these statewide requirements. The clerk's role is defined by this statute, and Stephanie K. Rockey's office in Salem processes applications under its guidelines.
Indiana Code IC 5-14-3 is Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. It makes marriage licenses public records once they are filed with the county clerk. Any person can request a copy of a Washington County marriage record without having to explain why. For a certified copy that carries legal weight, you need to request it from the clerk's office or the state vital records office. Indiana Code IC 16-37-1-10 covers how vital records are maintained and reported from county offices to the state, establishing the long-term record-keeping rules that keep Washington County marriage records accessible for research and legal purposes long after the marriage takes place.
Online Application and Preparation
Indiana provides an online application tool at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license/ to help couples prepare before their in-person visit. You can enter basic information in advance. This can make your time at the Salem courthouse faster. The online application does not replace the in-person requirement. Both applicants still need to appear together at the clerk's office, show ID, and finalize the license with a clerk present.
If you have questions about what documents to bring or how the process works in Washington County specifically, call the clerk's office at (812) 883-5748 before your visit. You can also email clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov. Having all the right documents on your first visit is much easier than driving back to Salem for a second trip because something was missing.
Certified Copies and Record Requests
Certified copies of Washington County marriage records can be requested from Stephanie K. Rockey's office at 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102, Salem. Call (812) 883-5748 or email clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov to ask about the current fee per certified copy and whether mail-in requests are accepted. Certified copies with the clerk's official seal are the standard form required for name changes, government applications, and most legal purposes.
If you cannot travel to Salem, the Indiana Department of Health processes mail-in vital record requests. Their search fee is $8 and current forms are available at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/. For historical records from the 1800s or early 1900s, the Indiana State Archives may have additional materials beyond what the clerk's office currently holds. The archives can be searched at in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/vital-records/. The Indiana State Library genealogy resources at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm are also a strong resource for older Washington County records.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County does not have any cities that exceed 100,000 residents. Salem is the county seat and the largest community in the county. All Washington County residents apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office on S. Jackson Street in Salem.