How to Find Indiana Marriage Records

United States US Vital Records How to Find United States Marriages Indiana Vital Records Indiana Marriages

Indiana became a state in 1816, created from Indiana Territory. Marriage records were recorded as each county was created.

Finding Indiana Marriage Records

• 1816 - county clerks began to record marriage records
• 1958 - county clerks began sending copies to the state
• Indiana marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Choose a time period: Before 1958 1958 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1958

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1487-2007	On Findmypast ($)
Ancestry, Marriages, 1810-2001	On Ancestry; ($); INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1811-1959	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		2,315,411

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1780-1992	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		1,008,158
Ancestry, Marriages, 1800-1941	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	3,245,823
Indiana State Library, Marriages, to 1850	On Indiana State Library; free		~330,000
Ancestry, Marriages, to 1850	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	199,945
Ancestry, Marriages, 1802-1892	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	199,807

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local family history center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the circuit court clerk.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the circuit court clerk.

OR

• View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
• Some microfilms are available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1958 to Present

• Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred
• 1958 - county clerks began sending copies to the state

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Index and Images
Database Name	Link or links to access database		# of records
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1487-2007	On Findmypast ($)
Ancestry, Marriages, 1810-2001	On Ancestry; ($); index and images INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
Indiana State Library, Marriages, 1958-2012	On Indiana State Library; free; index only		Undisclosed

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

• Copies may be ordered from the county:  Clerk of Circuit Court or Clerk of Superior Court.

• Copies may be ordered from the Indiana Department of Public Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		From IN Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

• Indiana
• Indiana Online Genealogy Records
• Indiana Vital Records
• Learn more about U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. birth records
• How to find U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. death records
• United States Record Finder
• United States, How to Use Marriage Records
• United States Marriage Records
• United States Vital Records
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• Locating United States Vital Records

• Indiana, Marriages, 1780-1992, ($), index.
• Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959, ($), index and Images.
• Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959, ($), index and Images.
• Web: Indiana, Marion Public Library Marriage Index, 1831-2008 ($)

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.