Process for Obtaining Indiana Marriage Records

There are many strange regulations in various parts of the US. For example, in the State of Virginia, chickens must lay their eggs between 8am and 4pm. In Miami, it is illegal to imitate an animal. In Kentucky, you must bath at least once a year. In Indiana, it is illegal to dress Barbie in Ken’s clothes.

Luckily however, there are no such strange laws in the state when it comes to getting your copy of marriage records.

As is the case with all the other states in the United States of America, the local and county authorities of Indiana are legally bound to maintain and update all the vital statistics that includes birth and death records, and also marriage records. In addition, when you ask the authorities to provide you a copy of the marriage records, they are legally bound to do so. In Indiana, just as is the case everywhere elsewhere in the US, there are no legal implications when you ask for the marriage records. You can legally get your copy. There are absolutely no problems at all.

Why You May Want to Access Indiana Marriage Records

The fact is, public records are not confidential government information and so mostly there are no restrictions. Records of courthouse marriages are often good sources of information. So whether you need this information for a lawsuit, to find out more about whom your child is getting married to, just want to ensure that the person whom you are yourself getting married to is not already married, or want to know more about a co-worker, marriage records from the courts can give you the information you need.

In most cases, those who ask for Indiana marriage records are carrying out a genealogy research project. Perhaps you want to find out more about your great-grandfather whom you know settled in the state and was married there. Or, perhaps you are trying to locate your long-lost uncle or aunt. Marriage records can help you in this as well.

Making a family tree is a great exercise and you are sure to feel nostalgic and closer to your dynasty in the process. Searching the marriage records can help you do this.

No matter what the reason why you want to access your copy of the marriage records, you can now do this easily. There was a time when the church used to maintain them. That is now no longer the case. Since the local and state government now do this, you can be sure that the information you receive is accurate.

Where to Find Your Indiana Marriage Records

In the State of Indiana, birth and death records began to be maintained by the local and state authorities from 1882 onwards and so these records are quite extensive. The marriage records have been maintained at the county level from even earlier – from as far back as 1800.

If you want to get your copy of marriage records and even for the birth and death records, you will need to send your application to the county clerk of the county that concerns you. You can write a request to the State Department of Health at:

Indiana State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

If your Indiana marriage records are not available with the State Health Department, which can often be the case, the application will be forwarded to the Clerks of the Circuit Court in the particularly county that is applicable in your case.

The fees that will be charged will vary from one case to another.

What to Do When You Want a Copy of IN Marriage Records

When you submit a request for your copy of a marriage record, you need to provide some information. The fact is, you will need to provide as much information as you can to ensure that the information that you get back from them is accurate.

It may not be uncommon that there are two people who have the same name and if this is the case then there is room for confusion. Thus, when you want a copy of the marriage license you need to provide the following information:

•    The husband’s full name (the last name should be in capital letters)
•    The wife’s full maiden name (the last name should be in capital letters)
•    The date when the marriage took place
•    The place where the marriage happened
•    Your relationship to the parties
•    You need to state why you need access to the record
•    Your own address and name
•    Your own state and driver’s license number (this is necessary in some counties)
•    Your signature

Additional Advice to Help You Access the Marriage Records:

•    Your application letter should be to the point and concise.
•    Never make more than just 1 or 2 requests at a time. Never include confusing family details.
•    It is always better to type the addresses and names in the letter.
•    Provide as much information as possible such as every name that could have been used, alternative spellings, nicknames etc.
•    Make a list of dates and types of events accurately (as much as possible). If it is difficult to specify the date, include the span of years that you want searched. Try to narrow it down to the maximum possible.
•    Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application.

Receiving Your Marriage Records In the State Is Easy

You can quite easily receive your copy of Indiana marriage records. You can also receive your copy very fast and without any hassles too. Since you can obtain them legally, the process is very smooth as well.

The Internet has made this process even easier for you. There are now services online as well that let you submit a request for records through the Web. This means that there is no need for you to write that letter anymore. All you have to do is just visit the website and click, and your request is on its way to the proper authorities.