Indiana marriage licenses expire in exactly 60 days. This catches couples off guard more than any other rule in the state. If your ceremony is more than 60 days after you apply, your license will be invalid on your wedding day. There is no extension. Do not apply more than 8 weeks before your ceremony.
Who Issues Marriage Licenses in Marion County?
Marriage licenses in Marion County are issued by the Marion County Clerk's Office, located at the City-County Building, 200 East Washington Street, Room W122, Indianapolis, IN 46204. This is in downtown Indianapolis, directly across from Monument Circle.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Walk-in appointments are accepted — no advance scheduling required. Both applicants must appear together.
The $18 Fee — Indiana's Low-Cost Marriage License
At $18.00, Marion County's marriage license fee is one of the lowest in the country. Indiana sets the maximum allowable fee by state law (IC 36-2-7-10), and most counties have kept fees near the statutory floor. Compare this to $82 in Texas or $102 in Nevada — Indiana couples benefit significantly from the state's low fee structure.
Payment accepted: cash, check, or credit/debit card. Checks payable to "Marion County Clerk."
Required Documents
Both parties must bring to the clerk's office:
- Valid government-issued photo ID: Indiana driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Must not be expired.
- Social Security Number: Both applicants must provide their SSN. The physical card is not required, but the number must be stated or written on the application.
- Prior marriage information: If either party has been previously married, provide the full name of the prior spouse, the date the marriage ended (divorce finalized or spouse deceased), and the county/state where the divorce was granted. For divorces finalized within 30 days, a certified copy of the decree is recommended.
No birth certificate is required (unless you are a minor). No residency proof is required — Indiana does not require Marion County residency.
Understanding Indiana's 60-Day Expiration
Indiana Code §31-11-4-1 states that a marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. This is an absolute limit with no extension mechanism. The clock starts the moment the clerk's office stamps and issues your license.
Here's what 60 days means in practice:
- Applied January 1st → must marry by March 1st (approximately)
- Applied April 15th → must marry by June 14th
- Applied July 4th → must marry by September 1st
Most couples planning a wedding apply 4–6 weeks before the ceremony — this is comfortably within the 60-day window. The risk comes when couples apply months in advance (common with destination weddings or complex planning) or when the ceremony date shifts after the license is issued.
Apply no earlier than 7 weeks before your ceremony. This gives you 1 week of buffer before the 60-day expiration while still ensuring the license is valid on your wedding day. If your date changes, you may need to reapply — plan accordingly.
No Waiting Period — Marry the Same Day
Indiana has no mandatory waiting period (IC §31-11-4-1 contains no waiting period language). Your Marion County license is valid immediately upon issuance. If you apply at 9:00 AM, you can legally have a ceremony at 9:30 AM if you have an authorized officiant available.
This makes Marion County a practical option for couples who need to marry quickly — for legal, insurance, military deployment, or personal reasons.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony?
Indiana (IC §31-11-6-1) authorizes the following to perform marriage ceremonies:
- A judge of any Indiana court of record
- A mayor of any Indiana city or town
- An ordained or licensed minister, priest, rabbi, or other religious leader of any faith
- A clerk or clerk-treasurer of a circuit or superior court
In Marion County, Indianapolis Municipal Court judges and Marion County Superior Court judges can perform ceremonies. For courthouse elopements, contact the Indianapolis City-County Building and ask about magistrate or judge ceremonies — availability varies.
License Valid Anywhere in Indiana
A Marion County marriage license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Indiana. You can apply downtown Indianapolis and get married in Brown County State Park, at a Lake Michigan lakeshore venue, or in any other Indiana location.
After the Ceremony
The officiant must complete the return portion of the marriage license and file it with the Marion County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it and the marriage becomes a permanent public record. Certified copies cost $12.00 each through the Marion County Clerk or through VitalChek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both parties must appear in person, but they can apply at any Indiana county clerk's office — not just Marion County. The license is valid statewide regardless of which county issued it. Couples who live in suburban counties like Hamilton, Hendricks, or Johnson sometimes apply in Marion County for convenience, and vice versa.
The license becomes legally void and cannot be used. If you discover this before the ceremony, you must return to the Marion County Clerk's office, reapply, and pay the $18 fee again. A new 60-day window begins from the new issue date. You cannot "renew" or extend an existing license.
Yes. Indiana has no residency requirement. Out-of-state couples can apply at any Indiana county clerk's office. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Indiana. Note: if you want to get married in another state, you must apply in that state.
Indiana does not have an absent applicant procedure equivalent to Texas's affidavit process. Both parties must generally appear. Contact the Marion County Clerk's office directly at (317) 327-4740 to ask about any accommodation procedures for military deployment situations — policies can evolve and the clerk may have guidance not published online.
Marion County Clerk — Marriage License
200 E. Washington Street, Room W122, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 327-4740
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
indy.gov/agency/county-clerk