Indiana Wedding Requirements: What You Need To Know

what is needed to perform a wedding in Indiana

To perform a wedding in Indiana, a couple must obtain a marriage license, which is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. The cost of the license varies depending on residency, with a $60 fee for out-of-state couples and an $18 or $25 fee for Indiana residents. The couple must also ensure that their wedding officiant is legally qualified to solemnize the marriage and sign the marriage license. While Indiana has a specific law that specifies who can solemnize a marriage, including various religious leaders and elected officials, officiants are not required to register with any government office.

Characteristics Values
Marriage license validity 60 days from the date of issuance
Waiting period None
Marriage license fee $25 for Indiana residents, $65 for out-of-state residents
Additional fee $4 for some offices
Certified copy of the marriage license $4
Identification documents Birth certificate, birth record, certification of birth, driver's license, immigration or naturalization record, US selective service card, armed forces record
Other documents Social Security card, documentation of prior divorce
Who can solemnize marriages Clergymen and religious leaders (priests, ministers, bishops, archbishops, imams, rabbis), elected officials, judges, clerks, members of the general assembly, etc.
Who cannot solemnize marriages Governor, lieutenant governor

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Marriage license and cost

To get married in Indiana, you need a marriage license and someone who is legally qualified to solemnize your marriage and sign the marriage license with you. This person is known as a wedding officiant.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk's Office in the county where you plan to marry or reside. Some counties, such as Huntington and Johnson, allow couples to start the application process online, but both applicants must still appear in person at the Clerk's Office to complete the application and receive their license.

In Indiana, a marriage license typically costs $25 for residents and $60 for non-residents. However, the fee varies by county. For example, in Johnson County, the fee is $31, while in Floyd County, it is $29 for residents and $69 for non-residents. Huntington County charges $25 for residents and $65 for non-residents, plus an additional $1 document fee and $3 for a certified copy of the marriage license.

When applying for a marriage license, both applicants must present valid government-issued identification with their date of birth and current address. This can include a driver's license, passport, or military identification. Applicants under the age of 18 may also need parental consent or a court petition. Additionally, applicants may be required to provide their Social Security Number, proof of previous marriages or divorces, and genealogical information.

Marriage licenses in Indiana are valid for 60 days from the date of issue, and couples can be married as early as the same day. The officiant must complete and return the marriage certificate(s) attached to the license to the issuing county clerk within a specified timeframe, typically 30 days.

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Who can officiate

To be legally married in Indiana, a couple must have a marriage license and someone who is legally qualified to solemnize their marriage and sign the marriage license with them. This person is known as a wedding officiant.

Indiana has a law (Indiana Code § 31-11-6-1) that specifies who can solemnize a marriage. This includes all ministers, including online-ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries and Universal Life Church. However, there are no laws or procedures requiring officiants to register with any government office. Simply put, once you are an online-ordained minister, you immediately have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Indiana.

The state of Indiana authorizes an exhaustive list of people to perform wedding ceremonies. This includes elected officials at the state and local levels, as well as judges and clerks. It also includes a wide range of clergy and religious leaders, including priests, ministers, bishops, archbishops, imams, and rabbis. Other religious actors specifically mentioned in the state code include duly authorized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, German Baptists, and adherents of the Friends Church or Baha'i faith.

If a minister has gone through Universal Life Church's online ordination, Indiana recognizes that person as a religious actor for legal purposes regardless of personal beliefs, gender, or state or country of residence. A minister can ensure that he or she has all the required documentation by ordering the Classic Wedding Package from ULC.

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Residency requirements

To be married in Indiana, a couple must have a marriage license. This license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, and there is no waiting period between when the couple receives the license and when the ceremony may be legally performed. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office by its date of expiry.

The cost of a marriage license varies depending on residency. The license fee is $25 if one or both parties are Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state residents. If neither party is a resident of Indiana, there is an additional $60 fee to obtain the marriage license, and an additional $2 filing fee in certain counties. Out-of-state couples must obtain their licenses from a clerk of the county where the wedding will be held. If either party is an Indiana resident, the licensing fee drops to $18.

The documentation required for the marriage license application varies by county, so it is recommended to confirm what is needed with the appropriate office before applying. Both parties need government-issued identification to confirm their addresses and ages. In some counties, a Social Security number or the date of divorce finalization is sufficient. Other counties require a certified copy of the divorce decree.

To apply for a marriage license, both parties must appear in person at the Clerk's Office in an Indiana county where one of the parties resides. For out-of-state residents, the license must be applied for in the Indiana county where the marriage will take place.

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Documentation and identification

To perform a wedding in Indiana, a couple must have a marriage license. This license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, and there is no waiting period between when the couple receives the license and when the ceremony may be legally performed. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office by its date of expiry. The documentation required for the marriage license application varies by county, so it is recommended to confirm what is needed with the appropriate office before applying.

Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk's Office in an Indiana county where one of them resides. If neither party is a resident of Indiana, the state charges a $65 fee for the marriage license, whereas Indiana residents only need to pay $25. Out-of-state couples must obtain their licenses from a clerk of the county where the wedding will be held. In addition, out-of-state couples may have to pay an additional $2 for filing in certain counties.

At the very least, both parties need government-issued identification to confirm their addresses and ages. Identification can include a certified copy of a birth certificate, a copy of a birth record, or a certification of birth issued by a state department of health or similar public office. A valid driver's license or other identification issued by a state or government entity that contains a date of birth and current address will also be accepted. Other accepted forms of identification include immigration or naturalization records, US selective service cards, or armed forces records showing the date of birth. If previously married, the date of the end of the marriage must be provided, and some counties require a certified copy of the divorce decree.

The marriage license must have two certificates attached: one marked "Original" and one marked "Duplicate". Each certificate must be filled out by the officiant after the ceremony and contain the names of the couple, the date, the Indiana county, and a statement that the couple was married by the officiant under a marriage license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county. One certificate is for the couple to keep, and the other must be taken by the officiant, along with the license, to the county clerk who issued them within 30 days of the ceremony.

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Time limits

In Indiana, a marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Couples who do not marry within this time frame must apply for a new license before marrying. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office by its date of expiry. There is no mandatory waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license and when the ceremony may be legally performed.

The documentation required for the marriage license application varies by county, so it is recommended to confirm what is needed with the appropriate office before applying. At a minimum, both parties require government-issued identification to confirm their addresses and ages. In some counties, a Social Security number or the date of divorce finalization is also necessary. Other documentation that may be required includes a certified copy of a birth certificate, a copy of a birth record, or certification of birth issued by a state department of health or similar public office. A certified copy of a judicial decree that establishes the date of birth is also accepted. A valid driver's license or other identification issued by a state or other governmental entity that contains the date of birth and current address is also sufficient. Accepted forms also include immigration or naturalization records, US selective service cards, or armed forces records showing the date of birth.

The marriage license fee is $25 if one or both parties are Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state residents. Some offices also charge an additional document fee of $4, and most counties require these fees to be paid in cash. If either the bride or groom is an Indiana resident, the licensing fee is reduced to $18, and if neither is a resident, an additional $2 filing fee may be required in certain counties.

Frequently asked questions

You will need a marriage license, which can be obtained from the Clerk's Office in the county where you plan to file. The documentation required for the marriage license application varies by county, but at the very least, you will both need government-issued identification to confirm your addresses and your ages. You may also need a Social Security card or documentation of a prior divorce.

The following people are authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in Indiana: elected officials at the state and local level, judges, clerks, and a wide range of clergy and religious leaders, including priests, ministers, bishops, archbishops, imams, and rabbis.

The marriage license fee is $25.00 if one or both parties are Indiana residents and $65.00 for out-of-state residents. Some offices also charge an additional document fee of $4.00.

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