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General Information
In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license.
This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the
knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies
from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau
at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.
You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least
one month before
your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth
certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't,
however, want to
apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses
do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.
When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification
and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need
to provide any information about previous marriages, will need to have
completed blood tests (to make sure you are not too closely related or
have any kinds of diseases you should know about), and will need to pay a nominal fee.
You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so
plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need
to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate.
You'll have to write that name on the application.
And, believe it or
not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does
not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the
peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day,
you'll give
your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, she or he will sign
it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.
ID Requirement: Drivers license or identification card or other id showing current
address and date of birth. Bringing a certified copy of your birth certificate
is recommended because some counties require it if you are younger than
30.
Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the
time of applying. Residency Requirement: Indiana residents must apply in the
county in which one of them lives.
Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Previous Marriages: You will need to know how the marriages ended (death, divorce,
annulment) and the month and year the marriages ended. A few counties require
a copy of the divorce decree if divorced within the last two years.
Fees: Indiana
residents: $18; residents of other states/countries: $60.
Personal checks not accepted.
Other Tests: Women under the age of 50 must bring a completed State of Indiana
Premarital Examination Certificate. These are available through your family doctor
or any RediMed, StatCare, or other urgent care clinic. Blood tests or premarital
examinations for men are not required.
Under 18: A certified copy of your birth
certificate is required. If you are 17 years old, you must apply for the license
with both parents (or the person with legal custody). They will need to sign
the consent portion of the application. If you are 16 or 15 years old, you must
petition the Circuit Court via a "Permission to Marry" form. The cost for filing
this petition is $120.00 even if the Judge refuses to allow the couple to marry.
Proxy Marriages: No.
Cousin Marriages: Permitted when both individuals are at least sixty-five (65)
years of age.
Common Law Marriages: No. Indiana does recognize common law marriages
legalized by another state.
Same Sex Marriages: No.
Officiants: Marriages may be performed by a member of the clergy (including a
minister, priest, bishop, rabbi, and imam), a judge, a magistrate, a clerk of
the circuit court, or a clerk or clerk-treasurer of a city or town.
Valid: License
is valid for 60 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Indiana.
Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The
above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license
office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.
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