Bloomington Marriage License Lookup

Marriage licenses in Bloomington are issued by the Monroe County Clerk at the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center on North College Avenue. Whether you are a student, a long-time resident, or someone planning to marry here from out of state, the Monroe County Clerk handles all marriage license applications for Bloomington. This page covers how to apply, what you need to bring, the fees involved, and how to look up existing marriage license records in Bloomington and Monroe County.

Monroe County Clerk - Where to Apply in Bloomington

The Monroe County Clerk's office is located inside the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center in Bloomington. This is where all marriage licenses for Bloomington and the rest of Monroe County are issued. Clerk Nicole Browne runs the office. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 says both applicants must appear together in person at the clerk's office in a county where one of them lives. Out-of-state residents can apply here if the wedding will take place in Monroe County.

The Monroe County Clerk's office also performs wedding ceremonies by appointment. If you want to get married at the courthouse in Bloomington, call the office to schedule. This is a simple, low-cost option for couples who want a civil ceremony without arranging a separate officiant.

Required Documents for a Bloomington Marriage License

Both people applying for the license must bring the same types of documents. Each applicant needs to prove their age and identity. Under IC 31-11-1-4, both parties must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need a juvenile court order that grants approval to marry and fully emancipates them before the clerk can issue a license.

Accepted ID types at the Bloomington office include a valid driver's license, state ID, passport, or certified birth certificate. You also need your Social Security number. If either of you was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or, if widowed, a death certificate. The Monroe County Clerk may ask for the full divorce decree, not just an informal notice of dissolution.

You will also need the full names, last known addresses, and birthplaces (state or country) for both of your parents. This is a standard part of the Indiana marriage license application form. Bring this information with you so you do not have to guess at the office.

Note: Non-English documents must be translated and notarized before the Monroe County Clerk can accept them as valid identification.

Marriage License Fees in Bloomington

Monroe County charges $29.00 for Indiana residents. That includes the base state fee of $25.00 plus a $4.00 document fee. Out-of-state residents pay $69.00. These fees apply to all couples applying at the Bloomington clerk's office. Certified copies of the marriage license are $4.00 each.

Most counties in Indiana require cash. Call (812) 349-2614 ahead of your visit to confirm what forms of payment are accepted at the Monroe County Clerk's office. Fees are set by a combination of state statute and county policy, so they can change. Confirming by phone takes just a minute and saves you the trouble of a second trip to the Bloomington courthouse.

Bloomington City Resources

The City of Bloomington's official website provides access to city services and information, though the city clerk does not issue marriage licenses. The image below shows the Bloomington city portal.

Bloomington is home to Indiana University and serves as the county seat of Monroe County. The city has about 80,000 residents and draws many couples from across the state and beyond who want to marry here. The Monroe County Clerk's office serves all of them from the Bloomington courthouse location on North College Avenue.

Applying for a Marriage License in Bloomington

Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-1 requires a couple to get a license before they can marry in the state. The process in Bloomington starts at the Monroe County Clerk's office. Both applicants come in together, show their documents, complete the application form, and pay the fee. The clerk reviews everything and issues the license, usually the same day.

You can save time with the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage. Fill in basic information before your visit to the Bloomington office, then bring your documents and the fee when you arrive. The pre-application does not replace the in-person visit, but it cuts down on the time you spend filling out forms at the counter.

Once issued, the license is good for 60 days under IC 31-11-4-10. Indiana has no waiting period, so you can get married the same day you pick up the license in Bloomington. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Monroe County Clerk, where it becomes a permanent public record. Under IC 31-11-4-18, the clerk must keep these records indexed and accessible.

Search Bloomington Marriage License Records

The state operates a free online database for marriage licenses issued in Indiana since 1993. You can search by name, county, or year at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. The database covers Monroe County records, including those from Bloomington. You can filter by county to narrow results. This tool gives you basic license information but not a certified copy of the actual record.

For older records, the Indiana State Library has two separate databases. One covers marriages through 1850, and another spans 1958 to 2018. Both are free and available at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy. The state library is at 315 West Ohio Street in Indianapolis if you need in-person research help.

To get a certified copy of a Monroe County marriage record, contact the clerk at (812) 349-2614. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages also issues Records of Marriage for marriages since 1958 for $8.00. Their mailing address is PO Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. You can also use VitalChek for online ordering with an added service fee.

Note: Certified copies of the full marriage certificate are only available from the Monroe County Clerk's office, not from the state health department.

Who Can Marry You in Bloomington

Indiana law at IC 31-11-6-1 gives a broad list of people who can legally perform a wedding ceremony. That includes judges, mayors, religious leaders, and others authorized under Indiana law. Bloomington and Monroe County have many options, from clergy at local churches to civil officiants. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the Monroe County Clerk.

If you give false information on the application, that is a Level 6 felony under IC 31-11-11-1. The clerk also cannot issue a license under IC 31-11-4-11 if either applicant appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if the parties are more closely related than second cousins.

Nearby Cities

Other nearby Indiana cities with marriage license information include Indianapolis (Marion County), Columbus (Bartholomew County), Greenwood (Johnson County), New Albany (Floyd County), and Terre Haute (Vigo County).

Monroe County Marriage License Records

Bloomington is the county seat of Monroe County. All marriage licenses for Bloomington residents are issued by the Monroe County Clerk. For complete county information, including the clerk's contact details, fees, and additional resources, visit the Monroe County marriage license page.

View Monroe County Marriage License Records