Find a Marriage License in Brownsburg
Brownsburg residents apply for a marriage license through the Hendricks County Clerk's office in Danville, the county seat. The Brownsburg town clerk handles local municipal records but does not issue marriage licenses. If you live in Brownsburg and want to get married in Indiana, you head to the Hendricks County Courthouse to get your license. This page explains the process, costs, and what documents to bring when applying for a marriage license as a Brownsburg resident.
Brownsburg Quick Facts
Where Brownsburg Residents Apply for a Marriage License
The Hendricks County Clerk's office in Danville is the only place to get a marriage license for Brownsburg residents. Danville is the county seat of Hendricks County, located about 15 miles southwest of Brownsburg on US-36. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both applicants to appear together in person at the clerk's office in the county where at least one of them lives. You cannot apply by mail or send a representative in your place.
| Office | Hendricks County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Hendricks County Courthouse 500 E. Main Street Danville, IN 46122 |
| Phone | (317) 745-9231 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | hendrickscounty.gov |
Brownsburg is one of the fastest-growing towns in Indiana, and many couples from the area head to Danville to apply. The drive from Brownsburg to the Danville courthouse is short. Call (317) 745-9231 before you go to confirm hours and any local policies. Hendricks County policies can vary, and it is worth verifying that you have everything needed before making the trip.
Note: Brownsburg has its own town clerk-treasurer (Ann Hathaway) who handles local government records, but that office does not process marriage license applications.
Documents You Need to Apply
Both people applying for a marriage license in Hendricks County must bring proof of identity and age. Under IC 31-11-1-4, applicants must be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 can only apply with a juvenile court order that fully emancipates them and grants approval to marry. There are no exceptions to this rule at the Hendricks County Clerk's office.
For identity and age, bring one of these:
- Valid Indiana driver's license or state-issued ID
- Passport (U.S. or foreign)
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID card
- Immigration or naturalization record with date of birth
You also need your Social Security number. Bring it to the office even if you do not have the card. If either applicant was married before, you must show that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased spouse is what the clerk needs. Have the original document ready, not just a photocopy.
The application also asks for both parents' full names, last known addresses, and birthplaces. Gather this information before you go so you are not searching for it at the counter in Danville. Local policies at Hendricks County may vary slightly, so calling ahead is always a good idea.
Marriage License Fees for Brownsburg Residents
The fee is $25.00 if at least one applicant is an Indiana resident. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. These fees are based on state law, with the base amount set by statute. Some counties add a $4.00 document fee, making the total $29.00 for residents in those counties. Call the Hendricks County Clerk at (317) 745-9231 to confirm the exact total before your visit.
Certified copies of the marriage license cost $4.00 each. Most Indiana clerk offices require cash for marriage license transactions. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call. If you need extra certified copies for legal purposes, request them when you apply rather than coming back later.
The Indiana Courts marriage license application page shows statewide requirements and provides the pre-application tool all Brownsburg residents should use before visiting the Danville office. The image below shows that state page.
The pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage is the same tool used by all Indiana couples. It is not county-specific, so Brownsburg residents use the same form as everyone else in the state before heading to the Hendricks County Clerk in Danville.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Brownsburg
Indiana requires a marriage license before a couple can legally marry, as stated in IC 31-11-4-1. To apply as a Brownsburg resident, both of you go to the Hendricks County Courthouse in Danville together. Bring your documents, fill out the application, and pay the fee. The clerk reviews everything and issues the license the same day in most cases.
Indiana Courts offers a pre-application tool at courts.in.gov/marriage that lets you fill in basic information before visiting the Danville office. Using the pre-application does not mean you skip the in-person visit, but it can make the process faster once you arrive. Both people still need to be there in person to sign and complete the application.
The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date, as required by IC 31-11-4-10. There is no waiting period in Indiana, so you can hold your ceremony the same day you receive the license if you choose. Once the wedding is done, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Hendricks County Clerk. The clerk records it as a permanent public record under IC 31-11-4-18.
Search Brownsburg Marriage License Records
Indiana maintains a free public database for marriage licenses issued since 1993. You can search it at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL by name, county, or date range. Filter by Hendricks County to find records related to Brownsburg-area couples. The database shows basic license information but does not provide certified copies.
Older marriage records are available through the Indiana State Library. The database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy covers marriages through 1850 and from 1958 to 2018. For gaps in that coverage, contact the Hendricks County Clerk directly. For a certified copy of a marriage record, you can also contact the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages for records since 1958 at $8.00 per copy, or use VitalChek for online ordering.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Under IC 31-11-6-1, Indiana allows judges, mayors, clergy, and other authorized persons to perform wedding ceremonies. Brownsburg couples have many options for where and how to hold the ceremony. No specific location is required. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the Hendricks County Clerk in Danville. That filing makes the marriage part of the permanent public record.
Note: Under IC 31-11-11-1, giving false information when applying for a marriage license is a Level 6 felony in Indiana.
Nearby Cities
Nearby Indiana cities with marriage license resources include Indianapolis (Marion County), Plainfield (Hendricks County), Carmel (Hamilton County), and Zionsville (Boone County).
Hendricks County Marriage License Records
Brownsburg is located in Hendricks County. The Hendricks County Clerk in Danville handles all marriage license applications and records for Brownsburg residents. For full county details, including office information and related marriage resources, visit the Hendricks County marriage license page.