Columbus Marriage License Records
Columbus residents apply for a marriage license through the Bartholomew County Clerk at 234 Washington Street in downtown Columbus. Columbus is the county seat of Bartholomew County, so the clerk's office is right in the city. Both applicants need to appear in person by appointment. This page covers where to go, what to bring, how much it costs, and how to look up marriage license records in Columbus and Bartholomew County.
Columbus Quick Facts
Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Columbus
The Bartholomew County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all marriage licenses for Columbus and the rest of Bartholomew County. Because Columbus is the county seat, the clerk's office is conveniently located in downtown Columbus at 234 Washington Street. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both applicants to appear in person at the same time. You cannot complete the application separately or send a proxy.
| Office | Bartholomew County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 234 Washington Street Columbus, IN 47201 |
| Phone | (812) 379-1600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | bartholomew.in.gov |
Bartholomew County requires an appointment. Do not show up without scheduling first. Call (812) 379-1600 to book your appointment and ask about current document requirements. The clerk can also answer questions about fees and accepted payment methods before your visit. Being prepared makes the whole process go much faster.
Note: The Columbus city government website at columbus.in.gov provides city services information, but the city does not issue marriage licenses.
What to Bring to the Columbus Clerk's Office
Both people applying must bring valid proof of age and identity. Under IC 31-11-1-4, each applicant must be at least 18 years old. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need a juvenile court order granting permission to marry and fully emancipating them before the Bartholomew County Clerk can issue the license.
Bring one of the following documents for each applicant:
- Valid driver's license or state-issued ID card
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Certified copy of birth certificate
- Military identification card
- Immigration or naturalization document showing date of birth
You also need your Social Security number. If either applicant was married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or the death certificate for a deceased spouse. The clerk needs the actual certified document, not a copy. Have it ready for your appointment so you do not delay the process.
The application form also asks for both parents' full names, last known addresses, and birthplaces. Gather this before your appointment. If you do not have a parent's address, call the clerk's office at (812) 379-1600 before your visit to find out how to handle it.
Marriage License Fees in Columbus
The fee for Indiana residents is $25.00. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. Both fees are set by state law. Certified copies of the marriage license are $4.00 each. Ask the clerk at your appointment if you need extra copies for legal, financial, or name-change purposes. It is easier to get them all at once than to come back later.
Most Indiana clerk offices take cash only. Call (812) 379-1600 to confirm payment methods for the Bartholomew County office. Fees are reviewed periodically and can change, so it is good to confirm the current amount when you schedule your appointment.
Columbus Indiana City Page
The Columbus city portal shows local government services available to Columbus residents, as shown in the image below.
Columbus has about 51,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Bartholomew County. The Bartholomew County Courthouse where the clerk's office is located sits in the heart of downtown Columbus, making it easy to reach from most neighborhoods in the city.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Columbus
Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-1 requires a marriage license before a couple can legally marry in the state. In Columbus, the process starts with calling the Bartholomew County Clerk at (812) 379-1600 to schedule an appointment. Then both of you come in together, present your documents, fill out the application form, and pay the fee. The clerk issues the license the same day in most cases.
You can get a head start by using the online pre-application tool at courts.in.gov/marriage. This lets you fill in basic details before your appointment. It does not replace the in-person visit, but it can speed things up at the Columbus office. Both applicants still need to show up in person and sign the final application with the clerk present.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, as required under IC 31-11-4-10. Indiana has no waiting period. You can hold the ceremony on the same day you get the license if you want. After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the Bartholomew County Clerk. The clerk records it and keeps it as a permanent public record under IC 31-11-4-18.
Search Columbus Marriage License Records
Indiana provides a free online database at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL for marriage licenses issued in the state since 1993. You can search by name or filter by county to find records from Bartholomew County. This covers Columbus marriage license records going back to 1993 and gives you basic information like applicant names and the date the license was issued. It does not include certified copies.
For records before 1993, the Indiana State Library has genealogy databases at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy that cover marriages through 1850 and from 1958 to 2018. For gaps in coverage, contact the Bartholomew County Clerk directly. If you need a certified copy of a Columbus marriage record, contact the clerk's office or order through the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages for $8.00 per copy for records since 1958. The VitalChek service also handles online orders for Indiana vital records with an added fee.
Getting Married in Columbus
Under IC 31-11-6-1, marriages in Indiana can be performed by judges, mayors, religious leaders, and other authorized individuals. You can hold the ceremony anywhere in the state. Many couples marry in Columbus itself since the clerk's office is convenient and the city has many venues. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the Bartholomew County Clerk.
Note: Under IC 31-11-11-1, knowingly giving false information on a marriage license application in Indiana is a Level 6 felony.
Nearby Cities
Nearby cities with marriage license information include Greenwood (Johnson County), Indianapolis (Marion County), Bloomington (Monroe County), and Franklin (Johnson County).
Bartholomew County Marriage License Records
Columbus is the county seat of Bartholomew County, and all marriage licenses for Columbus residents are issued by the Bartholomew County Clerk. For complete county-level information and related marriage license resources, visit the Bartholomew County marriage license page.