Crown Point Marriage License Records
Crown Point is the county seat of Lake County, and the Lake County Clerk Marriage Office at 2293 N. Main Street handles all marriage license applications for Crown Point and the surrounding Lake County communities. Crown Point has a long history as a marriage destination, drawing couples for over a century. Today, the process is the same as anywhere else in Indiana, but the city's legacy as a famous elopement spot gives it a unique place in the state's marriage history. This guide covers how to apply, fees, what to bring, and how to search records.
Crown Point Quick Facts
Crown Point: Indiana's Famous Marriage Destination
Crown Point was once known across the country as Indiana's "Gretna Green." In the late 1800s and early 1900s, couples traveled from Chicago and other nearby cities to Crown Point specifically to get married quickly. Indiana had no waiting period, which made Crown Point extremely popular for elopements. Famous couples who married in Crown Point include heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis and entertainers who wanted a fast, simple ceremony.
The phrase "I'll meet you in Crown Point" became a well-known expression in the early 20th century for couples who wanted to elope. Today the tradition lives on in a different way. Crown Point still has no waiting period, meaning you can get your license and get married the same day. The city takes pride in this history, and local venues around the Lake County Courthouse still cater to couples looking for a quick but meaningful ceremony.
Note: Crown Point is still listed in Indiana historical records as one of the state's top elopement destinations, alongside Steuben County and Evansville.
Lake County Clerk Marriage Office in Crown Point
The Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office is where you apply for a marriage license in Crown Point. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both applicants to come in together at the same time. You cannot apply separately or send a third party. The main office is in the Courts Building on North Main Street in Crown Point.
| Office | Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building, 1st Floor Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Phone | (219) 648-6996 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lakecountyin.gov |
Lake County accepts CASH ONLY for marriage license fees. Do not bring a credit card or check. Bring the exact amount in cash. If you are not sure of the exact fee, call (219) 648-6996 before your visit to confirm the current total. This is one of the most important things to know before showing up at the Crown Point office.
Crown Point City Resources
The City of Crown Point's official website shows local government services and city information. The screenshot below shows the Crown Point city portal.
Crown Point has about 34,000 residents and sits as the seat of government for Lake County. The Lake County Courthouse, a historic landmark in Crown Point, has seen countless marriages over the decades. The city continues to draw couples from the Chicago metro area and Northwest Indiana who want to get married without a long wait.
Documents Needed for a Crown Point Marriage License
Each applicant must bring proof of age and identity. Under IC 31-11-1-4, both applicants must be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 need a juvenile court order fully emancipating them and granting permission to marry before the Lake County Clerk can issue a license.
Bring one of these for each person:
- Valid driver's license or state ID
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID or armed forces record with date of birth
- Immigration or naturalization record showing birth date
Both applicants also need their Social Security numbers. If either of you was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or, if widowed, a death certificate. The Lake County Clerk's office may ask for the full divorce decree. Have cash ready for the fee since Lake County does not accept cards or checks.
You also need both parents' full names, last known addresses, and birthplaces (by state or country) for the application form. Have this ready so you are not scrambling at the counter in Crown Point.
Marriage License Fees in Crown Point
Indiana residents pay $25.00. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. Lake County requires CASH ONLY. No checks, debit cards, or credit cards are accepted. Certified copies of the marriage license are $4.00 each. These fees apply to all applicants at the Crown Point office, regardless of where in Lake County you live.
If you plan to get married the same day you apply (which is allowed with no waiting period), plan around the office hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You need to complete the license process before 4:30 PM. Call (219) 648-6996 if you are unsure about timing or have questions about same-day ceremonies near the courthouse.
Applying for a Marriage License in Crown Point
Indiana requires a marriage license before a couple can legally marry, under IC 31-11-4-1. In Crown Point, both applicants go to the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office together during business hours. You bring your documents, fill out the application, and pay the cash fee. The clerk processes everything and issues the license, usually the same day.
You can use the pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage before your visit to enter basic information online. This can cut down on time at the Crown Point office. Both people still need to come in person to sign and complete the process. After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and files it with the Lake County Clerk. The record is then kept permanently under IC 31-11-4-18.
The license is valid for 60 days from issue under IC 31-11-4-10. Since Indiana has no waiting period, you can marry the same day you get the license, continuing Crown Point's long tradition of same-day ceremonies.
Search Crown Point Marriage License Records
The state's free marriage license database at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers records from 1993 to the present. You can filter by Lake County to find Crown Point-area records. The database gives basic information but not certified copies. For older records, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy has databases covering marriages through 1850 and from 1958 to 2018.
For a certified copy of a Lake County marriage record, contact the clerk at (219) 648-6996 or visit the Crown Point office. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages also issues Records of Marriage for $8.00 per copy for marriages since 1958. You can order online via VitalChek with an added service fee.
Note: Many historical Crown Point elopement records from the early 1900s are preserved in the Lake County Courthouse archives and may be accessible through the clerk's office for genealogy research.
Getting Married in Crown Point
Under IC 31-11-6-1, judges, mayors, clergy, and other authorized persons can perform weddings in Indiana. Crown Point has many local options for officiants and ceremony venues near the historic courthouse. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the Lake County Clerk. Under IC 31-11-11-1, providing false information on the application is a Level 6 felony in Indiana.
Nearby Cities
Other nearby cities with marriage license information in Northwest Indiana include Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Schererville, Hobart, Portage, and Valparaiso. All Lake County cities go through the same Lake County Clerk Marriage Office in Crown Point.
Lake County Marriage License Records
Crown Point is the county seat of Lake County. The Lake County Clerk Marriage Office serves all Lake County residents from the Crown Point courthouse location. For full county details on marriage licenses in Lake County, visit the Lake County marriage license page.