East Chicago Marriage License Search
East Chicago is a city in Lake County, Indiana, and marriage licenses for East Chicago residents are issued by the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point. The East Chicago city clerk handles local government records but does not issue marriage licenses. If you live in East Chicago and need to apply for a marriage license, you make the trip to the Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point. This page explains the process, the fees, what to bring, and how to search for marriage license records in East Chicago and Lake County.
East Chicago Quick Facts
Where East Chicago Residents Apply for a Marriage License
East Chicago residents go to the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point to apply for a marriage license. Crown Point is the Lake County seat, about 25 miles south of East Chicago. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both applicants to show up in person at the same time. You cannot split the visit or have someone else apply on your behalf.
| 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. No credit cards, no debit cards, no checks. Bring the exact amount in cash. Call (219) 648-6996 before your trip to confirm the current fee amount and any other requirements specific to the day you plan to visit. Arriving prepared avoids wasted trips for East Chicago residents making the drive to Crown Point.
Note: East Chicago's city clerk at eastchicago.com handles city government records but plays no role in the marriage license process.
What to Bring to the Lake County Clerk's Office
Both applicants must bring valid proof of age and identity. Under IC 31-11-1-4, each person must be at least 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need a juvenile court order that fully emancipates them and grants approval to marry before the Lake County Clerk can process the application. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Accepted forms of identification include:
- Valid Indiana driver's license or state-issued ID
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Certified birth certificate
- Military ID or armed forces document with date of birth
- Immigration or naturalization record showing date of birth
You also need your Social Security number. If either applicant was married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for a deceased spouse. Do not bring photocopies when the original certified document is required. Also have both parents' full names, last known addresses, and birthplaces ready for the application form. Prepare all of this before driving from East Chicago to Crown Point.
Marriage License Fees for East Chicago Residents
Indiana residents pay $25.00. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. Lake County requires CASH ONLY for this payment. Certified copies of the marriage license are $4.00 each. All fees are set by Indiana state law, with the specific payment policy being a local Lake County requirement. Call (219) 648-6996 to confirm the current fee before you make the trip from East Chicago to Crown Point.
Indiana has no waiting period. You can get married on the same day you receive the license. There is also no blood test requirement. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date under IC 31-11-4-10.
How to Apply for a Marriage License from East Chicago
Getting a marriage license as an East Chicago resident starts with a trip to the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-1 requires a license before any legal marriage in the state. Both of you go to the Crown Point office together, show your documents, complete the application form, and pay the cash fee. The clerk reviews your application and issues the license the same day.
Before your visit, use the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage to enter basic information. This makes the process faster when you arrive in Crown Point. Both applicants still need to show up in person, but the pre-application reduces paperwork time at the counter. Indiana has no waiting period, so once you have the license, you can get married the same day if you choose.
After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and files it with the Lake County Clerk in Crown Point. The clerk records it permanently under IC 31-11-4-18. Under IC 31-11-6-1, judges, clergy, mayors, and other authorized persons can perform the ceremony. You can hold the wedding anywhere in the state, not just in Lake County.
Search East Chicago Marriage License Records
Indiana provides a free public database at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL for marriage licenses issued since 1993. Filter by Lake County to find East Chicago-area records. The database shows basic license information, including names and issue dates, but does not include certified copies. This is a good first stop if you need to confirm a marriage license was issued in Lake County for an East Chicago resident.
For records before 1993, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy covers marriages through 1850 and from 1958 to 2018. For gaps, contact the Lake County Clerk at (219) 648-6996. Certified copies of Lake County marriage records can also be requested from the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages for $8.00 per copy for marriages since 1958. Order online through VitalChek with an added fee if you prefer that route.
Note: Under IC 31-11-11-1, providing false information on a marriage license application is a Level 6 felony in Indiana. Always be accurate when completing the application at the Crown Point office.
Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup
The Indiana Courts marriage license search tool is available to anyone at no cost. The portal at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers all 92 Indiana counties, including Lake County where East Chicago is located. The tool lets you search by applicant name, date range, or county. You can also check the Indiana Courts marriage license information page for general guidance on requirements and the application process statewide.
The image above shows the Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup portal. Use it at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to search for East Chicago or Lake County marriage licenses issued since 1993. For historical records and genealogy research involving East Chicago marriages from earlier decades, the Indiana State Library's resources at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy are the best place to start. The state library is located at 315 West Ohio Street in Indianapolis and offers free research assistance.
Nearby Cities
East Chicago is in Northwest Indiana's Lake County corridor. Nearby cities with marriage license resources include Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Schererville, Hobart, and Crown Point. All Lake County residents go to the same Lake County Clerk Marriage Office in Crown Point.
Lake County Marriage License Records
East Chicago is in Lake County, Indiana. All marriage licenses for East Chicago residents are issued by the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point. For full county-level information on marriage licenses in Lake County, visit the Lake County marriage license page.