Gary Marriage License Lookup
Marriage licenses for Gary residents are issued by the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point, the Lake County seat. The Gary city clerk handles local government functions but does not issue marriage licenses. All Lake County residents, including those in Gary, apply at the Crown Point courthouse location. This page covers where to go, what to bring, fees, and how to look up Gary and Lake County marriage license records online.
Gary Quick Facts
Where Gary Residents Apply for a Marriage License
Gary is in Lake County, and all marriage licenses for Lake County residents go through the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point. Crown Point is about 25 miles south of Gary. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both applicants to appear in person at the same time. You cannot apply separately or through a representative.
| Office | Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office |
|---|---|
| Address (Main Office) | 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building, 1st Floor Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Address (Gary Branch) | 100 W. Ridge Road Gary, IN 46408 |
| Phone | (219) 648-6996 |
| Alt Phone | (219) 755-3466 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call for specific hours) |
| Website | lakecountyin.gov |
Lake County has a branch clerk location in Gary at 100 W. Ridge Road. Call (219) 648-6996 or (219) 755-3466 to confirm whether marriage license services are available at the Gary branch location on the day you plan to visit. The main office is always in Crown Point. CASH ONLY is required for all Lake County marriage license fees. Do not bring a card or check.
Note: Gary is historically known as a major steel city. The city served as the center of the U.S. steel industry for much of the 20th century, and the Gary city clerk at gary.gov still serves a large city government, but marriage licenses are handled at the county level.
Gary City Resources
The City of Gary's official website provides access to city services and information for residents. The image below shows the Gary city portal.
Gary has about 68,000 residents and is one of the major cities in Northwest Indiana's Lake County. The city's location on the southern shore of Lake Michigan puts it close to Chicago and makes it a central hub for the region. For marriage licenses, Gary residents make the trip to the Lake County Clerk's office in Crown Point, or check on the availability of services at the Gary branch location on W. Ridge Road.
Documents Required for a Gary Marriage License
Both applicants must bring proof of age and identity. Under IC 31-11-1-4, each person must be at least 18. If either applicant is 16 or 17, they need a juvenile court order that fully emancipates them and grants permission to marry. The Lake County Clerk's office cannot issue a license to a minor without that court order, regardless of parental consent.
Each person applying must bring one of the following:
- Valid Indiana driver's license or state ID
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Certified copy of birth certificate
- Military identification card
- Immigration or naturalization record with date of birth
You also need your Social Security number. If either applicant was previously married, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for a deceased spouse. The clerk needs the original certified document, not a photocopy. Also have both parents' full names, last known addresses, and birthplaces ready for the application form. Have all of this ready when you go to Crown Point or the Gary branch to avoid making a second trip.
Marriage License Fees in Gary
Indiana residents pay $25.00. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. CASH ONLY at the Lake County Clerk's office. No exceptions. Bring the exact amount in cash. Call (219) 648-6996 to confirm the current fee before your visit from Gary to Crown Point. Certified copies of the marriage license are $4.00 each.
Indiana has no waiting period for marriage licenses. You can get the license and hold the ceremony on the same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date under IC 31-11-4-10. There is also no blood test requirement in Indiana, which keeps the process simple and fast.
How to Apply for a Marriage License from Gary
Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-1 requires a marriage license before any legal marriage in the state. As a Gary resident, both you and your partner go to the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office together. Bring your documents and your cash fee. Fill out the application, have the clerk review everything, and receive your license. The process is typically completed in a single visit.
Use the pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage before your visit to enter basic information online. This speeds up the counter visit, whether you are going to Crown Point or the Gary branch location. Both applicants must still appear in person. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the Lake County Clerk. The clerk records it permanently under IC 31-11-4-18. Under IC 31-11-6-1, judges, clergy, mayors, and other authorized individuals can perform the ceremony.
Note: Under IC 31-11-4-11, the clerk cannot issue a license if either applicant appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of application.
Search Gary 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 search for Gary-area records. The database shows basic information and is free to use. For older records, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy covers 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. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages issues Records of Marriage for $8.00 per copy for marriages since 1958. Order online through VitalChek with a service fee if you prefer that option.
Nearby Cities
Gary is in Northwest Indiana. Nearby cities in Lake County with marriage license information include Hammond, East Chicago, Merrillville, Schererville, Hobart, and Crown Point. All Lake County residents use the same Lake County Clerk Marriage Office in Crown Point.
Lake County Marriage License Records
Gary is one of the largest cities in Lake County. All marriage licenses for Gary 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.