Hammond Marriage License Records
Getting a marriage license in Hammond means going through the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office. Hammond is the largest city in Lake County, and all marriage licenses for residents here are issued at the county level. The Lake County Clerk handles every step, from the pre-application to the final license. You can also search past Hammond marriage license records through the state's free online lookup tool at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL, which covers marriages back to 1993.
Hammond Quick Facts
Where Hammond Residents Apply
Hammond residents do not apply for marriage licenses at city hall. The Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point handles all marriage license applications for every city in Lake County, including Hammond. Crown Point is the Lake County seat, and that is where the clerk's main office is. You must go there in person. Both people getting married must show up together on the same visit.
| 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/departments/clerk-marriage |
| Payment | Cash only |
One thing to know before you make the trip from Hammond: the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office takes cash only. No cards, no checks. The fee is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 if one or both of you lives out of state. Plan ahead and bring the right amount in cash. The drive from Hammond to Crown Point is about 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic on I-65.
Note: The Lake County Marriage Office is closed on weekends and state holidays, so plan your visit for a weekday.
Hammond Marriage License Requirements
Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both people to appear in person when applying for a marriage license. You cannot send someone else or submit paperwork on behalf of your partner. You both go together, you both bring your IDs, and you both sign the application at the clerk's office. There are no exceptions to this rule in Indiana.
You need a valid photo ID to get a marriage license in Hammond. The state accepts a driver's license, a U.S. passport, a state-issued ID card, a military ID, or a birth certificate paired with another photo ID. You also need to provide your Social Security number, though you do not have to bring the card itself. If either of you was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. That means a divorce decree or a death certificate, depending on how it ended.
Age rules matter too. Under IC 31-11-1-4, you must be 18 or older to get a marriage license in Indiana without parental consent. If you are 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must appear with you and give consent. Indiana does not allow anyone under 16 to marry.
The state also requires you to complete a pre-application online before you visit the clerk's office. You can do that at courts.in.gov/marriage. Fill it out ahead of time. It saves time at the office and is required by state law under IC 31-11-4-1.
What you need to bring to the Lake County Clerk's Office in Crown Point:
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Proof of prior marriage ending, if applicable (divorce decree or death certificate)
- Cash payment ($25 resident, $65 out-of-state)
- Your completed pre-application from courts.in.gov/marriage
Hammond City and Lake County Resources
The Hammond city website at gohammond.com covers city services, but for marriage licenses you need the Lake County Clerk. The screenshot below is from the Lake County Clerk's marriage page, which is your main resource for Hammond marriage license applications.
The Lake County Clerk's website at lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-marriage has the most up-to-date details on hours, fees, and any special requirements for getting a marriage license in Lake County.
After You Get Your Hammond Marriage License
Once the Lake County Clerk issues your marriage license, it is valid for 60 days under IC 31-11-4-10. You have that window to hold your ceremony. There is no waiting period in Indiana, so you can get married the same day you pick up the license if you want to. The license covers any legal ceremony in the state of Indiana, no matter where in the state you choose to hold it.
Indiana has no blood test requirement and no mandatory waiting period. That makes the process faster than in many other states. Once your ceremony happens, the person who performs the ceremony fills out the return section of the license. Under IC 31-11-4-18, they must return it to the county clerk within 30 days. At that point, your marriage is officially on record with Lake County.
If you need a certified copy of your marriage license later, go back to the Lake County Clerk's office. Certified copies are useful for name changes, insurance updates, and legal matters. You can also search the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to verify a marriage record for free. That database goes back to 1993 and covers Lake County marriages including those filed by Hammond residents.
Note: If your license expires before the ceremony, you must apply and pay again. There is no renewal option.
Search Hammond Marriage License Records
Indiana offers a free public tool to look up marriage licenses. The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL lets you search by name and find records going back to 1993. It covers all Indiana counties, including Lake County, so Hammond marriage records from the last 30 years are there. You do not need an account or any payment to use it.
For older records, the Indiana State Library maintains historical databases through the Indiana Digital Archives at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/. Some pre-1993 Lake County marriage records are indexed there. The Indiana State Department of Health also keeps vital records. Their office can help with certified marriage certificates, and you can learn more at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/. VitalChek at vitalchek.com is another option for ordering certified copies online, for a service fee.
The Indiana courts system also stores marriage license data as part of its public records structure under IC 31-11-11-1, which makes marriage licenses public documents in Indiana. Anyone can access them.
Nearby Cities in Lake County
Hammond sits at the northwest corner of Indiana, bordered by other Lake County cities. All of them use the same Lake County Clerk's office in Crown Point for marriage licenses. If you live near Hammond, your neighbors in these cities go through the same process:
Gary is just east of Hammond and also in Lake County. East Chicago is directly east of Hammond along the lakeshore. Merrillville is south of Hammond on U.S. 30. Schererville is in the southwest part of the county. Hobart is to the southeast. Crown Point, where the marriage office is located, is about 20 miles south.
Lake County Marriage License Records
Hammond is part of Lake County, and all marriage license applications for the city go through the Lake County Clerk. The county page has more on the full process, local fees, and all resources for Lake County marriage licenses.