Hobart Marriage License Lookup

Residents of Hobart who want to apply for a marriage license must go through the Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office in Crown Point. Hobart is a city in Lake County, and all marriage license applications in the county are handled there. The process follows Indiana state law, and both people who plan to marry must appear in person on the same visit. You can also look up Hobart marriage license records using the free Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL.

Where Hobart Residents Apply for a Marriage License

Hobart sits in the southern part of Lake County, and like all Lake County cities, it relies on the county clerk for marriage licenses. The clerk's office is in Crown Point, which is the Lake County seat. You do not apply at Hobart City Hall or any other local office. The Lake County Clerk's Marriage Office at 2293 N. Main Street is the only place to get a marriage license as a Hobart resident.

The Lake County Marriage Office only accepts cash. The fee is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 when one or both applicants live out of state. Hobart is about 10 to 15 minutes north of Crown Point, so the drive is short. Plan to arrive well before 4:30 PM to ensure you get through the process the same day. The office does not offer evening or weekend hours.

Hobart Marriage License Requirements

Indiana state law, specifically IC 31-11-4-3, requires both applicants to be present at the clerk's office. No exceptions. Both of you must come to Crown Point together and bring your IDs. This is not something you can do separately or by mail. Indiana does not have a waiting period for marriage licenses, so you can get married the same day if you want to.

You must show a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts a driver's license, a U.S. passport, a state-issued ID card, or a military ID. If you only have a birth certificate, bring a photo ID alongside it. Both applicants also need to give their Social Security numbers during the application process, though you don't need to present the actual card. If either of you was previously married, bring your divorce decree or your former spouse's death certificate. Under IC 31-11-1-4, applicants must be 18 or older, or 16 to 17 with a parent or guardian present.

Before your visit, complete the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage. This is a state requirement. Doing it online before you go saves time and is part of the official process under IC 31-11-4-1.

Note: Prior marriage documentation is required at the time of application. If you forget to bring it, you'll have to come back another day.

Hobart and Lake County Marriage License Info

The Hobart city website at cityofhobart.org covers local municipal services, but it does not handle marriage licenses. The screenshot below shows the Hobart city page, which lists city services and contact information for local government offices.

For actual marriage license applications, Hobart residents use the Lake County Clerk at lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-marriage. That page has all current fee information, hours, and requirements for getting a marriage license in Lake County.

Using Your Hobart Marriage License

After the Lake County Clerk issues your marriage license, you have 60 days to use it. That time limit is set by IC 31-11-4-10. Hold your ceremony anytime within that window, anywhere in Indiana. The license is valid statewide, not just in Lake County or the Hobart area. There is no waiting period, so the day you get the license, you can legally marry.

The person who performs your ceremony is responsible for completing the return section of the license. Under IC 31-11-4-18, the officiant has 30 days after the ceremony to return the completed license to the Lake County Clerk. Once filed, your marriage is a matter of public record in Indiana. Under IC 31-11-11-1, Indiana marriage licenses are public documents and can be searched by anyone.

If you need a certified copy of your Hobart marriage record after the ceremony, contact the Lake County Clerk's office directly. You can also order a certified marriage certificate through the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/, or through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an online order with a service fee. The state retains marriage records from 1958 onward.

Search Hobart Marriage Records Online

Indiana has a free public search tool called the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup. You can use it at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to find Hobart marriage records going back to 1993. Search by name. The database covers all Indiana counties, so Lake County records are included. No account or payment is needed.

For records before 1993, try the Indiana Digital Archives at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/. The Indiana State Library maintains older historical records in that database. Some Lake County marriage records from earlier decades are indexed there and searchable online. The Indiana courts information portal at in.gov/courts/public-records/ also has links to public record tools across the state.

Nearby Cities in the Area

Hobart is in the southeast corner of Lake County. Several nearby qualifying cities also use the Lake County Clerk for marriage licenses. You might also be near these cities if you live in or around Hobart: Hammond is the largest city in Lake County, located to the northwest. Gary is to the north. Merrillville is just a few miles west on U.S. 30. Schererville is to the west as well. Crown Point, where the marriage office is, is south of Hobart. Portage is in neighboring Porter County to the east.

Lake County Marriage License Records

Hobart is in Lake County, and all marriage licenses for the city go through the Lake County Clerk. Visit the Lake County page for more details on the full process, fees, and county-level resources.

View Lake County Marriage License Records