Michigan City Marriage License Records

Michigan City residents who want to apply for a marriage license go through the LaPorte County Clerk. Michigan City is the largest city in LaPorte County and sits along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana. The LaPorte County Clerk operates two locations that serve Michigan City residents, making it more convenient than driving to the county seat in La Porte. To search existing marriage license records online, use Indiana's free tool at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL.

LaPorte County Clerk Locations for Michigan City

Michigan City has an advantage that not every LaPorte County city has: the LaPorte County Clerk has a local phone extension specifically for Michigan City residents. You can call (219) 874-5611 Ext. 7729 for the Michigan City location. There is also the main clerk's office in La Porte, the county seat. Both serve LaPorte County residents, including those from Michigan City, for marriage license applications.

Both people getting married must appear in person, regardless of which location you use. The fee is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state applicants. Michigan City is a popular destination for couples from nearby Illinois and other areas, given its location along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Out-of-state residents marrying here should budget for the higher fee.

The Michigan City city website at michigancityin.gov covers city services. Marriage licenses are not issued at city hall. Always contact or visit the LaPorte County Clerk for marriage license applications.

Note: Call the Michigan City extension at (219) 874-5611 Ext. 7729 before your visit to confirm current hours and which location is handling applications on your planned visit date.

Michigan City Marriage License Requirements

Indiana requires both applicants to appear in person at the county clerk's office under IC 31-11-4-3. Both of you must be present at the same time. You show your IDs, provide your Social Security numbers, and sign the application together. The LaPorte County Clerk then processes the license while you wait.

Valid photo ID is required. The LaPorte County Clerk accepts a driver's license, a U.S. passport, a state-issued ID card, or a military ID. A birth certificate can be used but must come with a separate photo ID. Both applicants must give their Social Security numbers during the application process. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the marriage ended: a certified divorce decree or a death certificate from a deceased former spouse. The clerk will not proceed without this documentation if it applies.

Age requirements under IC 31-11-1-4 require applicants to be at least 18 years old without parental consent. If you are 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must come with you to the LaPorte County Clerk and provide in-person consent. Indiana does not allow marriage under 16.

Start the process by completing the Indiana online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage before you visit the clerk. This is a state requirement under IC 31-11-4-1. Use a desktop or laptop for the form. Having it done before you arrive makes the in-person step faster.

Michigan City Resources and Marriage License Info

The Michigan City city website at michigancityin.gov provides information on local government and city services. For marriage licenses, Michigan City residents use the LaPorte County Clerk. The screenshot below shows the Michigan City city page, which can help with local contacts and community services while you prepare for your marriage license application.

For the state's pre-application, go to courts.in.gov/marriage. After that, contact the LaPorte County Clerk at (219) 326-6808 for the main La Porte office, or (219) 874-5611 Ext. 7729 for Michigan City. The LaPorte County website at laporteco.in.gov has additional county resources and contact information.

Using Your Michigan City Marriage License

Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date the LaPorte County Clerk issues it, under IC 31-11-4-10. Indiana has no waiting period. You can hold your ceremony the same day you receive the license. The license is valid anywhere in Indiana, not just in Michigan City or LaPorte County.

The officiant who performs your ceremony must complete the return section of the marriage license. Under IC 31-11-4-18, they must return the completed document to the LaPorte County Clerk within 30 days. Once received and filed, your marriage becomes a public record. Indiana makes marriage licenses accessible to anyone under IC 31-11-11-1.

If you need a certified copy of your Michigan City marriage record later, contact the LaPorte County Clerk at (219) 326-6808. Certified copies are also available from the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/, which keeps records back to 1958. VitalChek at vitalchek.com handles online orders for a service fee.

Note: Indiana does not require a blood test, and there is no waiting period between when you receive the license and when you may hold a ceremony.

Search Michigan City Marriage Records

Indiana's free Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers LaPorte County marriage records from 1993 onward. Search by name at no cost. No account needed. Michigan City marriage licenses filed through the LaPorte County Clerk are part of this database. The search tool covers all 92 Indiana counties, and LaPorte County records are fully included.

For older LaPorte County marriage records from before 1993, the Indiana State Library maintains the Indiana Digital Archives at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/. Some older records for northwest Indiana counties may be indexed there. The Indiana courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/ links to additional resources for statewide vital records research.

Nearby Qualifying Cities

Michigan City is in the far northwest corner of Indiana along Lake Michigan. Nearby qualifying cities that use different county clerks for marriage licenses include Elkhart in Elkhart County to the east and Goshen in Elkhart County as well. South Bend is to the east in St. Joseph County. Mishawaka, which is adjacent to South Bend, is also in St. Joseph County. All of these cities use their respective county clerks, not the LaPorte County Clerk.

LaPorte County Marriage License Records

Michigan City is in LaPorte County, and all marriage license applications go through the LaPorte County Clerk. The LaPorte County page has more on the full process, both clerk locations, fees, and county-level resources for marriage licenses.

View LaPorte County Marriage License Records