Portage Marriage License Records
Portage marriage licenses are issued by the Porter County Clerk's Office in Valparaiso, the county seat of Porter County. Portage is the largest city in Porter County by population, and all marriage license applications for Portage residents are handled at the county courthouse. This page explains what to bring, what fees to expect, and how to search existing marriage license records for Portage and Porter County.
Portage Quick Facts
Where Portage Residents Apply for a Marriage License
The Porter County Clerk's Office in Valparaiso handles marriage licenses for all of Porter County, including Portage. The office is at 16 Lincolnway, Suite 211, in downtown Valparaiso. This is about 10 miles south of Portage along US-49. Both applicants must appear in person at the same time. The Porter County Clerk's marriage license page is at portercountyin.gov/147/Marriage-Licenses.
| Office | Porter County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Lincolnway, Suite 211 Valparaiso, IN 46383 |
| Phone | (219) 465-3450 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | portercountyin.gov |
Valparaiso is easy to reach from Portage. The drive is mostly along US-49 going south. Parking is available near the courthouse in downtown Valparaiso. Call the clerk at (219) 465-3450 before you go to confirm hours and whether an appointment is needed. The office closes at 4:30 PM, so plan to arrive with enough time to complete the application.
Marriage License Requirements for Portage Residents
Both people who plan to marry must go to the Porter County Clerk's office together. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires that both applicants appear at the same time. Each person must show a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or a birth certificate combined with a photo ID. Your Social Security number is needed on the application.
Prior marriages must be documented. If one or both applicants were previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. The clerk will check these documents. The minimum age to apply without restrictions is 18. Those who are 16 or 17 years old can apply with parental consent under IC 31-11-1-4.
Indiana does not require a blood test or medical exam before marriage. There is no waiting period, meaning you can marry the same day you pick up the license. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date under IC 31-11-4-10. Couples from out of state can apply for a Porter County license as long as they plan to marry in Indiana. The Indiana Courts pre-application site lets you start the process online before going to the clerk's office.
Note: Indiana does not have a residency requirement for marriage licenses, so you do not have to live in Portage or Indiana to apply in Porter County.
Portage Marriage License Fees
Porter County charges $25.00 for Indiana residents who apply for a marriage license. Out-of-state applicants pay $65.00. These amounts are standard across most Indiana counties. Call (219) 465-3450 to confirm the current fee before your visit, since county fees can change.
The fee is paid at the time you pick up the license at the Valparaiso courthouse. If you need certified copies of the marriage license or certificate later, the clerk and the Indiana Department of Health can provide them for separate fees. Certified copies are often used for name changes and legal document updates after the ceremony.
Porter County Clerk Marriage License Page
The Porter County Clerk's marriage license webpage has the most current information on requirements, fees, and hours for Portage and the rest of Porter County. The screenshot below shows the county's online resource.
Portage residents can review this page before driving to Valparaiso to make sure they have everything they need. The site lists acceptable forms of ID and explains what to expect during the application.
Search Portage Marriage License Records
Indiana provides a free online tool for searching marriage license records. The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov covers records from 1993 forward. You can search by name and filter by Porter County to find Portage area licenses. No login is needed and there is no charge to use this search.
For records older than 1993, contact the Porter County Clerk or search the Indiana State Library digital archives. The State Library holds historical vital records going back much further than the court's online database. For a certified marriage certificate, contact the Indiana Department of Health or order through VitalChek.
After Your Porter County License is Issued
You have 60 days to use your Porter County marriage license for a ceremony anywhere in Indiana. The officiant must be authorized under IC 31-11-6-1. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Porter County Clerk. Under IC 31-11-4-11, the officiant must do this within 30 days. Once the clerk records it, your marriage is an official public record in Porter County.
After the recording, you can get a certified marriage certificate from the Indiana Department of Health vital records office. This certificate is used for name changes with the Social Security Administration, Indiana BMV, and other agencies. Under IC 31-11-11-1, a marriage that is properly performed and recorded in Indiana is legally valid from the date of the ceremony.
Nearby Cities
Other Indiana cities near Portage where marriage license information is available:
- Valparaiso - Porter County seat
- Crown Point - Lake County seat
- Hobart - Lake County
- Merrillville - Lake County
Porter County Marriage License Records
Portage is in Porter County, and all marriage licenses for the area are on file with the Porter County Clerk in Valparaiso. For full county details, additional resources, and clerk contact information, see the Porter County page.