Bartholomew County Marriage License Lookup

Bartholomew County marriage licenses are issued by appointment at the Clerk of Courts office in Columbus, Indiana. The office requires both applicants to schedule ahead and complete the online pre-application before their visit. This page explains the appointment process, what documents to bring, what fees to expect, and how to search Bartholomew County marriage license records online.

Bartholomew County Clerk of Courts

Shari Lentz serves as the Bartholomew County Clerk of Courts. Her office at 234 Washington Street in Columbus handles all marriage license applications. Julie Robertson serves as Chief Deputy. The Bartholomew County Clerk handles more than just marriage licenses, including court filings, traffic payments, and official records, but marriage license appointments are handled on a set schedule each week.

Bartholomew County is one of the Indiana counties that requires an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Walk-in service is not available. You must call the office to schedule your visit before you come. The clerk will not issue a license to a couple that arrives without a scheduled appointment. This policy is in place to manage workflow and give each couple the time and attention they need to complete the process correctly. Allow time for your appointment when planning your wedding timeline in Bartholomew County.

The clerk office does not perform marriage ceremonies. If you want a civil ceremony in Columbus, you will need to arrange that with a judge or registered officiant separately. The clerk office simply issues and records the license.

Marriage License Appointments in Bartholomew County

Bartholomew County marriage license appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Two time slots are open each day: 8:30 to 9:15 AM and 2:00 to 2:45 PM. Each appointment lasts about 15 minutes. Both applicants must be present for the appointment. You cannot schedule an appointment for one person and then bring the other later.

Before you call to schedule, both applicants should complete the online portion of the application. Start at courts.in.gov/marriage and fill in your information. Do not pay online. Finish the application form and then call 812-379-1600 to book your Bartholomew County appointment. The clerk office will confirm your appointment date and time. Missing your appointment means you will need to reschedule, which could delay your marriage license by a week or more depending on availability.

Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both applicants to appear in person when the license is issued. Bartholomew County's appointment system ensures this happens in an organized way. The 15-minute window is usually enough time if your pre-application is complete and your documents are ready when you arrive at the Columbus courthouse.

Note: Bartholomew County does not offer walk-in marriage license service. Always call ahead to schedule your appointment before making the trip to Columbus.

Required Documents for Bartholomew County Marriage License

Both applicants must bring valid ID and other required information to their appointment. The clerk uses this to verify your identity and eligibility to marry in Indiana. Missing documents will cause delays and may require you to reschedule your Bartholomew County appointment.

• Valid government-issued photo ID: driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Date of birth verification if not clear on your ID
• Divorce decree if either applicant was previously married
• Death certificate if a former spouse is deceased
• Payment for the license fee

At least one applicant must be a Bartholomew County resident if you are applying as Indiana residents. Out-of-state applicants can get a Bartholomew County license if the ceremony will take place in the county. The clerk will confirm residency during your appointment. If your ID does not show a current Bartholomew County address, bring something that does, like a recent utility bill or lease agreement.

Bartholomew County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a marriage license in Bartholomew County. Out-of-state applicants pay $65.00. Certified copies of the recorded license cost $4.00 each. Call 812-379-1600 to confirm accepted payment types before your appointment. Many Indiana county offices prefer cash or money orders. Having the exact amount ready saves time during your 15-minute appointment slot.

After your ceremony, if you need additional certified copies for legal purposes such as a name change or insurance update, you can order them from the Bartholomew County Clerk office. Certified copies from the Indiana State Department of Health through ISDH Vital Records are another option. ISDH charges $8.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy. You can also order through VitalChek, which adds a service charge but allows online ordering.

Using Your Bartholomew County Marriage License

Once the clerk issues your Bartholomew County marriage license, it is valid for 60 days under IC 31-11-4-10. Indiana has no waiting period, meaning you can hold your ceremony the same day you pick up the license. Your wedding can take place anywhere in the state, not just in Bartholomew County or Columbus. The license works statewide.

After your ceremony, the officiant who performs it must sign the license and return it to the Bartholomew County Clerk within 60 days of the ceremony. This recording step is what makes the marriage official in the public record under IC 31-11-4-11. Once recorded, you can get certified copies from the clerk office. If the license expires before the ceremony happens, you must apply again and pay the fee a second time. Bartholomew County does not extend or reactivate expired licenses.

Search Bartholomew County Marriage Records

The Indiana Courts system offers a free online tool to search marriage license records from all Indiana counties, including Bartholomew County. Visit public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to search by name. Records go back to 1993 and are free to access. This is useful for confirming a license was issued or finding basic record details without visiting the Columbus courthouse.

For older Bartholomew County marriage records, the Indiana State Library Legacy collection has historical vital records going back to the 1800s. Records from 1958 to 2018 are also available digitally through the state library. For court case information related to marriage or divorce, you can search mycase.in.gov for Bartholomew County court filings.

Cities in Bartholomew County

Columbus is the county seat and main city in Bartholomew County. All marriage license applications for Bartholomew County residents, including those in Columbus, are handled at the clerk office on Washington Street.

Other towns in Bartholomew County include Edinburgh, Hope, Taylorsville, and Hartsville. Residents of all these communities apply for marriage licenses at the same Bartholomew County Clerk office in Columbus.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bartholomew County. Each county clerk handles marriage licenses for residents in their area. Verify your county of residence before scheduling your appointment.