Brown County Marriage License Records

Brown County marriage licenses are issued at the Clerk of Courts office in Nashville, Indiana. Brown County requires couples to complete the online pre-application before walking in, and you must arrive by 3:00 PM for same-day service. This guide covers the full application process, documents needed, fees, and how to search Brown County marriage license records online.

Brown County Clerk of Courts

The Brown County Clerk of Courts office is at 20 E. Main Street in Nashville, Indiana. This is the county seat and the only location in Brown County that issues marriage licenses. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you need a marriage license on a given day, you must be in the office no later than 3:00 PM. This cutoff gives staff enough time to process the license before the office closes.

One thing that makes Brown County stand out is that the clerk office can officiate weddings. If you want a civil ceremony at the courthouse in Nashville rather than hiring a separate officiant, call the clerk at 812-988-5510 to schedule that service in advance. Not every county offers this, so it is a convenient option for couples who want a simple, quick ceremony in Brown County without arranging a separate minister or judge.

The county website at browncounty-in.gov has information about both the marriage license process and the wedding ceremony service. Call ahead if you have questions or want to schedule a civil ceremony in Nashville.

Applying for a Brown County Marriage License

Brown County requires you to complete the online portion of the application before your walk-in visit. Go to courts.in.gov/marriage and fill out the pre-application form. Do not pay online. Both applicants should enter their own information. Once the online form is done, head to the Brown County Courthouse in Nashville with your documents and payment. The in-person step is still required for both applicants together under IC 31-11-4-3.

Brown County's residency rules follow Indiana's standard pattern. If you are Indiana residents, at least one of you must live in Brown County. If both of you live outside Indiana, you can apply for a Brown County license as long as your ceremony will take place in Brown County. If you live in neighboring Monroe or Bartholomew County and your partner lives in Brown County, you can apply in either county. The choice is yours based on where it is more convenient to go.

There is no waiting period in Indiana. You can get married the same day you pick up your Brown County marriage license. The license is valid for 60 days per IC 31-11-4-10. Arrive before 3:00 PM and have the online pre-application completed ahead of time to make your visit as quick as possible.

Note: Brown County out-of-state visitors who plan to marry in the county can apply at the Nashville courthouse, but call ahead at 812-988-5510 to confirm current procedures if you are unsure about eligibility.

Required Documents for Brown County Marriage License

Both applicants must bring state-issued photo ID showing a current physical address. The Brown County Clerk specifically requires IDs with your current address on them. If your license shows an old address, you will need a second document to confirm your current residence. This is different from some other Indiana counties that are more flexible about address verification.

• State-issued photo ID with current physical address (driver's license or state ID)
• Passport or military ID as an alternative
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Prior divorce decree if you were previously married
• Death certificate if a former spouse passed away
• Payment: $25.00 for Brown County residents, $65.00 for out-of-state applicants

If your current ID does not show your Brown County address, bring a recent utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement that does. The clerk uses this to establish county residency and apply the resident fee rate. Do not assume your out-of-state ID or passport alone will be enough to establish Brown County residency status.

Brown County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a Brown County marriage license. Out-of-state applicants pay $65.00. Certified copies cost $4.00 each. Call 812-988-5510 to confirm which payment types the office currently accepts. Some Indiana counties take only cash, while others allow cards or money orders. Having cash on hand is always a safe bet.

For certified copies after your marriage is recorded, you can get them from the Brown County Clerk directly or from the Indiana State Department of Health. ISDH charges $8.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages. Online ordering through VitalChek is also an option with a service fee added.

Using Your Brown County Marriage License

Once issued, your Brown County marriage license is good for 60 days. Indiana has no waiting period, so the ceremony can happen the same day. The ceremony can take place anywhere in Indiana, not just in Brown County or Nashville. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Brown County Clerk within 60 days under IC 31-11-4-11. That recording step is what makes the marriage part of the official public record.

If the license expires before the ceremony, it cannot be renewed. You would need to apply again at the Brown County Courthouse and pay the full fee again. Once the marriage is recorded, certified copies are available from the clerk office. These copies are often needed for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal matters after getting married.

Search Brown County Marriage License Records

The Indiana Courts public marriage license lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is free and covers Brown County records from 1993 to the present. Search by name to find records. This is the quickest way to confirm a license was issued or look up basic details about a Brown County marriage without driving to Nashville.

The Indiana State Library digital archives hold historical marriage records for Brown County going back to the 1800s and through 2018. These are free to search and valuable for genealogy research. Court filings related to Brown County marriages or legal proceedings can be found at mycase.in.gov.

Cities in Brown County

Nashville is the county seat of Brown County and the location of the clerk office where all marriage license applications are processed. No individual city pages exist for Brown County communities, as none meet the 25,000 population threshold. Residents of all Brown County communities apply for marriage licenses at 20 E. Main Street in Nashville.

Nearby Counties

Brown County is surrounded by several central Indiana counties. Each has its own clerk office. Apply in your county of residence to get the resident fee rate.