Clark County Marriage License Lookup
Clark County marriage licenses are issued at the Clark County Clerk of Courts office in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Clark County sits just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky, and has a long history as a place where couples have come to marry. Whether you are applying for a new marriage license or searching existing Clark County marriage records, this page covers what you need to know.
Clark County Quick Facts
Clark County Clerk of Courts
The Clark County Clerk of Courts office is located in the Clark County Government Building in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The phone number for marriage license inquiries is (812) 207-2231. The office handles marriage license applications, court records, elections, and public records for Clark County. Staff can officiate weddings at the courthouse by appointment. Call in advance to schedule a civil ceremony if you want one at the Jeffersonville courthouse.
Clark County has historically been a popular marriage destination for couples from neighboring Kentucky and elsewhere. Its location just across the river from Louisville means that many out-of-state applicants have sought licenses here over the years. The county has an established process for handling both resident and out-of-state applications. Out-of-state residents may apply in Clark County but only if their ceremony will take place within the county. This is standard Indiana law. Clark County residents pay $29.00 for the license, which includes the $4.00 document fee. Out-of-state applicants pay $69.00.
The office is open Monday through Friday, with a midday closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Plan to arrive well before 4:00 PM to allow about 30 minutes to complete the marriage license process at the Clark County Government Building in Jeffersonville.
| Office | Clark County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Clark County Government Building, Jeffersonville, IN |
| Phone | (812) 207-2231 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch) |
| Website | in.gov/counties/clarkcountyclerkofcourts |
| Marriage License Info | Clark County Marriage Licenses |
Applying for a Clark County Marriage License
Both applicants must appear together in person at the Clark County Clerk office in Jeffersonville. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires both people to be present at the same time. You cannot send one person ahead or apply by mail. At least one applicant must reside in Clark County to qualify as Indiana residents for the lower fee. Out-of-state applicants can get a Clark County license if their ceremony will happen within the county.
Clark County accepts online pre-applications through Indiana Courts at courts.in.gov/marriage. Start there before your in-person visit. Fill out both parties' information. Do not pay online. The fee is collected in person at the Jeffersonville courthouse. Coming in with the pre-application completed means less time at the counter and a faster overall process. Allow about 30 minutes for the full in-person portion even with a pre-application completed.
Clark County's lunch closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM is worth noting. If you arrive during that hour, you will be turned away until 1:00 PM. Build that into your schedule if driving from Louisville or another area. Indiana has no waiting period, so you can legally marry on the same day your Clark County license is issued under state law. The license is valid for 60 days per IC 31-11-4-10 and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Indiana.
Note: The Clark County Clerk office can officiate weddings at the courthouse, but you must call in advance to schedule this service. Not all clerk offices in Indiana offer this, making Clark County somewhat unique in that respect.
Documents for Clark County Marriage License
Both applicants need their own valid ID and supporting documents. The Clark County Clerk verifies each person's identity and eligibility before issuing the license. The office will not issue a license if either applicant is missing required documentation.
- Valid photo ID: driver's license, state ID, birth certificate, or passport
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Prior divorce decree if either applicant was previously married
- Death certificate if a former spouse is deceased
- Proof of Clark County residency if your ID does not show it
- $29.00 for Clark County residents or $69.00 for out-of-state applicants
Certified copies of your Clark County marriage license cost $4.00 each after the ceremony is recorded. You can request copies from the clerk office in Jeffersonville. The Indiana State Department of Health also issues certified copies at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages for $8.00 first and $4.00 for additional copies. Online ordering through VitalChek is available with a service fee.
Clark County as an Indiana Marriage Destination
Jeffersonville and Clark County have a history as a marriage destination for couples from Kentucky and surrounding states. Indiana's lack of a waiting period and relatively simple marriage license process has long attracted out-of-state couples. Clark County is one of a small number of Indiana counties specifically noted for its role as a border county where elopements and quick marriages have taken place over many decades.
This tradition means the Clark County Clerk office has experience handling a wide range of applicants, including those who are not familiar with Indiana marriage law. The staff can guide you through the process. If you are coming from Kentucky specifically, remember that you pay the out-of-state fee of $69.00 unless one of you can establish Indiana residency in Clark County. The ceremony must also take place in Indiana for the license to be valid under IC 31-11-4-18.
Indiana recognizes all marriages performed under a valid Indiana license regardless of the parties' home states. Your Clark County marriage license is a legally binding Indiana document once recorded. Couples who marry in Clark County should keep certified copies of their license for use in their home state for name change, insurance, and other legal purposes.
Search Clark County Marriage License Records Online
Indiana Courts provides a free marriage license public lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covering all 92 counties, including Clark County. Records go back to 1993 and can be searched by name. This is a fast way to verify that a marriage license was issued or to find basic record details without visiting the Jeffersonville clerk office. You can also request copies of Clark County marriage licenses and divorce decrees through this system.
The Indiana Courts marriage record portal at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL provides free access to Clark County marriage license records from 1993 onward.
The free tool covers Clark County and all other Indiana counties without requiring any registration.
For older Clark County marriage records, the Indiana State Library Legacy collection has records going back to the 1800s and through 2018. These are free to access and excellent for genealogy research on Clark County families. Court records related to Clark County cases can be searched at mycase.in.gov.
Cities in Clark County
Jeffersonville is the largest city in Clark County and serves as the county seat. Marriage license applications for all Clark County communities are processed at the clerk office in Jeffersonville.
Other Clark County communities include Clarksville, Sellersburg, Borden, and Charlestown. Residents of all these towns apply for marriage licenses at the Clark County Government Building in Jeffersonville.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Clark County in southern Indiana. Each has its own clerk office for marriage license applications. Apply in your county of residence.