Daviess County Marriage License Records

Daviess County marriage licenses are issued at the Daviess County Courthouse in Washington, Indiana. Clerk Leslie McCarty's office handles all marriage license applications for Daviess County residents and out-of-state applicants whose ceremony will take place in the county. Daviess County collects more information from applicants than most Indiana counties, including parental details. This guide explains what to expect, what to bring, and how to search Daviess County marriage records online.

Daviess County Clerk of Courts

Leslie McCarty serves as the Daviess County Clerk of Courts. The primary courthouse address is 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, Indiana 47501. The county also operates a Government Center at 300 E. Hefron Street in Washington. The main county phone line is 812-254-1091. The clerk office is open during standard business hours Monday through Friday and handles marriage licenses, court records, elections, and public records for Daviess County.

Daviess County collects notably detailed information on the marriage license application. Beyond the basic ID and Social Security number, the clerk also requires the full names of both applicants' parents, including mother's maiden name, plus the residence and birthplace of both parents. This is worth knowing ahead of time so you can gather that information before your visit to the Washington courthouse.

Applying for a Daviess County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear at the Daviess County Courthouse in Washington at the same time to apply for their marriage license. Indiana law under IC 31-11-4-3 requires this. You cannot apply separately or through a representative. Both people must be present when the license is issued. Indiana residents must apply in the county where at least one of them lives. Out-of-state residents must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place.

Daviess County accepts partial online applications through Indiana Courts at courts.in.gov/marriage. Fill in your information online before your visit. Both applicants still must come in person to complete the process and sign the license. Do not pay online. The fee is collected at the courthouse in Washington on the day the license is issued.

One thing to prepare for in Daviess County is the level of detail required on the application. In addition to standard items like ID and Social Security number, the clerk also collects the full legal names of each applicant's parents, including the mother's maiden name, along with the parents' current residence and birthplaces. Have this information ready before you go to save time at the counter. Applicants under 18 years old must obtain a court order from the Circuit Court Judge before the Daviess County Clerk can issue a license, per IC 31-11-1-4.

Note: Daviess County includes two certified copies of your license in the fee after the record is complete. Most counties charge separately for copies, so this is a benefit unique to Daviess County applicants.

Documents Required in Daviess County

Daviess County requires more documentation than many Indiana counties. Both applicants need valid ID and several pieces of information that you may need to look up before your visit to Washington. Prepare these items ahead of time to avoid delays at the Daviess County Courthouse.

• Valid ID: driver's license, state ID, birth certificate, passport, or military ID
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Full legal names of both parents for each applicant, including mother's maiden name
• Residence and birthplace of both parents for each applicant
• If previously married: month, year, and manner (divorce or death) that marriage ended
• Payment: $29.00 for Daviess County residents, $69.00 for out-of-state applicants

The $29.00 resident fee in Daviess County includes two certified copies of the recorded license, which are issued after the ceremony is recorded. This means you leave with copies ready to use for name changes or legal updates without having to return to request them separately. Out-of-state applicants also receive two certified copies for their $69.00 fee.

Daviess County Marriage License Fees

Daviess County charges $29.00 for Indiana residents and $69.00 for out-of-state applicants. Both fees include two certified copies of the marriage license after recording. This is a meaningful perk for Daviess County applicants. Most Indiana counties charge $4.00 per certified copy separately, so the all-in pricing at Daviess County saves you a step and some money if you need copies right away.

If you need more than two certified copies after the ceremony, you can request additional copies from the Daviess County Clerk at the standard rate. You can also order certified copies later through the Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages for $8.00 for the first and $4.00 for each additional. Online orders through VitalChek are available with a service fee.

Daviess County Marriage License Validity

Your Daviess County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue under IC 31-11-4-10. Indiana has no waiting period, so the ceremony can take place the same day the license is issued. You can marry anywhere in Indiana, not just in Daviess County or Washington. The license works statewide. Your officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Daviess County Clerk within 60 days of the ceremony under IC 31-11-4-11.

After the clerk records the signed license, the marriage becomes part of the official Daviess County public record. The two certified copies included in the fee are issued at this point. If you need more copies for legal purposes, contact the clerk directly. Expired licenses cannot be renewed in Indiana. If your 60-day window closes before the ceremony, you must apply again and pay the full fee a second time.

Search Daviess County Marriage Records Online

Indiana Courts provides a free public lookup for marriage license records at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covering all 92 Indiana counties, including Daviess County. Records go back to 1993 and can be searched by name. This is useful for verifying that a Daviess County marriage license was issued or for finding basic record information without visiting the courthouse in Washington.

For Daviess County marriage records before 1993, the Indiana State Library Legacy collection has historical vital records extending back to the 1800s and through 2018. These records are free to access and a good resource for genealogy research involving Daviess County. Court records related to Daviess County proceedings can be searched at mycase.in.gov.

Cities in Daviess County

Washington is the county seat of Daviess County and the location of the courthouse where marriage licenses are issued. Other Daviess County communities include Odon, Plainville, and Montgomery. No Daviess County community meets the 25,000 population threshold for an individual city page. All residents of these communities apply for marriage licenses at the Daviess County Courthouse at 200 E. Walnut Street in Washington.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Daviess County in southwest Indiana. Each county clerk handles marriage license applications for residents in their area.