Find DeKalb County Marriage License Records

DeKalb County marriage license records are filed and maintained at the Clerk of Courts office in Auburn. Couples who reside in DeKalb County must apply there in person, and an appointment is required before your visit. This page covers what you need to bring, the fees involved, and how to search for DeKalb County marriage license records online through state databases.

DeKalb County Clerk of Courts

Dana Hedrick serves as the DeKalb County Clerk of Courts in Auburn. This office handles all marriage license applications, issues certified copies, and keeps the official record of every marriage license issued in DeKalb County. The courthouse is at 100 S Main Street in downtown Auburn, and the clerk's office is where you begin the process of getting a DeKalb County marriage license.

One thing that stands out about DeKalb County is that an appointment is required before you visit. Do not just walk in and expect same-day service without calling first. Reach out to the clerk's office at (260) 925-0912 to set up a time that works for both applicants. This helps the office prepare and makes your visit go faster. Under IC 31-11-4-3, both parties must appear in person, so the appointment must be made for both applicants to attend together.

The DeKalb County Clerk's office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM each day. Plan your appointment for morning hours if possible. The office is open Monday through Friday, with morning and afternoon slots available.

Note: DeKalb County requires an appointment. Call (260) 925-0912 before visiting to schedule a time for both applicants to appear.

DeKalb County Clerk Website

The image below shows the DeKalb County Clerk's official page, which includes contact information and details about marriage license applications in Auburn.

Check co.dekalb.in.us for any updates to office hours, appointment availability, or required documents before your visit.

Documents Required for a DeKalb County Marriage License

Both applicants need valid photo ID when they come to the DeKalb County Clerk's office in Auburn. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or birth certificate with a photo ID all satisfy the requirement. The clerk also needs your Social Security number. Most people do not need to bring the actual card, but you should know the number. If you are unsure, check with the office when you make your appointment.

If either applicant has been married before, bring the paperwork that shows how that marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree works, as does a death certificate for a deceased spouse. The DeKalb County Clerk may ask to see the original document or a certified copy. A plain photocopy is usually not enough for this purpose. Under IC 31-11-1-4, both applicants must be at least 18. The 16 or 17 year old exception requires a juvenile court order.

Foreign-language documents need a certified English translation. The clerk cannot process non-English records without a proper translation attached. Have this ready before your appointment so you do not have to reschedule your visit to the Auburn courthouse.

DeKalb County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a DeKalb County marriage license. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. Many Indiana county offices require cash, so plan ahead. Call the DeKalb County Clerk at (260) 925-0912 to confirm whether they accept credit cards or checks before your appointment. Bringing cash is the safest option if you are unsure.

Certified copies of a DeKalb County marriage license cost $4.00 each. You can request additional copies at the time you apply or return later. Some applicants choose to get two or three certified copies right away, since you may need them for tasks like changing your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, or passport. It is cheaper to get extra copies now than to make a second trip to Auburn.

The state of Indiana also offers a Record of Marriage through the Indiana State Department of Health for $8.00. However, certified copies of the actual marriage license are only available from the DeKalb County Clerk. The state retains indexes but not the full license document. For most legal uses, the certified copy from the county is what you will need.

Search DeKalb County Marriage License Records

The state provides a free online tool to search DeKalb County marriage licenses. Go to public.courts.in.gov/MLPL to use the Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup. This database covers licenses issued from 1993 through the present. You can search by last name, filter results to DeKalb County, and narrow by year range. The search is free and open to the public with no login required.

The search tool shows basic license data but does not give you a certified copy. If you need a certified copy for a legal matter, you have to contact the DeKalb County Clerk in Auburn directly. The database is useful for confirming that a license exists or for finding a case number before you make your request to the clerk.

For older DeKalb County marriage records, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ has two separate databases. One covers marriages through 1850, and another covers 1958 through 2018. These are free to use and helpful for genealogy research or tracing family history in DeKalb County.

Note: Records before 1993 are not in the online court database. Contact the DeKalb County Clerk's office for marriage records from that period.

Indiana Marriage License Law in DeKalb County

A DeKalb County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, under IC 31-11-4-10. If your ceremony does not happen within those 60 days, the license expires. You would then need to come back to the Auburn courthouse and start the application process again. Indiana has no waiting period, so you can get married the same day you pick up your license if you choose to.

Under IC 31-11-4-11, the clerk cannot issue a marriage license if either applicant shows signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if the parties are related closer than second cousins. Providing false information when applying is a Level 6 felony under IC 31-11-11-1. Make sure everything you give the clerk is accurate and up to date.

Under IC 31-11-4-18, the DeKalb County Clerk must keep indexed records of all marriages. These records are public. Anyone can ask to see a marriage record at the courthouse, though certified copies come with a $4.00 fee. The record-keeping rules ensure that DeKalb County marriage licenses remain accessible long after the ceremony takes place.

VitalChek at vitalchek.com also processes requests for Indiana vital records and can help you get a copy of a DeKalb County marriage record if you prefer to order online rather than visit Auburn in person.

Cities in DeKalb County

All residents of DeKalb County apply for their marriage license at the Clerk's office in Auburn. This includes residents of Auburn, Garrett, Butler, and other towns throughout the county. No cities in DeKalb County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, so all applicants use the Auburn courthouse as their starting point.

Nearby Counties

DeKalb County sits in the northeastern corner of Indiana. If you live near a county line, confirm with the clerk in your county of residence, as that is where Indiana law requires you to apply for your license.