Delaware County Marriage License Records

Delaware County marriage license applications are processed at the Delaware Justice Center in Muncie, where Rick Spangler serves as the Clerk of Circuit Courts. Both applicants must appear together during specific license hours, so timing your visit matters. This page explains the full process, including what documents to bring, what the fees are, and how to search Delaware County marriage license records using free online tools.

Delaware County Clerk of Circuit Courts

Rick Spangler is the Clerk of Circuit Courts for Delaware County. His office is located at the Delaware Justice Center in Muncie at 3100 S. Tillotson Ave. This is not the traditional downtown courthouse. The Delaware Justice Center is a modern facility on the south side of Muncie that houses multiple court functions, including the Clerk's office where marriage licenses are issued.

Delaware County has specific hours for marriage license applications. The clerk accepts license applications from 8:30 to 11:30 AM and again from 1:30 to 3:30 PM on weekdays. Do not arrive at noon, as the office closes for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, and you would miss the morning window as well. Under IC 31-11-4-3, both parties must be present when applying, so make sure both of you can make it during the license hours listed below.

The state provides an online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage that you can complete before your visit to the Delaware County Clerk. This does not replace the in-person requirement, but it can make the counter visit shorter by having your information ready ahead of time.

Delaware County Clerk Online

The Delaware County Clerk's official website provides current information about marriage license applications, hours, and requirements. The screenshot below was captured from that page.

Visit co.delaware.in.us/clerk/ to verify current hours and any local updates to Delaware County marriage license procedures before your visit to Muncie.

What Delaware County Requires to Apply

Delaware County follows Indiana's standard requirements with a few local specifics. Both applicants must bring valid photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or birth certificate combined with a photo ID. Each person also needs to provide their Social Security number. The clerk will record this information as part of the application.

Delaware County specifically requires a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree if either applicant has been divorced. A plain photocopy will not do. You need the certified version from the court that handled the divorce. If your prior spouse died, bring a certified death certificate. Under IC 31-11-1-4, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Anyone who is 16 or 17 must have a juvenile court order that fully emancipates them and grants approval to marry.

Delaware County also asks for genealogical information for both parents of each applicant. This includes full names, last known address, and birthplace (state or country). Have this info ready when you come in so you are not scrambling at the counter.

Note: Delaware County's marriage license window closes at 11:30 AM and does not reopen until 1:30 PM. Plan your arrival accordingly to avoid a long wait or a missed visit.

Delaware County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a Delaware County marriage license. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. Some Indiana county offices also charge a $4.00 document fee on top of the base license fee, so call the Delaware County Clerk at (765) 747-7726 to confirm the exact amount due. Cash is often required, but confirm payment methods when you call.

Certified copies of the Delaware County marriage license are $4.00 each. Many people request two or three copies at the time they apply. You may need one for a name change, one for insurance purposes, and one to keep. Getting copies at the time of application is more convenient than making a return trip to Muncie. The Delaware Justice Center is on the south side of town, so it is worth making one good trip rather than two.

The Indiana State Department of Health charges $8.00 for a state-level Record of Marriage, with each additional copy at $4.00. However, this is a summary record. For a certified copy of the actual Delaware County marriage license, go to the Clerk of Circuit Courts. VitalChek at vitalchek.com can process Indiana vital record requests online for those who prefer to order by mail or over the web.

Search Delaware County Marriage Licenses Online

The Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is free and covers all Indiana counties, including Delaware County, from 1993 to the present. Search by entering at least one last name. You can also filter by county and year range to narrow your results. The tool shows basic license data like names, county, and date, but does not provide a certified copy of the document itself.

This is the same database referenced by the Indiana Courts' official page at in.gov/courts/public-records/. It is a good starting point for confirming a license exists or for looking up a case before making a formal request at the Delaware County Clerk's office. The tool works best when you know at least one of the applicants' last names.

For Delaware County marriage records before 1993, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ has two free databases: one covering marriages through 1850 and another covering 1958 through 2018. These are useful for genealogical research and for tracking down older records not in the court database.

License Rules and Indiana Law in Delaware County

A Delaware 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 you may marry the same day you receive your license from the Muncie office. If your 60-day window passes without a ceremony, you will need to apply again and pay the fee a second time.

Under IC 31-11-4-11, the Delaware County Clerk cannot issue a marriage license if either applicant is visibly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, has been adjudged mentally incompetent, or if the couple is related closer than second cousins. Under IC 31-11-11-1, giving false information on a marriage license application is a Level 6 felony in Indiana. All information you provide must be truthful and accurate.

Under IC 31-11-4-18, the Delaware County Clerk is required by law to maintain indexed records of all marriages. These records are public, though certified copies cost $4.00. Delaware County marriage licenses issued since 1993 appear in the state's online lookup tool. Older records require a visit or written request to the Muncie office.

Ceremonies in Delaware County can be performed by a judge, religious officiant, or other person authorized under IC 31-11-6-1. Once the ceremony is done, the signed license must be returned to the Delaware County Clerk within a set period. The clerk records the marriage and can issue certified copies from that point forward.

Cities in Delaware County

Muncie is the county seat and the largest city in Delaware County. Residents of Muncie and all other cities in Delaware County apply for marriage licenses at the Delaware County Clerk's office in Muncie.

Nearby Counties

Delaware County is in east-central Indiana. Residents near county lines should confirm their county of residence before applying, as Indiana requires you to apply in the county where you live.