Jasper County Marriage License Records

Jasper County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in Rensselaer, Indiana. Jasper County requires couples to complete an online pre-application before visiting the clerk's office. This page explains the full application process, the required documents, fees, and how to search existing marriage records in Jasper County.

Jasper County Clerk's Office

Kara Fishburn serves as County Clerk for Jasper County. Her office is located at 115 W Washington St, Suite 204, Rensselaer, IN 47978. The clerk is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, maintaining court records, and overseeing elections in Jasper County. The main phone line is (219) 866-4926. For marriage license questions specifically, call (219) 866-5297 or (219) 866-4925. These are the direct lines for the marriage license department within the clerk's office.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Marriage licenses are issued by appointment only, and the appointment window runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Do not arrive at 3:30 PM hoping to apply for a Jasper County marriage license. Appointments cut off an hour before closing, so plan accordingly. The clerk's office is also located inside the Microfilm Department on the first floor of the Jasper County Courthouse.

One important note for Jasper County: the clerk's office is not performing marriages at this time. If you want to marry at the courthouse or have a court official officiate, you will need to make other arrangements. The clerk can issue your license but will not perform the ceremony.

How to Get a Jasper County Marriage License

Jasper County requires that couples complete the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage before coming to the courthouse. This is a hard requirement, not just a recommendation. Do not show up without completing the pre-application first. The clerk's office will not process your application if you have not completed it online beforehand. This is different from most Indiana counties, where the online pre-application is optional. Jasper County makes it mandatory.

Once you have completed the pre-application, call the clerk's office to schedule your appointment. Use the marriage license line at (219) 866-5297 or (219) 866-4925 to book your time slot. Both applicants must appear together at the courthouse during the appointment, as required by IC 31-11-4-3. Bring your identification, fee payment, and any required documentation for prior marriages.

There is no waiting period in Indiana, so Jasper County couples can get married the same day the license is issued. Under IC 31-11-4-10, the license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. No witnesses are required in Jasper County, though you may choose to have them at your ceremony.

Note: The Jasper County Clerk requires appointment scheduling by phone after completing the online pre-application. Walk-ins for marriage licenses are not guaranteed to be accommodated.

Jasper County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants in Jasper County must be 18 years old or older under IC 31-11-1-4. Applicants between 16 and 17 require a court order in Jasper County, not just parental consent. This is slightly stricter than some Indiana counties. If either applicant is under 18, contact the clerk at (219) 866-4926 to find out exactly what documentation is needed before you apply.

Valid identification is required for both applicants. Jasper County accepts a driver's license, state-issued ID, original birth certificate, military ID, or passport. Any of these will work as long as it clearly shows your identity and date of birth. If you use a birth certificate, bring a photo ID as well to confirm your identity visually. Matching your legal name across documents is important. If your name differs between documents, be prepared to explain or provide a name change record.

If you have been previously married, you must provide information about the month, year, and manner in which that marriage ended. Under IC 31-11-4-1, no prior marriage can be in effect when a new one is entered. The clerk will ask for this information and may request documentation. A divorce decree or death certificate is the best form of proof. Under IC 31-11-4-18, both applicants must affirm there is no legal impediment to their marriage. Social Security Numbers are also required as part of the Indiana marriage license application.

Jasper County Marriage License Fees

Jasper County residents pay $29.00 for a marriage license. This is slightly higher than the state base rate because Jasper County adds a small administrative fee. Non-Indiana residents pay $69.00. Both fees must be paid in cash or money order. The Jasper County Clerk's Office does not accept personal checks or credit cards for marriage license payments. Bring exact change or a money order for the right amount when you come to your appointment.

The Indiana Judicial Branch pre-application portal used by Jasper County is shown in the screenshot below. It covers the online steps you must complete before visiting the clerk's office.

The image above is from the Indiana courts marriage license information page at courts.in.gov. Jasper County couples must use this portal to complete the required online pre-application before their appointment at the Rensselaer courthouse.

Certified copies of Jasper County marriage records are available from the clerk's office. The fee for certified copies is separate from the license fee. Call (219) 866-4926 to ask about the current certified copy fee and whether mail-in requests are accepted. Getting certified copies at the time you pick up your license is often the most convenient approach, since you will need them for name changes and other official purposes.

Search Jasper County Marriage License Records

Indiana's free marriage license lookup tool covers Jasper County records from 1993 to the present. Access it at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. Enter the name of either party and the system will return matching records with the county, date, and both parties' names. This is a free public resource that requires no login or registration. It is the best starting point for anyone looking up Jasper County marriage records without visiting the courthouse.

For older records, the Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy holds historical marriage data that may include Jasper County records predating 1993. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages is the statewide repository for vital records, and it can be a resource for historical records as well. Certified copies of Jasper County marriage licenses can be ordered through VitalChek if you cannot visit the courthouse in Rensselaer. A service fee applies to online orders through VitalChek.

After Your Jasper County Marriage License Is Issued

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the Jasper County marriage license and return it to the clerk's office within 30 days. This is required under IC 31-11-4-11. The couple does not return the license. The officiant does. Make sure your officiant knows this obligation and has the return address for the Jasper County Clerk's Office at 115 W Washington St, Suite 204, Rensselaer.

Indiana allows a wide range of people to officiate marriages under IC 31-11-6-1, including judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers. Since the Jasper County Clerk is not performing ceremonies at this time, couples need to arrange their own officiant. Once the completed license is returned and recorded, the Jasper County marriage becomes a permanent public record under IC 31-11-11-1. The record is accessible to anyone upon request from the clerk's office in Rensselaer.

Cities in Jasper County

Jasper County includes the city of Rensselaer and smaller communities like Remington, DeMotte, and Wheatfield. All marriage license applications for residents of Jasper County are processed at the Clerk's Office in Rensselaer. No cities in Jasper County meet the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Jasper County is in northwest Indiana. The counties listed below border Jasper County. Each has its own clerk's office and application process for marriage licenses.