Jefferson County Marriage License Records
Jefferson County, Indiana marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Madison. This page covers how to apply for a Jefferson County marriage license, what the clerk requires, the fees involved, and how to search and request copies of marriage records from Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Clerk's Office
The Jefferson County Clerk's Office is located on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse at 300 E Main Street, Room 203, Madison, IN 47250. The clerk is the official keeper of marriage records in Jefferson County. This office issues new marriage licenses, maintains completed records, and provides certified copies to the public. Marriage and divorce records in Jefferson County are both maintained by the Clerk's Office, not the Health Department. This matters if you are searching for either type of record and need to know where to go.
You can reach the Jefferson County Clerk's Office at (812) 265-8922. The fax number is (812) 273-5428. Office hours follow standard Indiana business hours, Monday through Friday, though it is always a good idea to call before making the drive to Madison. The county website at jeffersoncounty.in.gov provides current contact details and any service updates. The Indiana MyCase portal is also available for searching court records tied to Jefferson County marriages.
| Address | 300 E Main Street, Room 203, Madison, IN 47250 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (812) 265-8922 |
| Fax | (812) 273-5428 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Website | jeffersoncounty.in.gov |
How to Apply for a Jefferson County Marriage License
Both applicants must appear together at the Jefferson County Clerk's Office in Madison to apply for a marriage license. This is required under Indiana Code IC 31-11-4-3. Neither applicant can submit their portion separately or send a representative. Both people must be physically present at the same time. The clerk will verify your identities, check your documents, collect the fee, and issue the license during the same visit.
Before your visit, complete the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage. This Indiana Judicial Branch tool lets you enter your personal information in advance. The Jefferson County Clerk will use this data during your in-person appointment. Using the pre-application does not replace the visit, but it makes the process at the window quicker. Indiana has no waiting period, so you can get married the same day you receive your Jefferson County marriage license.
Under IC 31-11-4-10, the Jefferson County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If your wedding is scheduled more than two months out, wait to apply so the license does not expire before you use it. The county also uses the Indiana MyCase portal for court record searches, which can be useful if you need to look up a marriage-related court filing in Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Marriage License Requirements
Valid identification is required for both applicants at the Jefferson County Clerk's Office. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID is accepted. The ID must show your legal name and date of birth. Both applicants must also provide their Social Security Numbers. You do not need the physical card, just the number. The clerk will record it as part of the application as required under Indiana law.
The minimum age in Indiana is 18 under IC 31-11-1-4. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent. The Jefferson County Clerk will verify ages through the identification documents you provide. If either applicant has been previously married, you must disclose this on the application and provide the date the prior marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. This confirms compliance with IC 31-11-4-1, which prohibits marrying while a prior marriage is still legally in effect.
Both applicants must affirm under IC 31-11-4-18 that there is no legal reason they cannot marry. The clerk will record this affirmation during the application process. Providing false information on a Jefferson County marriage license application is a criminal offense under Indiana law.
Jefferson County Marriage License Fees
The Jefferson County Clerk's website and available records show a fee in the range of $25.00 for Indiana residents, consistent with the state standard. Verify the current fee when you call (812) 265-8922, as fees can change. Out-of-state residents typically pay $65.00. Certified copies of Jefferson County marriage records are available for $4.00 each.
The clerk's website at jeffersoncounty.in.gov provides the most current fee schedule information. Call the office ahead of time to confirm the exact amount and accepted payment methods. Some Indiana county clerks prefer cash or money order, while others accept credit and debit cards. Knowing this before you arrive avoids any issues on the day of your application.
The Jefferson County Clerk's Office is shown in the screenshot below, captured from the official county website.
The image above is the Jefferson County Clerk's website, which serves as the primary local resource for marriage license applications and record requests in Madison, Indiana.
Note: Getting at least one certified copy when you pick up your Jefferson County marriage license is a smart move. Certified copies are needed for name change requests, financial accounts, insurance updates, and other legal purposes after the wedding.
Search Jefferson County Marriage Records
The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is a free search tool for Jefferson County marriage records from 1993 to the present. Enter the name of either party and the search returns results with the county of issue, date, and names of both parties. This tool covers all Indiana counties and is the fastest starting point for any search of Jefferson County marriage license records.
For records before 1993, contact the Jefferson County Clerk's Office directly at (812) 265-8922. The staff can search older paper records by name or date. Historical Jefferson County marriage records may also be available through the Indiana State Library's digital archive at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy. For certified copies, the Jefferson County Clerk's Office in Madison is the official source. You can also order through VitalChek with an added service fee. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages maintains statewide vital records including Jefferson County marriage data.
After the Jefferson County License Is Issued
The officiant who performs your ceremony must sign the Jefferson County marriage license and return it to the clerk's office within 30 days of the wedding. This is required under IC 31-11-4-11. The couple does not return the license. It is the officiant's responsibility. Couples should remind their officiant of this obligation both before and after the ceremony. Failure to return the license can leave the marriage unrecorded in the Jefferson County files.
Authorized officiants in Indiana include judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers under IC 31-11-6-1. Once the signed license is filed with the Jefferson County Clerk, the marriage is officially recorded and becomes a public record under IC 31-11-11-1. Certified copies can be obtained from the clerk's office in Madison for any legal or personal purposes that require proof of marriage.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County includes Madison, Hanover, Dupont, and other communities. Madison is the county seat and where the clerk's office is located. All marriage license applications for residents of any community in Jefferson County go through the Clerk's Office at 300 E Main Street in Madison. No cities in Jefferson County meet the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County is in southeastern Indiana along the Ohio River. The counties below share borders with Jefferson County. Each has its own clerk's office for marriage license applications.