Find Knox County Marriage License Records

Knox County marriage licenses are issued by Clerk David Shelton at the Vincennes courthouse in southwestern Indiana. This page covers how to apply for a Knox County marriage license, what documents to bring, the applicable fees, and how to search or obtain copies of marriage records through Indiana's official databases.

Knox County Clerk's Office

David Shelton serves as Knox County Clerk. The clerk's office is in the Courthouse in Vincennes, IN 47591. Knox County holds a notable place in Indiana history as the first county in the state, established in 1790. Vincennes, the county seat, was Indiana's first capital. The clerk's office in Vincennes continues to serve as the official source for marriage licenses and all court records in Knox County.

The main phone for the Knox County Clerk's Office is (812) 885-2521. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk's website at knoxcounty.in.gov/county-departments/clerk-of-the-courts provides additional contact details and service information. The office handles marriage licenses, court records administration, election management, and child support collection for all of Knox County. Call ahead to confirm the best time to come in for a marriage license application.

Both applicants must appear together in person at the Knox County Clerk's Office. This is required under Indiana Code IC 31-11-4-3. There are no exceptions. Plan your visit so both of you can attend together during regular business hours in Vincennes.

Applying for a Knox County Marriage License

Before visiting the Knox County Courthouse in Vincennes, complete the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage. This Indiana Judicial Branch tool lets you enter your information in advance so the clerk can process your application more efficiently. Knox County accepts online pre-applications, and using one can shorten your wait at the clerk's window on the day of your visit.

When you arrive at the Vincennes courthouse, both applicants need to present valid identification. The clerk will verify your identities, check your ages and prior marriage status, collect the fee, and issue the Knox County marriage license. Indiana has no waiting period between license issuance and the ceremony. You can get married the same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date under IC 31-11-4-10.

Knox County is in southwestern Indiana, and the drive to Vincennes from parts of the county can be significant. Planning your visit during regular office hours to avoid a wasted trip is important. The clerk's office closes at 4:00 PM, so arrive early if you need extra time for questions or document review.

Note: Knox County has a history of serving as Indiana's first county, established in 1790. The Vincennes courthouse reflects that long history and still operates as the center of Knox County government today.

Knox County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must present valid photo identification at the Knox County Clerk's Office. A driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID is accepted. The ID must show your legal name and date of birth. The clerk will verify this information against your pre-application data if you completed the online form. Social Security Numbers are also required for both applicants under Indiana law. You do not need to bring the Social Security card itself, but you do need to know your number.

Age requirements follow Indiana state law. Both applicants must be at least 18 under IC 31-11-1-4. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may marry in Indiana with parental consent. The Knox County Clerk will verify age from the IDs provided. If either applicant has been previously married, bring documentation showing the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate works. Under IC 31-11-4-1, no prior marriage can still be legally in effect when a new application is filed. Both parties must also affirm under IC 31-11-4-18 that no legal reason prevents them from marrying.

Knox County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a Knox County marriage license. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. Certified copies of the marriage record cost $4.00 each. These fees are consistent with the Indiana state standard for county clerk offices. Call the Knox County Clerk at (812) 885-2521 to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before your visit.

The Indiana courts pre-application portal shown below covers the steps Knox County couples take before visiting the Vincennes courthouse.

The image above is from the Indiana Judicial Branch courts marriage license page. Knox County couples use this portal to complete the optional online pre-application before their in-person visit to the Vincennes courthouse.

Certified copies of Knox County marriage records are available from the clerk's office. Most agencies that require proof of marriage want certified copies with the official seal, not plain photocopies. Getting at least one or two certified copies when you pick up the license saves you a return trip to Vincennes later. If you cannot visit in person, VitalChek handles Indiana vital record orders online with a service fee added to the standard record cost.

Search Knox County Marriage Records Online

Indiana's free marriage license public lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL includes Knox County records from 1993 to the present. Enter the name of either party and the search returns matching records with the date and county of issue. No account or fee is needed to use the tool. It is the fastest way to locate a Knox County marriage record without traveling to Vincennes.

For records before 1993, contact the Knox County Clerk's Office at (812) 885-2521. Staff can search paper records by name or approximate date. The Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy maintains historical records that may include older Knox County marriage data. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages is the statewide vital records authority. Court-related records in Knox County can be searched through the Indiana MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov. For certified copies, visit the Knox County Clerk's Office in Vincennes or order online through VitalChek.

After Your Knox County Marriage License Is Issued

The officiant who performs your ceremony must sign the Knox 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 handle this filing. The officiant bears that responsibility. Remind your officiant about this legal obligation before the ceremony. If the license is not returned, follow up with the Knox County Clerk's Office to find out how to address it.

Authorized officiants in Indiana include judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers under IC 31-11-6-1. Once the signed Knox County marriage license is filed with the clerk, it becomes a permanent public record under IC 31-11-11-1. Certified copies can be obtained from the Knox County Clerk's Office in Vincennes at any time after the record is filed.

Cities in Knox County

Knox County includes Vincennes, Bicknell, Bruceville, and other communities throughout the county. All marriage license applications for Knox County residents go through the Clerk's Office at the Vincennes courthouse. No cities in Knox County meet the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Knox County is in southwestern Indiana, bordered by Illinois to the west. The following Indiana counties share borders with Knox County and each has its own clerk's office for marriage license applications.