Search Marriage Licenses in LaGrange County

LaGrange County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in LaGrange, Indiana. LaGrange County is home to one of Indiana's largest Amish communities, which gives the county a character unlike most others in the state. This page covers how to apply for a LaGrange County marriage license, what to bring, the fees involved, and how to search existing records.

LaGrange County Clerk's Office

The LaGrange County Clerk maintains marriage licenses and court records for the county. Unlike many Indiana counties, LaGrange County has three separate locations associated with the clerk's office and county government: the Courthouse at 105 N Detroit St., the Office Building at 114 W Michigan St., and the Justice Building at 105 N High St., all in LaGrange, IN 46761. Call the clerk at (260) 499-6372 before your visit to confirm which location handles marriage license applications. The fax number is (260) 499-6403.

Standard office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The LaGrange County Clerk handles marriage licenses, court records management, election administration, and serves as secretary to the County Election Board. The clerk's website at lagrangecounty.org provides current contact details and service information. Because LaGrange County has multiple office locations, calling ahead is more important here than in counties with a single courthouse.

LaGrange County's significant Amish population means the county sees a unique mix of marriage applications. Indiana law applies to all couples equally regardless of religious tradition, though specific religious ceremonies and traditions differ. The clerk's office processes all applications under the same Indiana Code requirements. Both applicants must appear together in person under IC 31-11-4-3.

Applying for a LaGrange County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear together at the LaGrange County Clerk's Office to apply for a marriage license. Indiana Code IC 31-11-4-3 requires this statewide. The clerk will not issue a license if only one person shows up. Before your visit, call (260) 499-6372 to confirm which LaGrange County location is handling marriage license applications that day, since the county operates out of multiple buildings.

The online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage is available for LaGrange County couples. Completing this before your in-person visit can speed up the process. You enter both applicants' names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers, addresses, and prior marriage history. The clerk will verify your pre-application data against the documents you bring. Using the pre-application does not replace the in-person visit, but it can reduce the time spent at the counter.

Indiana has no waiting period. You can get married the same day you receive your LaGrange County marriage license. The license is valid for 60 days under IC 31-11-4-10. If your ceremony is far off, wait to apply. No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement for the county itself, though at least one applicant must be an Indiana resident or the wedding must take place in Indiana for a county-based residency rate to apply.

Note: LaGrange County has three office locations. Call before visiting to avoid going to the wrong building. This is especially important if you are driving from outside the county.

What LaGrange County Requires

Valid identification is required for both applicants. A driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport is the standard. 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 card, just the number. The clerk records this as part of the Indiana marriage license application as required by state law.

Both applicants must be at least 18 under IC 31-11-1-4. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with parental consent. No one under 16 may marry in Indiana under any circumstances. Age is verified from the IDs provided at the time of application. If either applicant has been married before, provide the date the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is the proper documentation. Under IC 31-11-4-1, Indiana does not allow a person to marry while still legally married to someone else. Both applicants must affirm this under IC 31-11-4-18 at the time of application.

LaGrange County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a LaGrange County marriage license. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. The resident rate applies when at least one applicant lives in Indiana. Call the clerk at (260) 499-6372 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit. Some county clerks prefer cash or money order, while others accept cards. Knowing this in advance saves time on the day of your appointment.

Certified copies of LaGrange County marriage records are available from the clerk's office. These copies carry an official seal and are accepted by government agencies, banks, insurance companies, and legal offices as proof of marriage. Having at least two certified copies when you leave the clerk's office is useful, since different agencies often ask for their own copy rather than sharing one. The fee per certified copy follows the county's standard copy fee schedule.

The Indiana Judicial Branch courts portal at courts.in.gov/marriage shows the pre-application steps that apply to LaGrange County.

The image above is from the Indiana courts marriage license information page, which LaGrange County couples access when completing the online pre-application at courts.in.gov before visiting the county clerk in LaGrange.

For certified copy orders placed remotely, VitalChek handles Indiana vital records online. A service fee is added to online orders through VitalChek. Processing time is longer than an in-person visit but can be useful if you cannot make the trip to LaGrange.

Search LaGrange County Marriage Records

The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers LaGrange County marriage license records from 1993 to the present. The search is free. Enter the name of either party and the system returns results with the county of issue, the date, and both parties' names. This is the simplest way to look up a LaGrange County marriage record without visiting the clerk's office in person.

For records before 1993, contact the LaGrange County Clerk directly at (260) 499-6372. Staff can search older records by name and approximate date. The Indiana State Library's historical database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy may hold older LaGrange County marriage records. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages maintains statewide vital records. The Indiana MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov covers court filings and can be useful for court-related marriage records in LaGrange County.

After Your LaGrange County License Is Issued

After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the LaGrange 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 file the license. That is solely the officiant's responsibility. Given LaGrange County's multiple office locations, make sure your officiant knows which specific location to return the license to. Calling (260) 499-6372 can confirm the correct return address.

Indiana law under IC 31-11-6-1 authorizes judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers to perform marriages. This includes ordained ministers from both mainstream and Amish or Mennonite traditions, which are common in LaGrange County. Once the signed license is returned and recorded, the LaGrange County marriage becomes a public record under IC 31-11-11-1. Certified copies can be obtained from the clerk's office at any time after the record is filed.

Cities in LaGrange County

LaGrange County includes the city of LaGrange, as well as Shipshewana, Topeka, and other communities spread throughout the county. All marriage license applications for LaGrange County residents are processed through the County Clerk's Office. No cities in LaGrange County meet the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

LaGrange County is in northeastern Indiana near the Michigan border. The counties below share borders with LaGrange County and each has its own marriage license clerk.