Newton County Marriage License Records

Newton County marriage licenses are issued by the Newton County Clerk of Circuit Court in Kentland, Indiana. Both applicants must appear in person at the courthouse to complete the application. To search existing Newton County marriage license records, use the free Indiana public lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL, which covers statewide records from 1993 to present.

Newton County Clerk of Circuit Court

The Newton County Clerk handles marriage license applications for the entire county. The office is in Kentland, the county seat, at 201 N 3rd Street. Newton County is one of Indiana's smaller counties, located in the northwest corner of the state near the Illinois border. The clerk's office is open on standard weekday hours and both people planning to marry must come in together to apply.

Kentland sits about 80 miles south of Chicago in the flat farmland of the Kankakee River valley. If you are coming from another part of the state, confirm the clerk's hours before making the trip, since small county offices sometimes adjust their schedules. The Newton County Clerk can answer questions by phone about what to bring and how the process works in this county.

Newton County does not have a local image in our system, so the screenshot above shows the Indiana courts marriage license application portal at courts.in.gov/marriage. This is where you can start the online pre-application before your visit to the Newton County Clerk's office. Using this tool can reduce the time you spend at the counter during your in-person appointment.

Applying for a Newton County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear in person together at the Newton County Clerk's office under IC 31-11-4-3. You may start the online pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage before your visit to save time. The in-person step is still required to complete the application and receive the license.

Bring valid government-issued ID for both applicants. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or birth certificate all work. Your Social Security number is required on the application form. If either person was previously married, bring the date that marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is the clearest documentation. Under IC 31-11-4-1, prior marriage termination must be disclosed before Indiana can issue a new license.

The Newton County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue under IC 31-11-4-10. Indiana has no waiting period between the application date and the date of marriage. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Newton County Clerk within 30 days per IC 31-11-4-18. This filing completes the official record.

Note: Newton County is a small rural county. Online access is limited, so most steps require an in-person visit to the Kentland courthouse.

Newton County Marriage License Fees

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a Newton County marriage license. Out-of-state couples pay $65.00. Certified copies cost $4.00 each. These fee levels are partly set by state statute under IC 31-11-4-11. Call the clerk's office to confirm the current payment methods accepted before your visit.

Certified copies of the Newton County marriage license are useful for changing your name on a driver's license, passport, Social Security card, and bank accounts. You can also get certified Indiana vital records copies through the Indiana Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ or through VitalChek at vitalchek.com for an added service fee.

Searching Newton County Marriage License Records

The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is free and covers all Indiana counties, including Newton County, from 1993 to present. Search by name to find a marriage license. Results show the date and county of issuance. The full application details are not publicly shown in this tool.

For older Newton County marriage records, the Indiana State Library's digital archive at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy/ may have historical filings available. The Newton County Clerk handles records requests that the online tools do not cover. Court records for the county can also be searched at mycase.in.gov.

Age Requirements and Who Can Officiate

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under IC 31-11-1-4. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with parental consent. Anyone under 16 needs both parental consent and a court order. The Newton County Clerk can explain the process for minor applicants.

Indiana law under IC 31-11-6-1 sets out who can legally perform a marriage. Clergy members from recognized organizations, judges, mayors, city clerks, and certain state officials may all officiate. The signed marriage license must be returned to the Newton County Clerk after the ceremony per IC 31-11-11-1. Failing to return it on time can delay or prevent the official recording of your marriage.

Cities in Newton County

Newton County is a small rural county. Its main communities are Kentland, Morocco, Brook, and Goodland. No city in Newton County meets the population threshold for a separate city page on this site. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the Newton County Clerk of Circuit Court in Kentland.

Other communities in Newton County include Morocco, Brook, Goodland, Lake Village, and rural townships. All apply at 201 N 3rd Street, Kentland, IN 47951.

Nearby Counties

Newton County is in northwestern Indiana. These neighboring counties each have clerk offices for marriage license applications.