Pike County Marriage License Records

The Pike County Clerk in Petersburg issues all marriage licenses in the county. Couples must appear in person together, show valid photo ID, and pay the license fee at the time of application. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting a Pike County marriage license, including what to bring, what it costs, and how to search older marriage records.

Pike County Clerk Office

Alan Evans serves as Clerk in Pike County. The office is at 801 Main Street in Petersburg and handles marriage license applications Monday through Friday. The clerk maintains all marriage records for Pike County, including newly issued licenses and older records going back many years. Staff can help you search for a specific record or answer questions about the application process.

The Pike County Clerk's website at pikecounty.in.gov has office information and may list any current updates or closures. If you have questions about what to bring or how to handle a prior marriage situation, calling the office before your visit is the best approach. The fax number is (812) 354-6369 if you need to send documents ahead of time.

The screenshot above is from the Pike County official website, which provides clerk contact information and local government services.

Applying for a Pike County Marriage License

Both people getting married must go to the Pike County Courthouse in Petersburg at the same time. You cannot send one person first and have the other come in separately. Under IC 31-11-4-3, both parties must appear in person before the clerk to apply. Bring your photo ID: a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. The clerk needs to see a government-issued document with your photo and date of birth.

Your Social Security number is required. You don't need to bring the card itself, but you must provide the number. If either person was married before, bring a divorce decree showing the marriage ended, or a death certificate if a prior spouse is deceased. A copy of the final divorce order works if it is a certified court copy, not just a regular photocopy.

Indiana has no waiting period. You can get married the same day you pick up the license from the Pike County Clerk. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, under IC 31-11-4-10. There is no blood test requirement. Minimum age under IC 31-11-1-4 is 18 without consent. Sixteen and 17-year-olds can apply if a parent or guardian is present.

The Indiana Courts pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage lets you submit your information online before your visit to the Pike County Courthouse. This is optional but can shorten your wait time at the window.

Note: The license can be used anywhere in Indiana, not just Pike County, but it cannot be used for ceremonies outside the state.

Pike County Marriage License Cost

The fee in Pike County is $29.00 for Indiana residents and $65.00 for out-of-state applicants. This is slightly higher than some other Indiana counties. The $4 documentation fee is included in the Pike County total. Pay when you apply. Ask the clerk about accepted payment methods before you visit, since not all county offices take credit cards.

If you need certified copies of the marriage record after the ceremony, additional fees apply per copy. Certified copies are used for name changes, insurance updates, and legal matters. The Pike County Clerk can provide current copy pricing when you contact the office.

Note: Fee amounts can change, so always confirm the current rate with the clerk before your visit to the courthouse in Petersburg.

Search Pike County Marriage Records

Indiana's free public search portal for marriage records is available at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. This tool covers Pike County marriage licenses issued from 1993 through the present. Search by name to see the date the license was issued, the names of both parties, and the county. This is the fastest way to verify a recent Pike County marriage license.

For records older than 1993, contact the Pike County Clerk directly at (812) 354-6025. Older records are kept at the courthouse but may require a manual search, which can take extra time. The Indiana State Library has digitized older records that may include Pike County marriage data. Visit digital.statelib.lib.in.us to search those archives. The Indiana State Department of Health maintains vital marriage records at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages. You can also order certified copies through VitalChek if visiting the courthouse in Petersburg is not practical.

Indiana Marriage Law and Pike County

The Pike County Clerk follows Indiana's marriage statutes for all license applications. IC 31-11-4-1 defines which county clerks may issue marriage licenses and what the application must include. After the wedding, the officiant is required to return the completed license to the Pike County Clerk within 30 days under IC 31-11-4-18.

The clerk records the marriage and forwards the data to the Indiana State Department of Health. Records become permanent public documents under IC 31-11-6-1. Anyone can request to view or copy a Pike County marriage record. Officiants must be legally authorized to perform marriages in Indiana under IC 31-11-11-1. Using someone who is not authorized can create legal complications with the marriage record, so confirm your officiant's credentials well before your wedding day.

Cities in Pike County

Petersburg is the county seat and largest city in Pike County. Otwell and Winslow are smaller communities in the county. No Pike County cities reach the population threshold for individual city pages, but all residents apply for marriage licenses at the Pike County Courthouse in Petersburg.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pike County. Any Indiana county clerk can issue a marriage license, so you're not limited to applying in Petersburg if another courthouse is closer to where you live.