Putnam County Marriage License Search

Putnam County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in Greencastle. Both applicants must appear in person, show valid ID, and pay the fee when they apply. This page explains the full process for getting a Putnam County marriage license, what documents you need, what the fees are, and how to look up older marriage records in the county.

Putnam County Clerk Office

Tracy L. Bridges serves as Putnam County Clerk. The office is at 1 Courthouse Square in Greencastle. The clerk handles all marriage license applications in Putnam County and keeps records going back many years. The office also maintains civil court records and can help you get certified copies of filed marriage licenses. Staff are generally available to answer questions during regular business hours.

The Putnam County Clerk's marriage license page at co.putnam.in.us/clerk/marriage-license has specific information on the application process. This is worth checking before your visit because some counties have additional local requirements or accept pre-applications in a certain way. If you have questions about prior marriages or ID requirements, call the office before going to Greencastle. The clerk's staff can answer most questions over the phone and help you make sure you have everything you need.

The screenshot above is from the Putnam County Clerk's marriage license page, which provides the local application details and contact information for the Greencastle courthouse.

How to Get a Putnam County Marriage License

Both people getting married must go to the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle together. You cannot apply by mail, online only, or separately. Under IC 31-11-4-3, both applicants must appear in person before the clerk at the time of the application. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all meet the requirement. Each applicant must also provide their Social Security number. The clerk records this as part of the license application.

Indiana does not have a waiting period. You can pick up the Putnam County marriage license and hold your ceremony the same day if you want. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date under IC 31-11-4-10. If you let it expire, you must apply again and pay the fee again. There is no blood test required in Indiana. Minimum age is 18 without parental consent, as set by IC 31-11-1-4. Those who are 16 or 17 can apply if a parent or guardian comes with them.

Prior marriages require documentation. If either applicant is divorced, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. If a prior spouse is deceased, bring a death certificate. Plain photocopies are typically not accepted. Bring the official certified versions to avoid having to make a second trip to Greencastle.

The Indiana Courts pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage lets you fill in your personal information online before visiting the Putnam County Clerk. This is optional but can speed things up at the window. It is not a complete substitute for the in-person application, but it helps.

Note: A Putnam County marriage license works anywhere in Indiana. You don't have to hold the ceremony in Putnam County.

Putnam County Marriage License Fee

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a marriage license in Putnam County. Out-of-state applicants pay $65.00. Pay the fee at the time of application. Before you go, call the clerk's office to confirm accepted payment forms. Some county offices don't accept credit or debit cards, so having cash or a check is a safer choice.

Certified copies of the Putnam County marriage record are available after the ceremony has been performed and the license returned and recorded by the clerk. Copy fees are separate from the license fee. The clerk can give you the current rate when you visit or call.

Note: The fees noted here are set at the county level and may change. Always confirm the current amount before your visit.

Putnam County Marriage Record Search

Indiana's free public marriage license lookup is at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. This covers Putnam County marriage records from 1993 to the present. Search by name to see the issue date, names of both applicants, and the county where the license was issued. This is the easiest way to verify a recent Putnam County marriage license without making a trip to Greencastle.

For records before 1993, contact the Putnam County Clerk directly. Older data is not in the online system and requires a manual search at the courthouse. The Indiana State Library has digitized older vital records at digital.statelib.lib.in.us that may cover older Putnam County marriages. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages maintains vital marriage records for the state. You can order certified copies online through VitalChek if visiting the courthouse in Greencastle isn't an option.

Recording Your Putnam County Marriage

After your wedding, the officiant must return the completed license to the Putnam County Clerk within 30 days. This is a legal requirement under IC 31-11-4-18. When the clerk receives it, the marriage is recorded and becomes a permanent public record under IC 31-11-6-1. Anyone can request to view or copy a Putnam County marriage record after it has been recorded.

Make sure your officiant is legally authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Indiana. IC 31-11-11-1 outlines who qualifies. Judges, magistrates, and licensed ministers are typically authorized. If you're using someone ordained through an online service, verify that they meet Indiana's requirements before your ceremony date. Under IC 31-11-4-11, the officiant must provide you with a marriage certificate on the day of the ceremony. Keep this safe as a backup while you wait for the official record to be processed and returned.

Cities in Putnam County

Greencastle is the county seat of Putnam County. Cloverdale, Bainbridge, and Roachdale are smaller communities in the area. No cities in Putnam County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site, but all residents apply for marriage licenses at the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Putnam County. You may apply for an Indiana marriage license at any county clerk's office, not just the one in Greencastle.