Shelby County Marriage License Records

Shelby County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in Shelbyville. Both applicants must appear together in person, show valid ID, and pay the fee when they apply. This page covers how to get a Shelby County marriage license, what documents you need, the fees involved, and how to look up existing marriage records in the county.

Shelby County Clerk Office

Jill Lacy serves as the Shelby County Clerk. The office is at 407 South Harrison Street in Shelbyville and handles all marriage license applications in the county. The clerk maintains Shelby County marriage records going back many years and can assist with searches, new applications, and certified copies. Staff are generally available to answer questions during regular office hours, Monday through Friday.

You can reach the clerk's office by phone at (317) 392-6320, by fax at (317) 392-6339, or by email at jtaylor@co.shelby.in.us. The Shelby County Clerk's website at clerk.shelbycounty73.us has current information on the office and its services. Before your visit, the Indiana Courts pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage lets you submit your personal information online, which can speed things up at the window in Shelbyville.

The screenshot above is from the Shelby County Clerk's official website, which provides contact details and service information for the Shelbyville office.

How to Apply for a Shelby County Marriage License

Both people must go to the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville at the same time. There is no way to do this step by mail or online alone. Under IC 31-11-4-3, both applicants must appear in person before the clerk. Each person needs to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all work. Both applicants must also provide their Social Security numbers. This information is required to complete the license and file it with the county.

Indiana has no waiting period. You can hold your ceremony the same day you get the Shelby County marriage license. The license remains valid for 60 days from the date it is issued under IC 31-11-4-10. If you don't use it in time, you must reapply and pay again. There is no blood test requirement in Indiana. You must be at least 18 to apply without parental consent under IC 31-11-1-4. Applicants who are 16 or 17 must have a parent or legal guardian come with them to Shelbyville.

Prior marriages require proof. If either applicant is divorced, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate. Uncertified copies are typically not accepted. Bring the official documents to avoid a second trip to the Shelby County Courthouse.

Note: A Shelby County marriage license can be used anywhere in Indiana, not just within the county limits.

Shelby County Marriage License Cost

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a Shelby County marriage license. Out-of-state applicants pay $65.00. Pay the fee at the clerk's window when you apply in Shelbyville. Call (317) 392-6320 or email jtaylor@co.shelby.in.us to confirm which payment methods are accepted before your visit. Some county offices do not take cards, so cash or a check may be required.

Certified copies of the Shelby County marriage record are available after the clerk records the returned license. These copies are commonly needed for name changes on a Social Security card, driver's license, or passport, as well as for updating insurance and financial accounts. The clerk can provide the current copy fee when you contact the office.

Note: Fees can change over time. Confirm the current rate with the Shelby County Clerk before your visit to make sure you bring enough.

Shelby County Marriage License Search

Indiana's free public marriage license lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers records from 1993 to the present for all Indiana counties, including Shelby. Enter a name to find when the license was issued, the names of both parties, and the county. This is the easiest way to check a recent Shelby County marriage license from home.

For records before 1993, contact the Shelby County Clerk at (317) 392-6320 or by email. Older records are stored at the courthouse but are not part of the online system. The Indiana State Library has older digitized vital records at digital.statelib.lib.in.us that may include older Shelby County marriage data. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages maintains vital marriage records for Indiana. You can order certified copies through VitalChek online if you can't travel to Shelbyville.

Recording a Shelby County Marriage

After your wedding ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Shelby County Clerk within 30 days. This is required under IC 31-11-4-18. When the clerk receives it, the Shelby County marriage record is recorded and becomes a permanent public document under IC 31-11-6-1. Anyone may request to view or copy a filed record.

Officiants must be legally authorized to perform marriages in Indiana under IC 31-11-11-1. This includes judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers. Check an online officiant's credentials carefully before your wedding date. Under IC 31-11-4-11, the officiant must provide each couple with a marriage certificate at the ceremony. Keep that document safe while the license is being processed and returned to the Shelby County Clerk's office in Shelbyville.

Cities in Shelby County

Shelbyville is the county seat and main city in Shelby County. Morristown and St. Paul are smaller communities in the area. No Shelby County cities meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site, but all county residents apply for marriage licenses at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Shelby County in central Indiana. Any Indiana county clerk can issue a marriage license, so a nearby office may be more convenient depending on where you live.