Find Wells County Marriage License Records

Wells County marriage licenses are issued at the Clerk of the Circuit Courts office in Bluffton, Indiana. Beth Davis serves as clerk and oversees all marriage license applications for the county. This page covers how to apply for a Wells County marriage license, what documents to bring, the current fee structure, and how to search existing records through the Indiana Courts free public database.

Wells County Clerk of Circuit Courts

Beth Davis is the Clerk of the Circuit Courts for Wells County. Her office at 102 W Market St in Bluffton processes all marriage license applications for the county. The clerk keeps official records of every license issued in Wells County and can help you find past marriage license records. You can reach the office by phone at (260) 824-6482 or by email at clerk@wellscounty.org.

The county clerk's website at wellscounty.org/clerk/ has current contact details and may have additional information about local requirements. Check there before your visit to Bluffton. Both applicants must appear together at the same time under IC 31-11-4-3. Regular hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays.

The screenshot above shows the Wells County Clerk's page at wellscounty.org/clerk/. Visit that page for the most current information about the marriage license application process in Wells County.

How to Apply for a Wells County Marriage License

Both people getting married must appear at the Wells County Clerk's office in Bluffton at the same time. Indiana requires this joint in-person appearance under IC 31-11-4-3. You cannot apply by mail, send a representative, or complete the process online. Plan a weekday when both of you can make it to 102 W Market St in Bluffton during office hours.

Indiana has no waiting period. Once the Wells County Clerk issues the marriage license, you can use it right away. Under IC 31-11-4-10, the license stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued. Do not apply too far ahead of the wedding. An expired license means you need to reapply and pay again. Wells County charges $29, so plan the timing to avoid that.

The Indiana Courts website offers a pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage. Filling it out before your visit to Bluffton can speed up the process at the clerk's office. Both people still need to appear in person and pay the fee to complete the application.

No blood test is needed. There is no county residency requirement. You can apply in Wells County even if you live in a neighboring county. The license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Indiana.

Note: Wells County's hours extend to 4:30 PM, which gives you a bit more of the day than offices that close at 4:00 PM. Still, try to arrive with at least 30 minutes to spare for the application process.

What to Bring to the Wells County Clerk

Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Indiana accepts driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, and military IDs. A birth certificate with a photo ID also works. Both people must provide their Social Security numbers on the application under IC 31-11-4-1. The physical Social Security card is not required, just the number.

If either person was previously married, that marriage must be over. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The Wells County Clerk will review this document. Under IC 31-11-1-4, both applicants must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 must have a parent or legal guardian present at the application to provide written consent. Indiana does not issue marriage licenses to anyone under 16. Have all documents organized before driving to Bluffton. A missing document means another trip.

Wells County Marriage License Fees

Wells County charges $29.00 for Indiana residents. This reflects the $25 base license fee plus a $4 document fee that Wells County adds. Out-of-state applicants pay $69.00. Fees are non-refundable. Call (260) 824-6482 or email clerk@wellscounty.org before your visit to ask about accepted payment methods. Confirming this ahead of time avoids surprises at the Bluffton courthouse.

Search Wells County Marriage License Records

Indiana Courts provides free public access to marriage license records online at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. Wells County records from 1993 forward are available. Search by name and county to look up a specific record. This tool works well for confirming a license exists or finding basic record information without ordering a certified copy.

Certified copies of Wells County marriage certificates are available through the Indiana State Department of Health. You can also order online through VitalChek. For historical records predating 1993, the Indiana State Library digital archive has older vital records from Wells County and across Indiana.

Indiana Marriage License Laws in Wells County

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed Wells County marriage license to the clerk within 30 days under IC 31-11-11-1. The officiant signs and fills in ceremony details under IC 31-11-4-11. The Wells County Clerk then records the marriage permanently under IC 31-11-4-18. The person who marries you must be legally authorized under IC 31-11-6-1. Ordained ministers, judges, and mayors all qualify in Indiana. If you are uncertain whether your officiant meets the requirement, contact the Wells County Clerk at (260) 824-6482 before the ceremony.

Cities in Wells County

Wells County includes Bluffton and several smaller communities in northeastern Indiana. All marriage license applications are handled at the Clerk of Circuit Courts office in Bluffton.

Communities in Wells County include Bluffton, Ossian, Poneto, and Uniondale. None meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All residents apply at the Wells County Clerk's office at 102 W Market St in Bluffton.

Nearby Counties

These Indiana counties border Wells County. Confirm your address is in Wells County before visiting the Bluffton clerk's office.