Marriage records in St. Joseph County, Indiana, are available through several channels. StJosephCourt.us allows you to start an online search for public marriage records. Additionally, copies of documents can be obtained directly from the county clerk's office, which issues and stores marriage licenses, as well as by sending a request by mail. For historical records, the county archive is a useful resource.
St. Joseph Marriage Records Search
In Indiana, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and storing marriage records. In St. Joseph County, this function is performed by the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office. The collection includes marriage licenses, returned marriage certificates, and related court documents.
The clerk maintains records from the time the county was established. Older documents — especially those dating back to the 19th century — may be located in the St. Joseph County Archives and Records Center, which assists researchers with genealogical inquiries. For online court case searches, including some marriage records, the MyCase system — the Indiana court system portal — is available.
Contact the clerk's office to verify the availability of a specific record:
The Marriage & Divorce Information page on the county's official website provides answers to the most common questions about the process of obtaining a marriage license and copies of documents.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in St. Joseph
The fees for copies of marriage records in St. Joseph County are determined by Indiana state law and the internal policy of the clerk's office. It is recommended to verify the current rates directly with the clerk's office by calling 574-235-9635 before placing an order.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage license | Check with the clerk's office |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | Check with the clerk's office |
| Search fee | Check with the clerk's office |
The clerk's office accepts payment in person. For mail requests, a money order or cashier's check payable to the St. Joseph County Clerk is usually required. Processing times for mail requests may take several weeks depending on the office's workload.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in St. Joseph
There are several ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at:
Bring a valid photo ID. Certified copies are usually issued on the same day.
By Mail
Send a request to the clerk's office address. Include in the envelope:
- A written request specifying the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage.
- A copy of your photo ID.
- A money order or cashier's check for the appropriate amount.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
Online
The St. Joseph County Clerk's Office may offer online ordering of official records — check the website for current information. Additionally, the Indiana court system public records portal provides general guidance on obtaining court documents. If you need help with your search, StJosephCourt.us can be a useful starting point for navigating available public records in the county.
Residents of St. Joseph County planning to marry outside the state of Indiana should independently determine the marriage license requirements in the respective state — the clerk's office reminds of this on its website.