No matter all the hard work you’ve put into planning your special day, it won’t mean much if you forget to obtain the marriage license!

 

Age Requirements

Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental consent.  Additionally, applicants age 16 must have a court order.

 

Blood Test

Marion County does not require the prospective bride or groom to provide a blood test at the time of application.

 

Fees

At the time of initial application, the fee is $18 if at least one applicant is a resident of Marion County.  If neither applicant is a Marion County resident, the fee is $60 at the time of initial application. CASH ONLY. No personal checks or money orders will be accepted at the time of application.

 

Identification

Applicants under the age of 18 must have an original certified copy of their birth certificate.  Applicants ages 18 or older must show one of the following forms of identification at the time of application:

ü a valid driver’s license;

ü current state-issued identification card;

ü original certified birth certificate;

ü baptismal certificate with date of birth;

ü military identification;

ü passport;

ü life insurance policy with date of birth;

ü school identification card; or

ü transcripts of school records indicating date of birth.

 

Previous Marriage

If either applicant has been married previously, the license application requires information on the month, year and manner (e.g., divorce, death, annulment) in which the marriage ended.  If either applicant has been divorced for less than 60 days, a copy of the divorce decree must be provided.

 

Waiting Period

Marriage licenses can be issued on the same day of application.  There is no legal waiting period to obtain a marriage license and no witnesses are required.  Both applicants must appear at the Clerk’s Office in person to complete the application; however, they may come at different times.  If necessary requirements are not met on the same day, the application may be held for no longer than sixty (60) days, after which time, it will be voided.  Once issued, a marriage license is valid for sixty (60) days during which time the marriage must be performed.

 

Where to Apply

Indiana residents must obtain a license in the county in which at least one of them resides.  Proof of residency is required in one of the following forms:

ü current driver’s license;

ü state identification card;

ü a rental lease; or

ü current utility bill.

 

Out of state residents must obtain a marriage license in the county in which the marriage will be performed.  Both applicants must apply for their license in person.

 

If both applicants live in another Indiana county and plan to marry in Marion County, they must apply for the license in their home county. For example, if the couple lives in Boone County and have planned a wedding in downtown Indianapolis, they must apply for their license in Boone County NOT Marion County.

 

Hoosier couples deciding to marry out of state or in another country should research the marriage laws of that jurisdiction as an Indiana marriage license is not transferable to another state or country.

 

Marion County Clerk
Marriage License Division
200 E. Washington Street
Suite W-122
Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 327-4720

Hours: 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday

 

Other Central Indiana County Clerk’s Offices: 

Boone County 765-482-3510
Hamilton County 317-776-9629
Hancock County 317-477-1109
Hendricks County 317-745-9351
Johnson County 317-736-3708
Madison County 765-641-9443
Morgan County 765-342-1025
Shelby County 317-392-6320

 

Who Can Perform a Ceremony

Once the marriage licenses are obtained, it is necessary to make arrangements to have the ceremony performed. Below is the Indiana Code that shows the persons authorized to solemnize a marriage.

Burns Indiana Statute 31-11-6-1

1. A member of the clergy of a religious organization (even if the cleric does not perform religious functions for an individual congregation), such as a minister of the gospel, a priest, a bishop, an archbishop, or a rabbi.
2. A judge.
3. A mayor, within the mayor’s county.
4. A clerk or a clerk-treasurer of a city or town, within a county in which the city or town is located. A clerk of the circuit court.
5. The Friends Church, in accordance with the rules of the Friends Church.
6. The German Baptists, in accordance with the rules of their society.
7. The Bahai faith, in accordance with the rules of the Bahai faith.
8. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in accordance with the rules of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
9. An imam of a masjid (mosque), in accordance with the rules of the religion of Islam.

Marion County has nine Township Small Claims Courts whose judges can perform a ceremony. Please contact them directly for details. They are listed in the Government/City-County Offices section of the white pages under Small Claims Courts.

The Groom often gets overlooked in the wedding planning process.  Here are some ways to help keep him in the loop:

1.   Keep things simple for him
2.   Groom wears something different than the other men in wedding (i.e. tux or boutonniere)
3.   Include him in things he would be interested in (i.e. music)
4.   Let him give suggestions and incorporate those ideas
5.   Suggest having a couples shower so the Groom and his friends can be included
6.   Incorporate one of his favorite activities into the reception (i.e. favors, groom’s cake)
7.   Have snacks and drinks for him and the Groomsmen before the ceremony
8.   Have a special song for Groom at the reception (i.e. school fight song)
9.   Direct questions to both the Bride and Groom – ask questions specifically of him when profiling
10.   Give the Groom a “Groom Survival Kit,” include items like a book of what the Groom should know

Here are some questions to think about asking when hiring a wedding coordinator:

• What packages/services do you offer?
• How much do you charge?
• Do you have references?
• How can you save us money by using your services?
• Do you have any equipment/accessories/etc. that would be available for our use?
• Why should I use you as my wedding planner over others?
• How long have you been in the business and how/why did you begin?
• Are you familiar with different cultural/religion/race traditions of a wedding?
• What staff do you have and will they be at our wedding?
• What is your schedule like for meeting with vendors and us?
• What kind of weddings and events have you had experience planning?
• May I have a copy of your contract before making my decision?
• How can you ensure my wedding day will be perfect?
• How far are you willing to travel if necessary?
• What schooling do you have? 

1.   Bed, Bath, and Beyond
2.   Kohls
3.   Target
4.   Macy’s
5.   Lowe’s
6.   Menards
7.   Home Depot
8.   Williams Sonoma
9.   Sears
10.   Pier 1
11.   Pottery Barn
12.   Crate and Barrel
13.   Von Maur
14.   Walmart
15.   Honeymoon Fund

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Serendipity at Metropolis
2499 Futura Pkwy ste 205 Plainfield, IN
$10.00
Sponsored by: The Perfect Wedding Guide
317.228.9333
indy@pwg.com

 

Sunday, September 19, 2010
Scottish Rite Cathedral
650 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
$10.00
Sponsored by: The Perfect Wedding Guide
317.228.9333
indy@pwg.com

 

Sunday, October 24, 2010
Jonathan Byrd’s
100 Byrd Way Greenwood, IN 46143
$10.00
Sponsored by: The Perfect Wedding Guide
317.228.9333
indy@pwg.com

By Sasha Souza
The Whole Shebang!
Professional Wedding Coordination

As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often confused as to how much to spend, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors. These worries often mount as quickly as the cost of the wedding. After the euphoria wears off and the reality settles in, it’s shocking to discover of how much preparation is involved. Couples are faced with decisions about everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help.

Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer “trendy” to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.

The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today’s hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.

Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.

A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.

How do you know you’re hiring the right coordinator? Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. Your personalities should match. It’s important to find out how long the coordinator has been in business. Be careful of coordinators who are not members of any professional organization. These organizations have a code of ethics that the consultant must follow in order to be a member, some also require some sort of continuing education each year to stay a member.

“Casino Night” was a huge success for Williams Comfort Air’s Holiday Party. Below are some photos we did from this recent event.

We are very excited to announce the launch of our new website…

This site is a showcase for my work.  I wanted people to be able to see the beautiful events that we do at Simply Perfect Events.
Kelley Aronson, Owner

We hope that you find the website informational and decide to give us a call to help you with your next event!