{"id":21838,"name":"Evansville","state_id":21,"county_id":1148,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:38:12.122-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-16T02:33:59.227-07:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Evansville, India. Find out about ceremony planning, wedding licenses, county registration, events spaces and more.","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Evansville, India","tagline":"Howdy, Hoosier!","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eHey there, Hoosiers! Whether you\u0026rsquo;re getting hitched in Indiana\u0026rsquo;s biggest little city or you have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony for the first time, you\u0026rsquo;ve come to the right place. We are here to walk you through the process of getting married in Vanderburgh County (and how to legally officiate ceremonies!) Plus, we have some extra tips for planning a wedding in Pocket City that you won\u0026rsquo;t want to miss.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. In Indiana, weddings may be performed by any \u0026ldquo;member of the clergy of a religious organization, even if the cleric does not perform religious functions for an individual congregation.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re not the member of any kind of clergy, you can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e with us to become a licensed AMM minister! The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Indiana Government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so officiant registration is not required in Indiana to officiate a wedding. That means, as soon as you\u0026rsquo;re finished signing up with us, you are legally able to perform weddings in the state!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Vanderburgh County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to complete the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain it from the Vanderburgh County clerk\u0026rsquo;s office, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before you perform the ceremony. You are responsible for helping the couple complete it accurately on the day of the wedding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThen, either you or the couple can return the notarized marriage license to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office within 60 days from the date in which the couple initially obtained it from the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to score kudos points for the most awesome wedding officiant, offer to take care of it for the couple so they can relax into the honeymoon phase without having to take another trip to a bureaucratic office. Just make sure you don\u0026rsquo;t forget to do so, or the marriage license will expire and the couple will have to go back and get a new one.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eYou can start your application \u003ca href=\"https://mycourts.in.gov/mlpublic/\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e to save yourself some time in the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office, which you will need to visit with your partner in order to complete your marriage license application.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eValid ID (driver\u0026rsquo;s license, passport or birth certificate)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eCash for the marriage license application fee ($25\u0026nbsp;for in-state residents, $65\u0026nbsp;for out-of-state residents)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you bring all your required documents, you will be issued your marriage license and you can get married on the very same day! You have up to 60 days from the time the marriage license is issued to you to hold your ceremony and return the notarized license to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen choosing your wedding date, just be sure to steer clear of the major annual events in Evansville, like the West Side Fall Festival the first week of October, which about 200,000 people attend every year. You don\u0026rsquo;t want to compete for parking or sit in traffic on your wedding day! Just check on the city\u0026rsquo;s events \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitevansville.com/events\"\u003epage\u003c/a\u003e to make sure there are no highly-attended events scheduled in close proximity to your venue of choice and you\u0026rsquo;ll be golden.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd speaking of venues, we have some recommendations located right in Vanderburgh County to help you get the ball rolling if you haven\u0026rsquo;t settled on a location for your wedding yet.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re not a big fan of churches, but you want to say your vows in a grand indoor setting, the \u003ca href=\"http://oldvanderburghcourthouse.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOlder Vanderburgh County Courthouse\u003c/a\u003e is the perfect place. This historic landmark, built between 1888 and 1890, is a beacon of German Beaux-Arts architecture. You\u0026rsquo;d have to spend all day scouring each side of the building to take in all the detailed sculptures and stone carvings made in its Indiana limestone. You can choose to simply have your ceremony onsite and move your reception to another location -- or, if you like, you can even hold your reception in the building!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to highlight Indiana\u0026rsquo;s natural beauty on your wedding day, the 200-acre old growth forest, \u003ca href=\"https://wesselmanwoods.org/events#rental\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWesselman Woods\u003c/a\u003e, is a great option for an intimate group. The serene property allows private gatherings and the bride and groom can get ready in the privacy of the nature center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOr, if you want to embrace Evansville\u0026rsquo;s German heritage with a huge bieberstube style event, check out \u003ca href=\"https://thebauerhaus.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Bauerhaus\u003c/a\u003e. The gorgeous indoor/outdoor venue can host up to 550 guests and offers full menus, bar service, wedding cakes, transportation, music, lighting and entertainment, simplifying the planning process, so you don\u0026rsquo;t have to stress about it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese options are all located in Vanderburgh County. If you or your partner is an Indiana resident, you are free to use your Vanderburgh-issued marriage license outside of Evansville -- so you should keep exploring your options! But note that if neither you or our partner is an Indiana resident, you must get married in the county that issued you your marriage license.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, your venue choice will be contingent on the season you choose to get married. Indiana has four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers; short, but very cold, cloudy winters; and pleasant springtimes and autumn seasons. Perhaps the best time for a wedding in Indiana is in September or October when the temperatures have cooled down to perfection and the skies are clear.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe region is also known for the occasional tornado, ice storm, blizzard or flood. While it\u0026rsquo;s unlikely one of these weather events will fall on your big day, it\u0026rsquo;s worth it to purchase wedding insurance, which will protect you financially in the event that you have to cancel your plans last minute.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe city\u0026rsquo;s public transportation METS currently operates 22 fixed city routes and two intercity connection routes, but you may find it\u0026rsquo;s a bit limited when it comes to meeting your transportation needs. So, if you\u0026rsquo;re coming in from out of town, Lyft or Uber will be your best friend during your stay. Or rent a car to make getting around easier. Evansville is jokingly referred to as \u0026ldquo;the city of lights\u0026rdquo; by locals because of its overabundance of traffic lights, which slows things down a bit. So factor a bit of extra time in when planning our trips to be safe. However, street parking is plentiful, even downtown, so that\u0026rsquo;s not a concern.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre internet ministers recognized in Indiana?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes! You can register with AMM to legally perform weddings in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long is our marriage license valid?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter it\u0026rsquo;s issued by the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office, you need to hold your ceremony and file the notarized copy within 60 days.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we get married in Indiana if neither of us is an Indiana resident?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, but you are subject to slightly different rules. (See below.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we use our Vanderburgh-issued marriage license to get married elsewhere in the state?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf at least one of the members of the couple is an Indiana state resident, then yes. If both are out-of-state residents, you need to apply for the marriage license in the county where the marriage will be solemnized, i.e. where your actual ceremony will take place.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf one of the applicants is an Indiana resident and the other is an out-of-state resident, how much is the application fee for the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf at least one applicant is an Indiana resident, the fee is $18. If both are out-of-state residents, the fee is $60.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 825 Sycamore St, Evansville\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee: \u003c/strong\u003e$25-$65\u0026nbsp;*\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 60 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e By officiant or couple\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}