In 1890 three Judicial Districts were established in Indian Territory: First District, covering the area of Cherokee and Creek Nations with Muskogee as the court seat; Second District covering the area of the Choctaw Nation with South McAlester as the court seat; Third District covering the area of Seminole and Chickasaw Nations with Ardmore as the court seat. Non-Indians needed to travel to one of these districts to record a marriage.