Find Perry County Marriage Records
Perry County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Tell City, Indiana, along the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of the state. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license, search for an existing Perry County marriage record, or get a certified copy of a past document, the clerk's office in Tell City and Indiana's statewide database are the two main sources to use.
Perry County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Perry County Clerk's Office
The Perry County Clerk's Office is located at 2219 Payne Street, Tell City, IN 47586. The main phone number is (812) 547-3741. The clerk handles all marriage license applications and maintains the county's official marriage record files. Office hours are Monday through Friday. Call (812) 547-3741 before your visit to confirm current hours, accepted payment methods, and any recent changes to procedures. The courthouse in Tell City is accessible and the clerk's staff can generally assist visitors without a long wait.
Both parties who plan to marry must appear together in person at the clerk's office. Indiana does not have a waiting period, so the license is issued the same day you apply if you have all the required documents. The license is valid for 60 days. If your wedding does not happen within that window, the license expires. You would need to start the process over and pay the fee again. Plan your visit with the 60-day window in mind so the license does not expire before your wedding date.
Perry County residents pay $25 for a marriage license. People who live outside Indiana pay $65. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, and know your Social Security number. If either party was previously married, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A final divorce decree or a certified death certificate are the standard documents accepted for this purpose.
How to Search Perry County Marriage Records
The Indiana Supreme Court provides the Marriage License Public Lookup at no cost. This tool covers all 92 Indiana counties, including Perry County, from 1993 forward. You can search by name, filter by county, or look up by date. No account is needed. Results show both parties' names, the issuing county, and the date the license was issued. It is the fastest way to find a Perry County marriage record from the last three decades.
The Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is the right starting point for any Perry County marriage from 1993 to the present. Once you find a record, you can take the information to the Tell City clerk's office and request a certified copy. The MLPL search result is not a certified document but gives you the details you need to make a formal request.
For Perry County marriages before 1993, the MLPL system will not have what you need. Those older records can be found through the Indiana Archives, the Indiana State Library's genealogy collections, and various historical databases. Some records have been digitized, while others remain in physical form at the courthouse or state archives.
Marriage License Pre-Application for Perry County
Indiana's state courts website offers an online pre-application tool. Filling it out before your visit to the Tell City clerk's office can save time at the counter, particularly if you have complex information to enter or if the office is busy. The pre-application does not issue a license. Both parties still must appear in person, show their IDs, and pay the fee. Think of it as filling out the form in advance so your visit goes faster.
The Online Marriage Application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license covers all Indiana counties, including Perry. After completing the form online, bring your confirmation to 2219 Payne Street in Tell City. The clerk's office will review your information, check your documents, and issue the license after payment.
Indiana's Marriage License Public Lookup covers Perry County records from 1993 to the present. Search at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL for free without creating an account.
Perry County Marriage Records and Indiana Law
Indiana Code IC 31-11 is the core law for marriage in Indiana. It sets out who may marry, what paperwork is needed, and what the clerk and the officiant must do after the ceremony. The officiant signs the license after the wedding and returns it to the Perry County Clerk's Office. Once the clerk receives and files the signed license, it becomes the official marriage record. That document is then part of the permanent public record for Perry County.
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 makes marriage records accessible to the public. Anyone can request a copy of a Perry County marriage record without showing a personal reason. The law applies to records at the county level and to state databases. Most documents are available for public inspection within a short time after being filed with the clerk.
IC 16-37-1-10 covers how Indiana must preserve vital records, including marriages. Perry County follows state rules for maintaining and providing access to these documents. If you have questions about what is available or how to request a specific record, call the clerk at (812) 547-3741. Staff can tell you what is on file and walk you through the request process.
Historical Perry County Marriage Records
Perry County was formed in 1814, and its marriage records span more than 200 years. Older records from the 1800s and early 1900s are held in the Indiana Archives and through the Indiana State Library's genealogy division. For genealogy researchers, Perry County records in the Ohio River region can provide key links in family trees that cross state lines between Indiana and Kentucky.
The Indiana State Library holds historical marriage records for Perry County and other southwestern Indiana counties. Find out what is available at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm.
The Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy may include Perry County marriage entries going back into the 1800s. Because older records were handwritten and may have been indexed with name variations, try searching with alternate spellings and broader date ranges. Local genealogy societies and the Perry County Historical Society may have additional indexes and abstracts of early marriages that can help narrow your search before you request original documents from the Tell City clerk's office.
Certified Copies of Perry County Marriage Records
To get a certified copy of a Perry County marriage record, contact the clerk's office at 2219 Payne Street, Tell City, IN 47586, or call (812) 547-3741. You will need to provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted as legal proof of marriage for name change petitions, estate matters, insurance claims, and similar purposes.
| Service | Office / Source | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license (Indiana resident) | Perry County Clerk, Tell City | $25 |
| Marriage license (out-of-state) | Perry County Clerk, Tell City | $65 |
| Certified copy of marriage record | Perry County Clerk, Tell City | Contact clerk for fee |
| Statewide record of marriage search | Indiana State Department of Health | $8 |
| Online license search (1993+) | public.courts.in.gov/MLPL | Free |
The Indiana State Department of Health offers a statewide marriage search for $8, which is useful when you are not sure which county holds the record or when you need a search certificate rather than a full certified copy. For Perry County records specifically, the clerk's office in Tell City is usually the most direct route.
Cities in Perry County
Tell City is the county seat and largest city in Perry County. No cities in Perry County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents apply for marriage licenses and access marriage records through the clerk's office at 2219 Payne Street in Tell City.