Ripley County Marriage Records
Ripley County marriage records are issued by the County Clerk's office in Versailles, where Clerk Liz Baumgartner manages all marriage license applications under Indiana Code 31-11. Ripley County sits in southeastern Indiana, bordered by the Ohio River region and some of the state's most rural countryside. At least one applicant must live in Ripley County to apply here, and both must appear together in person to finalize the license. This page covers the application process, fees, how to get certified copies, and how to search Ripley County marriage records through Indiana state databases and archives.
Ripley County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Ripley County Clerk's Office
The Ripley County Clerk's Office is in the courthouse in Versailles, Indiana. Clerk Liz Baumgartner and her staff handle marriage license applications along with other clerk functions. The office follows a Monday through Friday schedule during standard business hours. Both applicants must appear together. Indiana law does not allow one person to complete the process alone for a couple. Plan to come in together and budget some time for the paperwork and payment.
Versailles is a small town, and the courthouse is the main landmark in the county seat. If you have not been before, the clerk's office is inside the courthouse. It is worth calling ahead to confirm the current office hours and to ask whether they have any specific requirements for your situation, especially if either person has been previously married. Staff are generally helpful and can answer questions over the phone before your visit.
| Office | Ripley County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Location | Ripley County Courthouse, Versailles, IN |
| Clerk | Liz Baumgartner |
| Hours | Monday-Friday |
| Fee (Resident) | $25 |
| Fee (Out-of-State) | $65 |
Applying for a Marriage License in Ripley County
Indiana's online marriage license application at in.gov/courts/services/marriage-license lets couples complete the initial form before coming to the courthouse. Starting online is voluntary but saves time at the counter. You still need to appear in person with your partner to finalize the license and pay. The portal does not issue the license remotely.
Both applicants need a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card are all acceptable. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate showing the prior marriage ended. This is a standard requirement under IC 31-11, and the clerk's office may not be able to verify it from a database, so bring a physical copy.
Indiana has no blood test requirement and no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without parental involvement.
Fees for Ripley County Marriage Licenses
Ripley County charges $25 for Indiana resident couples and $65 when neither applicant resides in Indiana. The resident rate applies if at least one person lives in Indiana. Indiana Code 31-11 governs the fee structure. The fee is paid at the clerk's office in Versailles when you come in to finalize the application. Call ahead to confirm payment methods, as smaller offices sometimes have limits on which forms of payment they accept.
After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the Ripley County Clerk's office to be officially recorded. The officiant typically handles the return, but the couple bears responsibility for making sure it gets back to the clerk. Once the license is recorded, you can request certified copies. These are used for name changes, insurance claims, pension benefits, and other legal needs. Contact the clerk's office for current copy fees.
Search Ripley County Marriage Records Online
The screenshot below shows Indiana's Marriage License Public Lookup tool, the primary state resource for searching Ripley County marriage records by name.
The lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL is maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court and is free to use. No account is needed. Search by the names of either party and filter to Ripley County. The tool covers records that have been entered into the state system after the clerk's office processes them. Recent licenses may take a short time to appear.
For Ripley County marriage records predating the online system, the Indiana Legacy Database at digital.statelib.lib.in.us/legacy is a key resource. The Indiana State Library has collected and digitized historical county marriage records going back to the early 1800s. Ripley County was organized in 1816, so the earliest marriage records span nearly two centuries. Some of those records have been indexed and made searchable online. Others require a direct request to the library or the county clerk.
Public Access to Ripley County Marriage Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, makes marriage records generally open to the public. Anyone can request a Ripley County marriage record from the clerk's office without needing to be listed on it or explain why they want it. Plain copies are lower cost. Certified copies carry an official seal and are used for legal purposes. Call the clerk's office to get current copy pricing before making a mail request.
The screenshot below is from the Indiana State Library's genealogy resources page, which includes finding aids and digitized materials relevant to Ripley County historical marriage records.
The State Library's genealogy staff can help identify which collections and microfilm holdings cover Ripley County. A visit to the library in Indianapolis, or a call to their reference desk, is often the best way to track down a specific historical record.
Under IC 16-37-1-10, the Indiana State Department of Health also maintains vital records. The ISDH at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages explains what the state holds versus what remains at the county level. For Ripley County marriage records, the county clerk is the main source. The Indiana Archives at in.gov/iara holds older records and may have materials for Ripley County that have been transferred over time.
Other Research Options
If the state portal does not show the record you need, contact the Ripley County Clerk directly. In-person requests during business hours are the most direct option. Mail requests work too if you cannot make the drive to Versailles. Send the names of both parties, the approximate marriage year, your contact information, and payment for the copy fee. FamilySearch holds free indexes of many Indiana county marriage records, including some Ripley County entries, and those indexes can help you confirm a record exists before you request a copy.
Cities in Ripley County
Ripley County's county seat is Versailles, which is the main community and location of the clerk's office. No cities in Ripley County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. All marriage license applications for county residents are processed at the Ripley County Courthouse in Versailles.