Find Perry County Marriage License Records

Perry County marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk in Tell City. Both applicants must appear together at the courthouse, show valid ID, and pay the required fee. This page explains the steps to apply for a Perry County marriage license, what documents to bring, how much it costs, and how to look up past marriage records.

Perry County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Tell City is responsible for issuing marriage licenses in Perry County. Wayne Napier serves as clerk. The office is on Payne Street and handles all filings related to marriage licenses, from the initial application to recording the completed license after the ceremony. Staff can assist with questions about the process and help you track down older marriage records.

You can reach the clerk's office by phone at (812) 547-3741 or by email at pccc2219@gmail.com. The Perry County Circuit Court Clerk page has additional contact information and may list any updates to office procedures. If you plan to bring specific documents or have questions about prior marriages, calling ahead is always a good idea before making the drive to Tell City.

The screenshot above shows the Perry County Circuit Court Clerk's official website, where you can find current hours and contact details.

Applying for a Marriage License in Perry County

Both applicants must appear together at the Perry County Clerk's office in Tell City. This is required by state law under IC 31-11-4-3. You cannot complete the application by mail, phone, or online. Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued photo ID card. You will also need to provide your Social Security number. The clerk uses this to verify your identity and to complete the license record.

Indiana has no waiting period. You can marry the same day you pick up your license. The license is valid for 60 days after it is issued, per IC 31-11-4-10. No blood test is required. Age requirements under IC 31-11-1-4 set 18 as the minimum age without parental consent. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may apply with a parent or legal guardian present. Anyone under 16 cannot obtain a marriage license in Indiana under any circumstances.

If either applicant was previously married, you must bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased spouse works. A copy of the final order is not enough in some cases, so bring the full certified document.

Note: You can pre-fill your information using the Indiana Courts tool at courts.in.gov/marriage before visiting the Perry County Clerk.

Perry County Marriage License Fees

Perry County charges $18.00 for Indiana residents and $60.00 for couples where one or both applicants live outside the state. These amounts are among the lower fees in Indiana. Pay the fee when you apply. Contact the clerk to confirm which payment methods are accepted before your visit.

If you need certified copies of your marriage record after the ceremony, additional fees apply. Certified copies are often required for changing your name on a Social Security card, driver's license, or passport, and for updating insurance or financial accounts. The clerk's office can tell you the current copy fee when you call or visit.

Perry County Marriage License Lookup

Indiana provides a free public search tool for marriage records. The Marriage License Public Lookup covers records from 1993 to the present. You can search Perry County marriage records by name and see the issue date, the names of both parties, and the county of issue. This is a good place to start if you need to verify a recent marriage or find a license number.

For older records, contact the Perry County Clerk at (812) 547-3741. Staff can search older files manually. The Indiana State Library maintains historical records that may include Perry County marriage data older than what appears in the online system. Visit digital.statelib.lib.in.us to explore the state library's digital archives. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages is another source for vital marriage records. VitalChek is an authorized service for ordering certified copies online if you can't make the trip to Tell City.

After Your Perry County Wedding

Once the ceremony is done, the officiant must return the completed license to the Perry County Clerk within 30 days. This is required by IC 31-11-4-18. The clerk records the marriage and sends the data to the state. Under IC 31-11-6-1, Perry County marriage records become permanent public documents once filed.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony in Indiana? Judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers are among those who qualify under IC 31-11-11-1. The officiant must be authorized to perform marriages under Indiana law. If you're using a friend or family member who is ordained online, confirm their credentials meet Indiana's legal standard before the ceremony. Issues with the officiant can create problems with your marriage record later.

After the record is filed, you can order certified copies from the Perry County Clerk. These copies carry an official seal and are accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and employers as proof of marriage.

Note: The ceremony must be performed in Indiana for the Perry County license to be valid.

Cities in Perry County

Perry County's main city is Tell City, the county seat along the Ohio River. Cannelton and Troy are smaller communities in the county. No cities in Perry County meet the population threshold for individual city pages, but all residents apply for marriage licenses at the Perry County Courthouse in Tell City.

Nearby Counties

Perry County borders these Indiana counties. You can apply for a marriage license at any Indiana county clerk's office, so nearby options may be worth checking if Tell City is not convenient.