Ripley County Marriage License Records

Ripley County marriage licenses are issued at the County Clerk's office in Versailles. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid ID, and pay the license fee at the time of application. This page covers how to get a Ripley County marriage license, what documents you need, current fees, and how to search existing marriage records in the county.

Ripley County Clerk Office

The Ripley County Clerk's office in Versailles handles all marriage license applications for the county. The office is at 115 North Main Street and is open Monday through Friday. Staff can help you apply for a new license, search for existing records, or get a certified copy of a filed marriage license. The clerk keeps Ripley County marriage records going back many years, including both recent and older files.

The Ripley County Clerk's marriage license page at ripleycounty.in.gov/clerk/marriage-licenses has current information on the application process and requirements. Check this page before your visit to make sure you have the right documents. If you have questions, call the office at (812) 689-6115. The fax is (812) 689-6000. Calling ahead is especially helpful if either applicant has been previously married and you're not sure what documents to bring.

The screenshot above is from the Ripley County Clerk's marriage license page, which lists local requirements and contact information for the Versailles courthouse.

Applying for a Ripley County Marriage License

Both people must appear at the Ripley County Courthouse in Versailles at the same time. You cannot apply separately or remotely. Under IC 31-11-4-3, both parties must appear in person before the clerk. Bring valid photo ID from the government: a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID all meet the requirement. Each person must also provide their Social Security number. This information is required to complete the license and file it properly.

Indiana does not have a waiting period. You can pick up the Ripley County marriage license and use it the same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date under IC 31-11-4-10. After 60 days, the license expires and you need to apply again. No blood test is required. Age minimum is 18 without consent, per IC 31-11-1-4. If either applicant is 16 or 17, a parent or legal guardian must come along to the clerk's office.

Previously married applicants must bring documentation. A certified copy of the divorce decree proves the prior marriage ended. If a prior spouse has died, bring the death certificate. Regular photocopies are usually not accepted. Bring the certified versions to avoid delays at the Versailles courthouse.

The Indiana Courts pre-application at courts.in.gov/marriage lets you fill in your personal information online before your visit. This step is optional but can speed up the process when you arrive at the Ripley County Clerk's office.

Note: The license can be used in any Indiana county but cannot be used for a ceremony performed outside the state.

Ripley County Marriage License Fee

Indiana residents pay $25.00 for a Ripley County marriage license. Out-of-state applicants pay $65.00. Pay the fee when you apply at the clerk's office in Versailles. Call ahead to confirm accepted forms of payment. Some county offices don't take debit or credit cards, so bringing cash or a check is safer.

After the marriage is recorded, certified copies of the Ripley County marriage record are available from the clerk. Certified copies are often required for name changes on a Social Security card, driver's license, or passport, and for updating financial accounts. Contact the clerk at (812) 689-6115 to find out the current copy fee.

Note: Fees can change, so confirm the current rate before your visit to the Ripley County Courthouse.

Search Ripley County Marriage Records

Indiana's free public marriage license search at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers all Indiana counties including Ripley. Records go back to 1993. Search by name to find the issue date, the names of both parties, and the county. This is the simplest way to verify a recent Ripley County marriage license from home.

For records before 1993, contact the Ripley County Clerk at (812) 689-6115. Older records are stored at the courthouse and require a manual search. The Indiana State Library at digital.statelib.lib.in.us has digitized historical records that may include older Ripley County marriage data. The Indiana State Department of Health at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages also maintains vital marriage records. You can order certified copies through VitalChek if you can't travel to Versailles in person.

Recording a Ripley County Marriage

After the wedding, the officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Ripley County Clerk within 30 days. This requirement comes from IC 31-11-4-18. The clerk records the marriage and sends the data to the state. Under IC 31-11-6-1, Ripley County marriage records become permanent public documents once the clerk files them. Anyone may view or request a copy.

Officiants must be legally authorized to perform marriages in Indiana under IC 31-11-11-1. If your officiant's qualifications are unclear, verify before the ceremony date. Using an unauthorized officiant can make the marriage legally invalid. Under IC 31-11-4-11, the officiant must give each couple a marriage certificate at the ceremony. Keep that copy safe while the license is being processed and recorded by the Ripley County Clerk.

Cities in Ripley County

Versailles is the county seat of Ripley County. Batesville, Osgood, and Sunman are other communities in the area. No Ripley County cities meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site, but all county residents apply for marriage licenses at the Ripley County Courthouse in Versailles.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ripley County in southeastern Indiana. Any Indiana county clerk can issue a marriage license, so a neighboring county office may be more convenient depending on where you live.