Perry County Dissolution of Marriage Filings

Perry County dissolution of marriage cases are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Tell City, Indiana, and finalized cases are public record under Indiana's court access rules. If you need to find an existing dissolution case, get copies of a final decree, or start a new filing, the Perry County Clerk's office in Tell City is where to go. You can also look up cases for free using Indiana's online MyCase portal without traveling to the courthouse. Perry County operates on Central Time, so keep that in mind when calling the office from outside the area.

Perry County Circuit Court Clerk

Charlie Baumeister is the Circuit Court Clerk for Perry County. His office at 2219 Payne Street in Tell City maintains the official record of all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. This includes petitions, orders, agreements, and final decrees. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central Time. Perry County follows Central Time, not Eastern, which is important to keep in mind when scheduling a call or visit from nearby counties that use Eastern Time.

The office processes copy requests, certifications, and new filings. If you're coming in person, bring a photo ID and as much case information as you have. Party names and a rough filing year are usually enough to pull a file if you don't have the case number.

The county's website at perrycounty.in.gov has general contact information for county offices. The Indiana Courts directory page at in.gov/courts/local/perry-county links to the case search system and has additional details about the courts in Perry County.

The Indiana Courts local page for Perry County provides links to the case search portal and clerk contact details for dissolution of marriage records in Tell City.

Note: The Central Time zone difference matters. If you are calling from eastern Indiana and it's 4:00 PM your time, the Perry County Clerk's office is still open until 5:00 PM your time.

Search Perry County Dissolution Records

Indiana's free public case search tool, MyCase, is the fastest way to look up a Perry County dissolution of marriage case without visiting Tell City. Access it at public.courts.in.gov. Search by party name or case number. Results show case status, filing date, party names, and any scheduled hearings. No account or registration is needed.

The portal displays the docket, which is the log of everything filed in the case. It does not always let you view or download the actual documents. To get a copy of the final decree, a settlement agreement, or a custody order from a Perry County dissolution case, you'll need to contact the clerk directly. Some documents may be available electronically and some will require a copy request.

MyCase is Indiana's free public portal for searching court cases by county, including Perry County dissolution of marriage filings, with no login required.

For more detailed record access, Doxpop at doxpop.com is a paid subscription service that covers Perry County. Attorneys, title companies, and researchers use it when they need consistent access to Indiana court records across multiple counties. It can surface more document detail than MyCase in some instances.

Note: Cases filed before Indiana's electronic court system was in place may exist only in paper at the courthouse. The clerk can tell you what years are in the digital system for Perry County.

Filing for Dissolution in Perry County

To file in Perry County, one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Perry County for at least three months before filing. Both conditions must be met. If you haven't been in the county long enough, you'll need to wait out the remainder of the three months or look at which prior county of residence might qualify.

Indiana does not require fault. You file on the ground that the marriage is irreversibly broken. The court does not need proof of wrongdoing, infidelity, or any specific event. That makes Indiana a straightforward state for dissolution from a legal grounds standpoint. The paperwork and any contested issues are where things get complicated.

After filing, the court must wait 60 days before entering a final dissolution order. This is a state law requirement. It cannot be shortened. Simple, uncontested cases can sometimes wrap up not long after the 60 days if all paperwork is done and the parties agree on everything. Cases with disputes over property, child custody, or support take longer. The 60 days is just the floor, not the typical timeline.

Indiana Code Title 31 governs family law, including dissolution of marriage. The statutes are available at iga.in.gov. IC 31-15-2-3 covers the residency requirements and filing grounds. IC 31-15-7 covers the rules for property division and related financial matters.

Fees and Record Costs in Perry County

Perry County filing fees are determined by the court and may change from year to year. Call the clerk at (812) 547-3741 to confirm the current fee before you file. Total court costs at filing often run several hundred dollars. That's separate from any attorney or legal aid fees.

Copies of court documents cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a certification fee of $1 to $3 per document. If you need a full certified copy of a dissolution file, the clerk can estimate how many pages are in the record so you know the total cost before you request it.

The court has a fee waiver process if you can't pay. You'll complete a financial disclosure form and the judge will review your request. Ask the clerk for the correct form and instructions on where to file it.

Legal Resources for Perry County Residents

Perry County is a rural county along the Ohio River. Local attorneys who focus on family law are not as numerous here as in larger counties. Most residents seeking legal help for a dissolution case look to attorneys in nearby Dubois County, Spencer County, or Evansville. Look for someone licensed in Indiana with experience in family law and some knowledge of the Perry County Circuit Court.

Indiana Legal Services helps low-income Indiana residents with civil legal issues, including family law and dissolution of marriage. Their coverage includes Perry County. Check eligibility and apply at indianalegalservices.org. Services are income-based and availability varies, so apply early.

If domestic violence is part of your situation, contact the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Their hotline is 800-332-7385. Their website at icadvinc.org links to local advocates and resources by county. Advocates can help with safety planning and navigating the court process in Perry County.

Note: If you're filing without an attorney and the case involves children or disputed property, the court may still expect you to follow local rules for presenting your agreement. Ask the clerk if there's a local rule guide for self-represented parties.

Requesting Perry County Records by Mail

Send a written request to the Perry County Clerk at 2219 Payne St., Tell City, IN 47586. Include both party names, the year the case was filed, and the case number if you have it. State clearly which documents you need and whether you need plain copies or certified ones. Attach a check or money order made out to the Perry County Clerk for the estimated copy cost.

Indiana's public court records request guide at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains the process and what information to include. It also covers your rights as a requester under Indiana's court access rules.

Nearby Indiana Counties

Perry County sits in southwest Indiana along the Ohio River border with Kentucky. The counties that border it each maintain their own court and clerk office for dissolution of marriage cases.