Find Family Court Records in Perry County
Perry County family court records are maintained by the Perry County Clerk at the courthouse in Tell City, Indiana. The clerk's office handles all filings for dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders. Indiana courts make many of these records searchable online, and the clerk can assist you in person during regular business hours.
Perry County Quick Facts
Perry County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Perry County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Every case filed in circuit or superior court goes through this office, including dissolution of marriage, custody disputes, parenting time changes, child support petitions, paternity actions, and protection orders. The clerk's staff assigns case numbers, processes court costs, and keeps both paper and electronic records that form Perry County's public family court record.
If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or any other family court order, the clerk's office is where you start. Copies cost $1 per page, and certification adds $3 per document. Staff can search records by party name or case number. Bring a valid ID when you visit. The clerk cannot give legal advice, but they can direct you to forms and explain basic filing requirements.
Perry County uses Indiana's circuit court structure for family law. Dissolution cases fall under IC 31-15, and matters involving child custody and parenting time are handled under IC 31-17. All original filings and court orders are on file at the Perry County Courthouse. Note that the courthouse address listed in older records may show Cannelton, the former seat. The current courthouse is in Tell City at 2219 Payne St.
| Clerk's Office | Perry County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Perry County Courthouse 2219 Payne St Tell City, IN 47586 |
| Phone | 812-547-3741 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Copy Fees | $1 per page; $3 certification per document |
| Payment | Cash, money order, or cashier's check |
Note: Final decrees and court orders are not available for download online. Contact the Perry County Clerk directly to request certified copies of any final family court documents.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal links Perry County residents to statewide case search tools and record request guidance.
The portal connects users to MyCase and explains how to request documents not available electronically.
Searching Family Court Records in Perry County
Indiana's free public case lookup tool, MyCase, includes Perry County records. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows filing dates, case type, hearing schedules, and current case status. No account is needed. MyCase runs around the clock, so you can check at any time from home or a library computer.
Perry County does not have its own dedicated court records website. Use the Indiana Courts Public Records Portal as the primary access point. That portal links to MyCase and provides instructions for requesting records not available electronically. Some documents are simply not online. Sealed filings, exhibits, and older paper records may only be accessible at the courthouse in Tell City. The How to Request Records page explains the formal request process in plain language.
For in-person access, visit the Perry County Courthouse during business hours. The clerk's office can pull files by name or case number. If you know roughly when the case was filed, mention that when you call or visit. It narrows the search. For records predating electronic case management, the clerk may need extra time to retrieve paper files. Call 812-547-3741 before you come so staff can have the file ready.
The Trial Courts Directory maintained by Indiana Courts lists contact details for all county courts statewide. You can use that directory to confirm hours, addresses, and which court division handles specific family law matters in Perry County.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau assists Perry County families with support orders and enforcement.
Services include establishing paternity, setting support amounts, and enforcing existing orders.
Child Support in Perry County
Child support in Perry County follows the Income Shares Model established under IC 31-16. The court uses both parents' incomes to calculate a support amount. The goal is to give the child a standard of living that reflects what they would have had if the household had stayed together. Support orders are part of the public family court record and are on file with the Perry County Clerk.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to families who need help establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order. These services are open to any Indiana family, not just those receiving public assistance. The Child Support Bureau can help locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity, and work with the court to enter or change support amounts. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax intercepts, and license suspension.
For quick questions about a support case, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. The automated system is available 24 hours a day. Live staff work Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can check payment history, get case status updates, and ask about upcoming hearings through this line.
Paternity cases in Perry County are filed under IC 31-14. The court must establish paternity before it can issue child support or custody orders for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Tell City handles paternity filings the same as other family court cases.
Note: The Child Support Bureau manages financial support only. Questions about custody, parenting time, and property division require a separate court proceeding or private attorney.
Legal Help in Perry County
If you need legal help and cannot afford an attorney, Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents throughout Indiana. They handle dissolution, custody, and protection order matters. Apply online or call to find out which office serves Perry County and whether you qualify.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers forms, step-by-step guides, and plain-language instructions for common family court filings. You can get forms for dissolution, custody modifications, and child support petitions without hiring a lawyer. The center does not give advice, but the materials walk you through the process clearly enough for most people to manage on their own.
The Parenting Time Helpline gives free guidance from licensed Indiana attorneys on parenting time questions. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Attorneys can answer questions about visitation schedules, parenting plans, and disputes over parenting time.
The Indiana State Bar Association runs a referral service for those who need a private attorney. If your case involves contested custody, significant assets, or other complex matters, a private family law attorney can advocate for you throughout the process. The bar can connect you with lawyers who practice in the Perry County region.
Cities in Perry County
Perry County is located in southwestern Indiana along the Ohio River. Tell City serves as the county seat, and smaller communities like Cannelton and Troy are also in the county. None of the communities in Perry County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all residents have access to full family court services at the courthouse in Tell City.
Nearby Counties
Perry County is bordered by several counties in southwestern Indiana. Your county of residence at the time of filing is typically the correct jurisdiction for most family court matters.