Find Genealogy Records in Perry County

Perry County genealogy records are held at the county health department and the clerk's office in Tell City, Indiana. Birth and death records go back to 1882, and marriage records at the clerk's office date from Perry County's earliest years. Located along the Ohio River in southern Indiana, Perry County has a long settlement history and a genealogy record base that can support multi-generation family research. This guide explains where to look and how to get the records you need.

Perry County Health Department Vital Records

The Perry County Health Department in Tell City holds certified copies of birth and death records for events that occurred in Perry County from 1882 to the present. This is the primary local source for Perry County genealogy involving vital records. Indiana's statewide birth registration did not begin until 1907, and death registration started in 1900. That means the Perry County Health Department holds the only official birth records from 1882 to 1907 and the only death records from 1882 to 1900.

Perry County's Ohio River location drew settlers early in Indiana's history, and the county has one of the longer settlement histories in southern Indiana. Tell City itself was founded in 1857 by a Swiss immigrant colony, giving the area a distinct background that can make Perry County genealogy research especially interesting. Birth and death records from 1882 onward capture families from across this diverse community. The health department in Tell City is the right place to start for vital records covering that period.

Genealogy requests at the county or state level require that the person named on the certificate be deceased and over 75 years old. This is a state requirement that applies uniformly across Indiana. When you visit the Perry County Health Department, bring identification and any proof of the ancestor's death. The Indiana local health department map lists current contact details and can help you confirm the Tell City office's hours and phone number before you travel.

Note: Some smaller county health departments require appointments for genealogy searches. Confirm with the Perry County Health Department before making the trip to Tell City.

Perry County Marriage and Court Records

Marriage records for Perry County are held at the County Clerk's Office in Tell City. The clerk maintains marriage licenses going back to Perry County's founding in 1814. That is a long run of records, and for any marriage before the state marriage index begins in 1958, the county clerk is the only official source. The original marriage documents remain at the county level even for marriages that occurred after 1958.

Court records at the Perry County Clerk's Office can also be useful for genealogy. Probate files, estate inventories, guardianship papers, and civil case filings from the 1800s often contain family information that vital records do not capture. An estate inventory, for example, frequently lists surviving family members, heirs, and property details. These records are publicly accessible under Indiana Code 5-14-3, which governs access to public records in Indiana. Any member of the public can request copies of these older court documents.

The Indiana State Library's county research guides cover Perry County. The guide, available at in.gov/library/collections-and-services/genealogy/indiana-county-research-guides/, lists what records exist in Perry County, where they are held, and what date ranges are available. This is a useful first step before visiting Tell City or contacting any of the county offices.

Indiana Statewide Vital Records and State Resources

The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records Division at 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, holds statewide birth records from 1907 and death records from 1900. Their main phone is (317) 233-2700, and the toll-free line at (866) 601-0891 runs 24/7. Online orders go through VitalChek. Mail orders use Form 49607 for birth certificates and Form 49606 for death certificates. First copies cost $10 for births and $8 for deaths.

The Indiana State Library genealogy division holds more than 40,000 print items including county histories, family genealogies, cemetery transcriptions, and military pension files. The library at 315 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, can be reached at 317-232-3689. Their collection covers southern Indiana counties like Perry County with depth and breadth. They offer one-on-one family history consultations on the second Saturday of each month, which can be useful for Perry County researchers who need help navigating the local record landscape.

The state library's genealogy portal is shown below:

The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division keeps county research guides and a large family history collection that includes Perry County and neighboring southern Indiana counties.

DAR volunteers assist researchers on Wednesday afternoons and second Saturdays at the library, providing additional help for Perry County family history research that benefits from lineage expertise.

Indiana Archives and Extended Sources

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) at 6440 East 30th Street, Indianapolis, (317) 591-5220, may hold older Perry County court records transferred from the county over the years. The State Archives at IARA stores records of permanent historical value, including early naturalization papers and pre-1900 court filings. For Perry County researchers who cannot find a specific record locally, the state archives is a key next step.

The Indiana Archives resources are shown here:

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration holds transferred historical records from Perry County and provides an online catalog for searching at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov before visiting Indianapolis.

Records that were once confidential become publicly accessible 75 years after their creation under IC 5-14-3-4, opening many older Perry County documents to genealogy researchers today.

The Indiana Historical Society at 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, (317) 232-1882, holds photographs, maps, and manuscripts covering Indiana counties including Perry County. The Indiana Genealogical Society maintains county-level resources at indgensoc.org, and the FamilySearch Indiana Genealogy wiki provides free access to digitized records and indexes for Perry County. Some Perry County records have been microfilmed and digitized, which may allow you to find key documents without visiting Tell City.

Remote Ordering and Online Access

If you cannot travel to Tell City, several remote options are available for Perry County vital records. The state toll-free line at (866) 601-0891 takes orders by phone at any hour. Mail orders go to the Indiana Department of Health in Indianapolis. Online orders process through VitalChek with credit card payment and direct mail delivery of certified copies.

The VitalChek portal for Perry County records is shown here:

The VitalChek portal provides online ordering of certified Indiana vital records, including Perry County birth and death records. Credit card payment is accepted.

VitalChek adds a processing fee on top of state costs, but is a practical option for Perry County researchers who cannot travel to Tell City or Indianapolis.

Cities in Perry County

Perry County's communities, including Tell City, Cannelton, and Troy, all file genealogy and vital records at the county health department and clerk's office in Tell City. No city in Perry County meets the 25,000 population threshold for a separate city page. All Perry County records are handled at the county level.

All Perry County city records are filed at the county offices in Tell City.

Nearby Counties

Perry County is in southern Indiana along the Ohio River. Ancestors near county lines may have filed records in neighboring counties. Check these nearby county pages for more genealogy resources.