Perry County Marriage License Rules
Marriage licenses in Perry County are handled by the Perry County Clerk marriage license office, not by the Circuit Court Clerk. The official clerk rules state that both applicants must apply together. Both must present acceptable identification, and the clerk's FAQ says a driver's license is preferred. Other identity proof may include a government-issued photo ID, original birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card when used as part of the identity proof.
The Perry County Clerk states that there is no waiting period, no blood test, and no physical exam requirement. The license is valid for 30 days including the date it is issued, and it may be used anywhere in Kentucky. Both parties must be 18 or older unless Kentucky under-18 requirements apply. The clerk's FAQ also says a divorce decree is not required for a new marriage license application.
The official marriage page is the source for the local license rules.
Those rules matter because the Perry County Clerk, not a statewide court portal, controls the license application and later certified marriage copies.
Apply for Perry County Marriage Records
The application process is mostly in person. The County Clerk's site does not describe a fully online marriage-license application for Perry County. Applicants should treat the County Clerk counter as the controlling access point, bring identity proof, and be ready to complete the license process before the ceremony date.
- Both applicants appear together at the Perry County Clerk's Office.
- Bring acceptable ID. A driver's license is preferred, but the FAQ lists other identity documents that may help prove identity.
- Pay the marriage license fee listed by the Perry County Clerk.
- Receive a license that is valid for 30 days, including the issue date, and valid anywhere in Kentucky.
- Have the marriage solemnized by an authorized person with at least two witnesses besides the parties and officiant.
- Return the completed license by hand or mail it in the envelope provided by the clerk.
Note: If mailing the completed license back, the Perry County Clerk FAQ says to use two stamps for return mailing.
Perry County Marriage Record Fields
The research did not locate a Perry County online application screen with field labels, so the practical field inventory comes from the clerk's stated requirements. The office needs enough identity and ceremony information to issue the license, record the completed return, and later locate a certified copy.
| Field or item | Required by source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Both applicants present | Yes | The FAQ says both parties must apply together. |
| Acceptable ID | Yes | Driver's license is preferred; other listed documents may support identity. |
| Age eligibility | Yes | Both must be 18 or older unless under-18 legal requirements apply. |
| Marriage date for copies | Needed for copies | Mail requests for copies should include the date of marriage. |
| Full names of both parties | Needed for copies | The clerk asks for both full names for mailed certified-copy requests. |
Perry County Marriage Fees
The Perry County Clerk FAQ gives the marriage license and certified-copy amounts located in the research. The same source distinguishes in-person certified copies from mailed certified copies. No Perry County divorce filing fee was located in the assigned research for this page, so divorce filing amounts should be confirmed with the Circuit Court Clerk before filing or ordering a decree.
| Item | Amount | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license | $50 | Perry County Clerk |
| Certified marriage copy in person | $5 | Perry County Clerk |
| Certified marriage copy by mail | $7 | Perry County Clerk |
| Circuit or District court case copy | $0.25 per page | Circuit Court Clerk |
Search Perry County Marriage Records
Certified marriage-copy access starts with the County Clerk. For a mailed request, the clerk's FAQ says to send written notice to the Perry County Clerk's Office, 481 Main Street, Suite 101, Hazard, KY 41701. Include the full name of both parties and the date of marriage. In-person certified copies are available through the County Clerk's Office during regular office hours.
The County Clerk FAQ is the local source for marriage-copy fees and return details.
The FAQ confirms the copy fees and return process, which are the core facts needed when ordering a Perry County marriage record.
Perry County Marriage Restrictions
Kentucky law limits who may marry and who may solemnize the ceremony. The clerk's marriage page links KRS 402.020 for prohibited marriages. The listed prohibitions include marriages closer than second cousins by blood, marriage with a person who has a living spouse from whom there has been no divorce, common-law marriages, proxy marriages, and marriages not solemnized or contracted before an authorized person or society.
For solemnization, the clerk points to KRS 402.050. Authorized officiants include clergy, judges and justices of the Court of Justice, certain retired judges, county judge/executives, and other listed officials or religious societies. Kentucky requires at least two persons in addition to the parties and officiant to be present.
Find Perry County Divorce Records
Perry County divorce records are not County Clerk marriage-license records. Divorce case files are court records. In Kentucky, Family Court is a division of Circuit Court where established, and dissolution of marriage, support, property division, custody, visitation, paternity, adoption, domestic violence, and related family matters are handled through the court system. For Perry County, official case-copy questions begin with the Perry County Circuit Court Clerk because KCOJ says the clerk of the court that heard the case is the source for case records.
Public case information may be available through KYeCourts public court records guest access. Hearing dates may be checked through the Kentucky Court of Justice docket search by selecting Perry County and the correct division and date. For official divorce decrees, call or visit the Perry County Circuit Court Clerk at the Hall of Justice.
Restricted Perry County Divorce Records
Divorce files may include public docket entries and court orders, but not every family record is open in the same way. Child custody, adoption, juvenile, domestic violence, and protected-address information may be confidential, sealed, or redacted. Online search results should be treated as finding tools, not as certified copies or full case files.
Older divorce files may also be archived. KCOJ states that if a case file has moved to a record facility, the local clerk can identify the facility and provide the case and file locator numbers needed for a State Records Center request. The State Records Center cannot search by name or Social Security number.