Find Ohio Marriage License Records Online
Ohio marriage license records are on file at the probate court in each of the state's 88 counties. Search by county or use the statewide index the Ohio Department of Health has kept since 1949.
Ohio Marriage License Overview
Where to Get an Ohio Marriage License
Probate courts handle all marriage licenses in Ohio. No city hall or state office can issue one. The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps birth and death records at the state level, but marriage license files stay local. Each of the 88 county probate courts has full control over its own marriage records. They take in the applications, issue the licenses, and store the completed certificates after the wedding. The Bureau of Vital Statistics does keep a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, to the present, which can help you track down which county holds a specific record. You can reach the Bureau at 614-466-2531 or at 4200 Surface Road in Columbus.
The Ohio Department of Health vital statistics page shows what records the state keeps and what stays with the county.
Birth and death records go through the state. Marriage license records stay with the county probate court.
Marriage records in Ohio are public. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, anyone can ask to see them at the probate court during normal business hours. You do not need to be one of the people named on the license. The court must prepare records for inspection at all reasonable times. You can also ask for copies, and the court can charge a fee for making them.
The how to order certificates page on the Ohio Department of Health site explains the process for vital records orders.
While birth and death records can be ordered through the state, marriage license copies must come from the county probate court.
Note: Social Security numbers are removed from Ohio marriage license records before they are made available for public viewing, per Ohio Revised Code Section 3101.051.
Ohio Marriage License Requirements
Both people must show up at the probate court in person. That step cannot be skipped. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3101.05, each person states their name, age, place of birth, and job under oath. You also give your father's name and your mother's maiden name if you know it. The court asks who will perform the ceremony. At least one of you must live in the county where you apply. If both live out of state, you must get married in that county. Ohio dropped its five-day waiting period back in 2001. Now the license works the same day. It stays good for 60 days from the date it is issued, and that rule is printed right on the license per Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3101.
Bring a valid photo ID to the courthouse. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You need your Social Security card or some other proof of that number too. If you were married before, the court needs a file-stamped copy of the divorce decree for every prior marriage, with the case number and date showing. There are some other things you should know about what to bring along.
- Government-issued photo ID for each person
- Social Security card or proof of number
- Certified divorce decree for each past marriage
- Birth certificate or other proof of age
- Name of person who will perform the ceremony
The Ohio Revised Code Section 3101.05 page spells out the full application rules for a marriage license in Ohio.
It covers what goes on the form, the oath, and the rules for people who were married before.
Lying on a marriage license application is a crime in Ohio. Under Section 2921.13 of the Ohio Revised Code, it counts as falsification. For people age 17, juvenile court must file consent at least 14 days before the probate court can issue the license. The other person can not be more than four years older.
Who Can Perform Ohio Marriages
Ohio law is clear about who can officiate a wedding. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3101.08, several types of people are allowed to perform the ceremony. The list is not long, but it covers the most common situations.
- Ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Secretary of State
- Judges of county and municipal courts
- Probate judges in their own county
- Mayors of any Ohio city
- Religious societies following their own church rules
Ministers must get their license through the Ohio Secretary of State. They produce their credentials, and the Secretary of State issues a license to solemnize marriages. That license must be shown to the probate judge on request. The Secretary of State keeps a record of every licensed minister in the state. You can call 1-877-767-6446 to check if someone is authorized. A probate judge who performs a wedding may charge a fee, but under Ohio Revised Code Section 2101.27, the full amount goes to the county treasury.
The Ohio Secretary of State website is where ministers register for their license to perform marriages.
You can verify that your officiant holds a valid license through the Secretary of State's records.
After the wedding, the officiant must file the marriage certificate with the probate court within 30 days. Failure to do so is a minor misdemeanor with a $50 fine. The court gives a return envelope with each marriage license to make this step easy.
Note: No person may attempt to solemnize a marriage in Ohio unless they are legally authorized under Section 3101.09 of the Revised Code.
Searching Ohio Marriage License Records
The probate court in the county where the marriage license was issued is the best place to start a search. Court staff can pull up records by name or date. Most courts have records going back to when the county was first formed. Some counties like Washington County have records from 1789. For records from 1949 and later, the statewide index at the Ohio Department of Health can help narrow things down when you do not know the county. The Ohio Legal Help website has a directory of all 88 county probate courts with addresses, phone numbers, and hours. That can save time when you are trying to figure out which court to call.
The Ohio Legal Help county court directory covers all 88 Ohio counties and links to official probate court pages.
Each listing includes the probate court address, phone number, and office hours for marriage license services.
Some counties have online search tools. Franklin County has a marriage license index you can search from home. Cuyahoga County and Hamilton County also run online systems. Not every county has gone digital, though. For smaller counties, calling or visiting in person may be your only option.
Certified copies are what you need for legal purposes like a name change or passport application. A plain copy just shows the information. A certified copy has the court's seal and signature. Fees for copies vary by county, so call the probate court to check. Some courts take only cash. Others accept cards or money orders.
The Ohio Supreme Court website links to resources about how probate courts work across the state.
You can find standardized forms and local court rules that apply to marriage license records through this site.
Ohio Marriage License Fees
Each county probate court sets its own fee for a marriage license. Most charge around $50. Some are a bit more. Cash works everywhere. Many courts now take debit and credit cards, but not all of them accept personal checks. Call the court before you go to ask what they take. There is no single state fee schedule for marriage licenses in Ohio. The cost of certified copies also varies by county. If you need a copy of an existing marriage license for legal purposes, ask the specific probate court for their current price list.
The Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3101 contains the full set of marriage laws, including provisions for license fees.
This chapter is the main legal reference for marriage license rules in Ohio.
Fee waivers may be available. If you can not afford the cost, ask the probate court about options for financial hardship. Bring proof of income when you ask.
Historical Ohio Marriage License Records
Ohio has marriage records going back to the late 1700s. Washington County, the oldest in the state, has records from 1789. The Ohio History Connection holds marriage records from 38 of the 88 counties, though time periods vary. Before 1899, most records list only the names of the couple and the date of the ceremony. Later records include parents' names, ages, jobs, and places of birth. There is no statewide index for marriages before September 7, 1949. If you are looking for older records and do not know the county, check the U.S. Federal Census to see where the couple was living around the time of the marriage. That can point you to the right probate court.
The Ohio History Connection marriage records guide explains what historical records are available and how to find them.
The guide covers 38 counties and has tips for genealogical researchers seeking older Ohio marriage license records.
The Ohio History Connection Archives catalog is searchable online and shows what marriage record collections are available at the state level. Collections include records from Scioto County going back to 1804, Guernsey County from 1810, and Monroe County from 1866. The Wright State University Libraries in Fairborn hold marriage records from several western Ohio counties, including Auglaize County from 1848 to 1921 and Clark County from 1818 to 1946.
The Ohio History Connection Archives catalog shows the scope of marriage record collections held at the state archives.
Records from dozens of Ohio counties are searchable through this online catalog.
FamilySearch has a free online database called Ohio County Marriages 1789-2013 with millions of indexed records. You need a free account to use it. It does not have every record, but it is a solid starting point for family research.
The Wright State University Libraries genealogy resources page details their Ohio marriage record holdings.
Their collection includes marriage consent records from Mercer County going back to 1829.
Note: County formation dates matter for research. Records from before a county was created may be in the parent county that it was split from.
Ohio Marriage License Help
If you have questions about getting a marriage license in Ohio, a few organizations can help. Ohio Legal Help has a county-by-county directory of probate courts and self-help guides about marriage license rules. The site is free to use and available in several languages. The Ohio Supreme Court website links to probate court forms and local court rules for each county. For legal questions you can not answer on your own, the Ohio State Bar Association can connect you with a family law attorney. They publish a free pamphlet on Ohio marriage law that covers licenses, ceremonies, and name changes.
Browse Ohio Marriage License Records by County
Each of Ohio's 88 counties has its own probate court that handles marriage licenses. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for marriage license records in that area.
Marriage License Records in Major Ohio Cities
Residents of Ohio's larger cities get their marriage license at the probate court in their county. Pick a city below to find out which court handles marriage licenses for that area.