Search Canton Marriage License Records
Canton marriage license records are issued and kept by the Stark County Probate Court in downtown Canton. You can apply for a new license, get certified copies, or search past records at that office.
Canton Overview
Stark County Probate Court in Canton
The Stark County Probate Court is at the Stark County Office Building, 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501, Canton, OH 44702. The main phone line is (330) 451-7755. You can also call the records line at (330) 451-7372 or send a fax to (330) 451-7052. General hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Marriage License Department closes at 4:15 PM, so do not cut it too close.
An appointment is required. You have to schedule online before you show up. Both people must come to the courthouse together. There is no way around the in-person rule. ORC 3101.05 says each party must personally appear in the probate court. Walk-ins are not accepted, which is different from some other Ohio counties.
Canton Marriage License Documents
You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport will work. Birth certificates or other proof of age are also required. Your Social Security number goes on the application, but it is removed from any public-facing version of the record under ORC 3101.051.
If you were divorced before, bring a certified copy of your most recent divorce decree. This is not optional. The court will not issue a license without it. If you are widowed, bring a death certificate for your late spouse. You must also name any minor children from previous marriages and give the jurisdiction, date, and case number of each divorce. All of this is required under ORC 3101.05.
The screenshot below shows the Stark County Probate Court website, where Canton residents apply for marriage licenses.
Use this site to schedule your required appointment and check current fees.
Fees for a Canton Marriage License
The fee varies, so check with the court when you schedule your appointment. Most Ohio probate courts charge between $40 and $75 for a marriage license. Stark County falls in that range. Certified copies of a marriage license are $2.00 each. A decorative marriage certificate suitable for framing costs $1.00.
Mail requests for copies are accepted. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order (no cash) to the court. Include the full names of both parties and the date of the marriage. The court does not accept personal checks for walk-in payments at all locations, so call ahead to confirm payment methods.
Marriage License Validity and Rules
A Canton marriage license is good for 60 days. If the wedding does not happen within that time, you need a fresh license. There is no waiting period in Ohio. Once the license is approved, the ceremony can take place right away.
Civil ceremonies are available at the Stark County courthouse. Under ORC 3101.08, probate judges, municipal court judges, county court judges, and mayors can all perform weddings. Ordained ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State are also authorized. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the probate court within 30 days per ORC 3101.13.
Finding Old Marriage Records in Canton
Stark County Probate Court holds marriage records going back to the county's formation. For recent records, you can call the records line at (330) 451-7372. The court can search by name and date.
For records from before September 1949, there is no statewide index. You need to know which county the marriage took place in. The Ohio History Connection has records from some Ohio counties in their archives. The statewide index at the Ohio Department of Health covers 1949 to the present and can help you track down which county has the record you need. Marriage records are public under ORC 149.43, so anyone can ask to see them.
Here is the Stark County Clerk of Courts website, which handles divorce records but not marriage licenses.
If you need a divorce decree to bring to your marriage license appointment, this is where you would get it.
Canton Marriage License Age Requirements
Both people must be at least 18. If one applicant is 17, juvenile court consent is needed under ORC 3101.04, and the other person cannot be more than four years older. A 14-day wait follows the consent order before any license can issue. Counseling is required for the 17-year-old. Under ORC 3101.041 (effective January 2025), the court also checks that the decision is free from force or coercion.
Legal Help in the Canton Area
Ohio Legal Help has a county-by-county guide that includes Stark County probate court details. They offer free info on the marriage license process, name changes, and related family law topics. The Ohio Supreme Court site also has standardized forms for probate matters and a directory of attorneys who practice in the Canton area.
If there is an error on a filed marriage certificate, ORC 3101.15 lets you file a correction application. The court holds a hearing at least seven days later. If the judge finds the facts check out, they order the correction. This can be helpful if a name was misspelled or the wrong date was recorded on the original document.
Nearby Ohio Cities
Browse marriage license info for other major Ohio cities.