Find Columbus Marriage License Records

Columbus marriage license records are handled by the Franklin County Probate Court on South High Street downtown. The court's Marriage Department on the 23rd floor has dedicated staff to help couples with applications and certified copies.

Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus

The Franklin County Probate Court Marriage Department is at 373 South High Street, 23rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. The phone number is (614) 525-3108 and the email is marriage@franklincountyohio.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. However, the last license of the day is issued at 4:00 PM. Both people must be in the building by 4:00 PM or the court will not process the application.

You must complete an online application before you come in. The online form is good for 30 days. If you do not pick up the license within that window, the application expires and you have to fill it out again. This is a firm rule at Franklin County, unlike some other courts that allow walk-in applications.

Columbus Marriage License Fees

The fee is $65.00. You can pay with cash or a credit/debit card. If you use a card, there is a 3% service charge on top of the base fee. So the total comes to about $66.95 with a card.

Certified Marriage Abstracts are $2.00 per copy. This green paper is what you use for name changes at the BMV, Social Security, and banks. The court suggests getting at least five copies when you pick up your license. You can also order them later in person, online, or by mail. The court has online records going back to January 3, 1995. Historical records from 1803 are available at the courthouse but not online.

What Columbus Applicants Need to Bring

Valid photo ID for both people is required. A driver's license or passport works. Social Security numbers go on the application but are removed from the public version of the record per ORC 3101.051. Each person states under oath their name, age, residence, birthplace, occupation, and the names of both parents as required by ORC 3101.05.

If you were married before, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree. You also need to give the jurisdiction, date, and case number. Widowed applicants bring a death certificate. Minor children from past marriages must be listed on the application. Applicants must be 18 or older. For 17-year-olds, juvenile court must file consent under ORC 3101.04, and there is a 14-day wait after the court's order.

Civil Weddings in Columbus

The Franklin County Probate Court does not perform civil ceremonies. That is a detail many people miss. Instead, civil weddings in Columbus go through the Franklin County Municipal Court at 375 South High Street, 10th Floor. Call (614) 645-8214 to schedule. An appointment is required, and there is a separate fee for the ceremony.

Under ORC 3101.08, judges of municipal and county courts, probate judges, mayors, and ordained ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State can all perform marriages. To check if a minister is registered, call (877) 767-6446 or use the Secretary of State's online search tool.

Columbus Marriage Record Searches

Franklin County Probate Court has an online Marriage License Index Search. You can look up records by name and check whether a license was issued and returned. Online records go back to 1995. For anything older, you need to contact the court directly or visit in person.

Historical marriage records from 1803 are at the courthouse. The Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide index of all counties from September 1949 forward. If you are not sure which county holds a record, that index is a good place to start. All marriage records in Ohio are public under ORC 149.43. Social Security numbers are stripped before release.

Legal Help for Columbus Residents

Ohio Legal Help has a free county court directory and self-help guides for marriage licenses, name changes, and family law. The Ohio Supreme Court website has probate forms and attorney finder tools. If you need to correct an error on a marriage certificate, ORC 3101.15 allows you to file a correction application with the court. A hearing is set at least seven days later.

After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to file the signed certificate with the probate court under ORC 3101.13. Late filing carries a $50 fine per ORC 3101.14. The certificate is numbered and recorded in the order the court receives it. To get your correction fee or an additional copy fee right, call (614) 525-3108 before your visit. A minor error correction is $5.00. Amending the application for additional previous marriages costs $35.00 and needs a notary.

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