Mansfield Marriage License Lookup

Mansfield marriage license applications go through the Richland County Probate Court on Park Avenue East. The fee must be paid in cash, so plan ahead.

Richland County Probate Court

The Richland County Probate Court (Common Pleas Court, Probate Division) is at 50 Park Avenue East, 2nd Floor, Mansfield, OH 44902. Phone: (419) 774-5583. Fax: (419) 774-5565. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Note the early closing time. Applications are accepted during business hours, but both people must arrive together.

The court has an online marriage license application available on the Richland County website. Filling it out ahead of time can speed up your visit, though you still need to come in person to sign under oath.

Below is a screenshot of the Richland County Probate Court marriage license page.

Applications need to be finished before 3:45 p.m. Get there early enough to complete the process.

What to Bring

Both applicants must come together. You each need a current driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need your Social Security card or proof of your Social Security number. If your ID does not show your current county of residence, bring a separate document that proves where you live.

If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the most recent divorce or dissolution decree. Widowed applicants need a certified copy of the death certificate. These requirements come from ORC 3101.05, which lays out exactly what the application must include: names, ages, residences, places of birth, occupations, parents' names, and the expected officiant.

You must be 18 or older. There is no blood test. Ohio dropped its waiting period in 2001.

Fees and Payment

The marriage license fee is $60.00. Cash only. No credit cards, no debit cards, no checks. This is strict. There is no ATM on site, so bring the right amount before you go. This is spelled out clearly on the court's website.

Certified copies of marriage records are available from the Probate Court. The Richland County Public Health office handles birth and death records but not marriage records.

The health department screenshot above shows where to go for birth and death certificates. Marriage records go through the Probate Court only.

If you need a certified copy of a marriage record by mail, send a written request to the Richland County Probate Court at 50 Park Avenue East, 2nd Floor, Mansfield, OH 44902. Include the full names of both parties as they were before the marriage, the date of the ceremony, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow a few weeks for processing. Phone requests can also be started by calling (419) 774-5583 during court hours.

Keep in mind that the Probate Court closes at 3:45 p.m. That is 15 minutes earlier than many other courts in Ohio. If you plan to pick up copies in person, get there with time to spare. The staff can pull records while you wait, but only if you arrive early enough for them to finish before closing.

Marriage Records Access

Marriage records in Ohio are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can ask to see them. The court removes Social Security numbers before sharing records, but all other information is open to the public. You can request records in person during business hours.

The Ohio Department of Health maintains a statewide marriage index from September 1949 to the present. This helps when you do not know which county a marriage was recorded in. But certified copies must come from the Richland County Probate Court for any marriage that took place in the county.

For genealogy research, the Ohio History Connection has a guide to marriage records across Ohio. Richland County was formed in 1808, so historical records may go back over two centuries.

When you request a record, you may get different levels of detail depending on the era. Marriage records before 1899 in Ohio usually do not include parents' names. Later records are more complete, with birthplaces, occupations, and prior marriage info. The Probate Court can tell you what is on file for a given year. If you are not sure which county holds a record, the state index from 1949 onward is a good first step.

Who Performs the Ceremony

Your license is valid anywhere in Ohio for 60 days. Under ORC 3101.08, the following people can officiate: ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county court judges, municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors. Religious societies may also perform ceremonies under their own rules.

The officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Richland County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. A pre-addressed envelope comes with the license. Late filing is a minor misdemeanor with a $50 fine under ORC 3101.14.

Legal Help in Mansfield

Ohio Legal Help has a county directory and self-help resources. The Ohio Supreme Court website provides standardized probate forms. For Mansfield residents who need legal advice on family law or related matters, contacting the local bar association for a referral is a good starting point.

Nearby Ohio Cities

Browse marriage license info for other major Ohio cities.