Strongsville Marriage License
Strongsville marriage license records are handled by the Cuyahoga County Probate Court in Cleveland. Residents must go to the downtown courthouse, and the court offers online pre-registration to speed things up.
Strongsville Overview
Where to Get a Marriage License
The Cuyahoga County Probate Court is at 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Room 146, Cleveland, OH 44113. The Marriage License Department phone is (216) 443-8920. General phone: (216) 443-8895. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
From Strongsville, the drive to downtown Cleveland takes about 25 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and the route. There is no satellite office for marriage licenses in Strongsville or anywhere else in the county. Everything goes through the Cleveland location.
Cuyahoga County offers online pre-registration for marriage licenses. You can fill in your information before going to the courthouse. This helps cut down on time at the counter, but both people still need to appear in person.
Below is a screenshot of the Strongsville municipal website.
The Strongsville Municipal Court deals with local civil and criminal matters but does not handle marriage licenses. That is exclusively a Probate Court function.
Requirements to Apply
Both people must come to the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You will provide your Social Security number, which stays off public records under ORC 3101.051.
The application requires your name, age, residence, birthplace, occupation, parents' names, and who will perform the ceremony. ORC 3101.05 lists all the required details. If you were married before, you need a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree, along with names from each prior marriage and information about minor children.
Both applicants must be 18 or older. There is no blood test. Ohio has not had a waiting period since 2001. The license is valid right away and good for 60 days.
Fees and Records
The fee is approximately $50. Call (216) 443-8920 for the exact amount. Certified copies of marriage records cost $2.00 each. Cuyahoga County has marriage records from 1810, and the online docket search at cpdocket.cp.cuyahoga.us lets you look them up by name, case number, or date.
Marriage records are public under ORC 149.43. The court removes Social Security numbers before sharing records. Anyone can request access during business hours. The court must provide copies at cost within a reasonable time.
Note: Use the online docket search to verify a license was issued and returned before ordering a certified copy. This can save you a trip.
Statewide Records Resources
The Ohio Department of Health has a statewide marriage index from September 1949 to the present. It covers all 88 Ohio counties. This is useful when you need to find which county a marriage was recorded in. Certified copies still come from the county Probate Court.
The Ohio History Connection has resources for older records. Their archives hold collections from 38 of Ohio's 88 counties. Time periods vary by county. For Cuyahoga County, the Probate Court's own records stretch back to 1810, providing over two centuries of coverage.
To get a certified copy by mail, send a written request to the Cuyahoga County Probate Court at 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Room 146, Cleveland, OH 44113. Include both names as they appeared before the marriage, the date of the ceremony, and $2.00 per copy. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds things up. Most mail requests are handled within a few weeks.
For Strongsville residents who want to verify a record before ordering a copy, the online probate docket search is a good first step. It is free and shows whether a license was issued, the names on file, and whether the certificate was returned after the ceremony. This can save you a trip downtown if you just need to confirm basic facts.
Officiants and Filing
Under ORC 3101.08, your wedding can be performed by ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges under ORC 2101.27, or mayors of any Ohio municipality. Religious societies can also officiate under their own rules. Verify your minister's registration by calling 1-877-767-6446.
The officiant must file the signed certificate with the Cuyahoga County Probate Court within 30 days. A return envelope is provided with the license. Late filing carries a $50 fine under ORC 3101.14. The license itself has a printed notice about this deadline. Once the certificate is filed and docketed, certified copies can be ordered.
Strongsville residents can hold the ceremony anywhere in Ohio with their Cuyahoga County license, as long as at least one person lives in the state. Out-of-state couples who get a license in Cuyahoga County must hold the wedding within the county.
If a mistake appears on the marriage certificate after it has been filed, ORC 3101.15 allows a correction application. You need an affidavit from someone with direct knowledge of the correct information. The court reviews it and can issue a correction order. Contact the Cuyahoga County Probate Court for details on how to start this process.
Legal Help
Ohio Legal Help offers free guidance on marriage license procedures and a directory of probate courts. The Ohio Supreme Court has standardized forms and self-help materials. Strongsville residents can also contact the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association for referrals to family law attorneys.
Nearby Ohio Cities
Browse marriage license info for other major Ohio cities.