Adams County Marriage License Records

Adams County marriage license records are kept by the Probate Court in West Union. Both new applications and copies of past records go through the office at 110 West Main Street.

Adams County Probate Court Details

The Adams County Probate Court sits at 110 West Main Street in West Union, OH 45693. You can reach them by phone at (937) 544-2921 or fax at (937) 544-8911. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and they close on all legal holidays. This court handles marriage license applications along with estate cases, guardianships, and adoptions.

Both people who want a marriage license must show up in person during business hours. That is a firm rule under ORC 3101.05. There is no way around it. At least one of you must live in Adams County if you plan to use the license somewhere else in Ohio. If both of you live out of state, you can still get a license here, but the ceremony must take place in Adams County.

The Adams County Probate Court also offers an online marriage license application. You can fill out most of the form ahead of time, which cuts down on how long you spend at the courthouse. Bring a printout of your confirmation when you visit.

What You Need for a Marriage License

Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You also need proof of your Social Security number. The court accepts your Social Security card, but they will also take insurance documents, bank records, or tax forms that show your number. Under ORC 3101.051, your Social Security number will not appear on the public marriage record. It gets removed before anyone can see the file.

Were you married before? You must bring a file-stamped copy of the final divorce decree for every past marriage. Not just the most recent one. All of them. The court needs dates, case numbers, and the jurisdiction where each divorce was granted. False information on a marriage license application is a crime under ORC 2921.13.

Marriage License Fees in Adams County

The fee is $50. Cash, money order, debit cards, and credit cards are all fine. The court does not take personal checks. You pay this fee when you finish the application in person. There are no extra charges for the license itself. If you need certified copies of the marriage record later, expect a small per-copy fee.

Once you pay, the license is good right away. There is no waiting period in Ohio. That changed back in 2001 when the state dropped its old five-day wait. Your Adams County marriage license stays valid for 60 days from the date it was issued, with the first day counting as day one. After 60 days, it expires and you would need to start over. That rule comes from ORC 3101.07, and the expiration date is printed right on the license.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony

Ohio law lists specific people who can perform a wedding. Under ORC 3101.08, that includes ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Secretary of State, judges of county or municipal courts, probate judges, and mayors of any Ohio city. The superintendent of the Ohio School for the Deaf and Blind can also officiate, and religious groups may perform ceremonies in line with their own rules.

After the wedding, the person who performed it must file the marriage certificate with the Adams County Probate Court within 30 days. That filing requirement is set out in ORC 3101.13. If they miss that deadline, it is a minor misdemeanor that can carry a $50 fine. The court provides a pre-addressed envelope with each license to make the return easy.

Adams County Marriage Record Access

Marriage records in Adams County are public. Anyone can request to view them during regular business hours. That right comes from ORC 149.43, Ohio's public records law. The court must provide copies at a reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are always removed before the records go out to the public.

For the Adams County Probate Court website, you can find contact details and begin the online application process. The screenshot below shows the court's main page with links to marriage license forms and other services.

Historical marriage records in Adams County go back to 1797, when the county was first formed. Early records may only show the names of the couple and the date. Later records include more details like parents' names, places of birth, and occupations. The Ohio History Connection may hold some older Adams County records in their archives, though certified copies for legal use must come from the Probate Court.

Getting Certified Copies in Adams County

Need a certified copy of a marriage record? Contact the Probate Court at (937) 544-2921. You can visit in person or send a request by mail. The court needs enough detail to find the record, so have the names of both parties and an approximate date ready. Birth and death records from 1867 to 1908 are also on file at the Adams County Probate Court, which can be helpful for family research.

The Ohio Legal Help page for Adams County has additional guidance on what to expect when you request records. Below is a screenshot of that resource page.

For older marriage records, the Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index going back to September 7, 1949. This index covers all 88 Ohio counties. But it is just an index. The actual certified copies still come from the Adams County Probate Court. If you are not sure which county a marriage took place in, the statewide index is a good place to start your search.

Genealogy Research in Adams County

Adams County was one of the first counties formed in Ohio. Its records go back to 1797. That makes it a prime spot for genealogical work. The Probate Court keeps marriage records from the county's formation, and some of the earliest documents only list names and dates. As you move into the mid-1800s and beyond, records get much more detailed.

Keep in mind that Adams County sits along the Ohio River. Some early settlers married in neighboring Kentucky counties before Ohio became a state. If you hit a dead end in Adams County records, try looking across the river. The Ohio History Connection notes this pattern in several southern Ohio counties. Also check the U.S. Federal Census for clues about where couples were living just before or after they got married.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.