Search Allen County Marriage License

Allen County marriage license records are managed by the Probate Court in Lima. Apply online first, then visit the courthouse on Wardhill Avenue to complete the process in person.

Allen County Probate Court Info

The Allen County Probate Court is at 1000 Wardhill Ave, Lima, OH 45805. Call the main line at (419) 223-8501, or reach the marriage records line at (419) 227-5531. The email address is probate@allencountyohio.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and then 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note that the court closes for lunch.

Allen County has a two-step process for marriage license applications. First, you must complete the application online through the Allen County Probate Court website. This is not optional. After that, both of you must go to the courthouse and sign the application under oath in front of a Deputy Clerk. The online step gathers all of the information that ORC 3101.05 requires: names, ages, residences, places of birth, occupations, parents' names, and the name of your planned officiant.

Below is a screenshot of the Allen County Probate Court website where you can start the process.

If you have questions about the online form, call the marriage records line at (419) 227-5531 and choose option 2, then option 3. Deputy Clerk Marissa Davis handles marriage record inquiries and can walk you through the steps.

Marriage License Requirements

Both people must show up at the courthouse. No exceptions. Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or visa. You also need to prove your Social Security number, though it will be kept off the public record under ORC 3101.051.

If you were married before, Allen County needs detailed records. Bring a copy of the divorce or dissolution decree for each past marriage. You must list the names of both parties from each prior marriage, the names and ages of any minor children, and the jurisdiction, date, and case number of the decree. Getting any of this wrong is not just a problem. It is a crime under ORC 2921.13. The Allen County Clerk of Courts can help you get certified copies of divorce records if you need them.

Fees and Timing in Allen County

The marriage license fee is $50.00. You pay it when you finish the in-person part of the application. Ohio dropped its waiting period in 2001, so the license is good the same day you get it. It stays valid for 60 days. If the wedding does not happen in that window, the license expires and you start the whole process again, per ORC 3101.07.

At least one person must live in Allen County to use the license anywhere in Ohio. If both of you are from out of state, you can still get a license here, but the wedding itself must happen in Allen County.

Allen County Marriage Record Copies

The Probate Court keeps marriage records from 1831 to today. You can get certified copies in person, by mail, or by calling (419) 227-5531. Records are available in original form, on microfilm, on microfiche, and in some cases through computerized indexes. The court also holds birth and death records from 1867 to 1908, which can be useful for family research.

Marriage records are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can ask to see them. The court removes Social Security numbers before making records available, but all other details are open. For marriage records from September 7, 1949, onward, the Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide index that covers all 88 counties. That index helps when you are not sure which county a marriage took place in. But certified copies still come from the Allen County Probate Court.

The Allen County Genealogical Society also has a marriage records index that covers March 1943 through 1957. This resource is housed at the Elizabeth M. MacDonall Memorial Library at 620 West Market St. in Lima. It can help you narrow down what you are looking for before requesting official court copies.

Who Performs Weddings in Ohio

After you get your Allen County marriage license, the ceremony can be done by any authorized officiant. ORC 3101.08 lists the people who can legally marry you. Ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State qualify. So do county and municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors of any Ohio municipality. Religious societies can also perform ceremonies according to their own rules.

Whoever performs your wedding has 30 days to file the marriage certificate with the Allen County Probate Court. That is the law under ORC 3101.13. A stamped, pre-addressed envelope comes with the license to make filing easy. Late filing is a minor misdemeanor with a $50 fine.

Cities in Allen County

The city of Lima serves as the Allen County seat and is the largest city in the county. Residents of Lima and surrounding communities all use the Allen County Probate Court for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.