Ashland County Marriage License
Ashland County marriage license records come from the Probate Court in the city of Ashland. Visit the office at 142 West 2nd Street to apply for a new license or get a copy of an existing record.
Ashland County Overview
Ashland County Probate Court
The Ashland County Probate Court is at 142 West 2nd Street, Ashland, OH 44805. The phone number is (419) 282-4216. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Along with marriage licenses, the court handles estates, guardianships, and adoptions for Ashland County residents.
Both parties must come to the courthouse in person to apply for a marriage license. This is a statewide rule laid out in ORC 3101.05. You each take an oath and provide your name, age, place of birth, occupation, and parents' names. The application also asks for the name of the person who will perform the ceremony. All of this gets recorded in the court's official book.
You can visit the Ohio Legal Help page for Ashland County for more guidance on what to expect when applying. That site covers the basics of Ohio's marriage license process and confirms hours and contact details for the Ashland County court.
Marriage License Documents Needed
Each person needs a valid photo ID. Driver's licenses, state IDs, and passports all work. You must also show your Social Security number, but it will not appear on the public marriage record. Ohio law under ORC 3101.051 says the court must delete Social Security numbers before releasing records to the public.
If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate that ended each prior marriage. The application must include the names of former spouses, any minor children, and the jurisdiction, date, and case number of the divorce. Leave anything out and the court can hold up your application until you bring the right papers.
Note: The Ashland County Probate Court can also help with birth and death records from 1867 to 1908 if you need them for family research.
Ashland County Marriage License Fees
The fee for a marriage license in Ashland County is around $50. Contact the court at (419) 282-4216 to confirm the exact amount and which payment methods they accept. Each Ohio county sets its own fee, so prices can vary a bit. Ohio ended its waiting period in 2001. You can marry the same day you get the license.
The license is valid for 60 days. That is the rule under ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is printed in large type right on the license. If 60 days pass without a wedding, you need a new license.
Getting Ashland County Marriage Records
Ashland County marriage records are public under ORC 149.43. You can request copies during regular business hours. The court will remove Social Security numbers before handing over records. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature, which you need for legal purposes like name changes or passport applications.
The Ashland County Probate Court website shows available services and gives contact information. Here is a screenshot of that site.
Records go back to 1846, when Ashland County was first created. If you are looking for marriages before that date, you will need to check the parent counties: Wayne, Richland, Huron, or Lorain. The Ohio History Connection provides research guidance and may have some older records on microfilm or in their archives.
Mail requests for certified copies are accepted. Send your request to the Ashland County Probate Court at 142 West 2nd Street, Ashland, OH 44805. Include both spouses' full names and the marriage date. The court will let you know the copy fee. Certified copies have the court seal and work for legal uses like name changes and passport applications.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding
Under ORC 3101.08, authorized officiants include ordained or licensed ministers, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors. Ministers must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to legally perform weddings.
The officiant must file the marriage certificate with the Ashland County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. ORC 3101.13 sets that deadline. The court gives you a pre-addressed envelope with the license to make filing simple. If the certificate is not filed on time, the officiant faces a minor misdemeanor and up to a $50 fine.
Statewide Marriage Index
Not sure if a marriage took place in Ashland County? The Ohio Department of Health runs a statewide index of marriage records from September 7, 1949, forward. This index covers all Ohio counties and can help you figure out where a marriage was recorded. But the index is not a source for certified copies. Those must come from the county Probate Court where the license was issued.
For records before 1949, there is no statewide index. You need to know (or guess) which county the marriage took place in. The U.S. Federal Census can help. Check where the couple was living in the census year closest to the likely marriage date, and that county is your best bet.
The Ohio Legal Help website also provides a directory of all 88 county probate courts, which is handy if you need to reach out to multiple counties during your search.
Note: Ashland County was formed from four different counties in 1846, so check Wayne, Richland, Huron, and Lorain for earlier records.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.