Auglaize County Marriage License
Auglaize County marriage license records are on file at the Probate Court in Wapakoneta. The office on South Willipie Street handles new applications and copies of past records.
Auglaize County Overview
Auglaize County Probate Court Info
The Auglaize County Probate Court is at 201 S Willipie Street, Suite 119, Wapakoneta, OH 45895. The phone number is (419) 739-6765. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The court issues marriage licenses and also handles estates, guardianships, and adoptions.
Both people must come in together to apply. That is a firm rule under ORC 3101.05. Each person takes an oath and provides their personal details: name, age, where they live, place of birth, what they do for work, and parents' names. You also tell the court who you want to perform the ceremony. If the probate judge sees no legal issue, the license is granted right away.
Residency matters in Auglaize County. At least one of you must live here if you want to use the license elsewhere in Ohio. Both parties can be from out of state, but then the ceremony has to happen in Auglaize County. That is the same rule that applies across all 88 Ohio counties.
What You Need to Apply
Each person needs a valid photo ID. Bring your driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need to show your Social Security number. Under ORC 3101.051, the court records this number but removes it from any public copy of the marriage record. That keeps your personal information safe.
Were you married before? Bring proof that each prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree works, as does a death certificate if your former spouse passed away. The application must list the names of all prior spouses, any minor children from those marriages, and the details of the divorce, including where it was filed, when, and the case number. Leaving things out or getting facts wrong can lead to real legal trouble under ORC 2921.13.
Note: Auglaize County's Probate Court hours start at 8:30 a.m., which is later than some nearby counties, so plan your visit accordingly.
Auglaize County Marriage License Fees
Expect to pay about $50 for a marriage license. Call (419) 739-6765 to confirm the exact fee and learn which payment types the court accepts. There is no waiting period in Ohio. That rule changed in 2001, when the old five-day wait was eliminated. Your Auglaize County marriage license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued, as laid out in ORC 3101.07. If the wedding does not happen within 60 days, you must apply and pay again.
Auglaize County Marriage Records
Marriage records in Auglaize County go back to 1848. They are public records under ORC 149.43, and anyone can request to see them. The court removes Social Security numbers before releasing records. Certified copies with the court's seal are available for a fee and can be used for name changes, passport applications, and other legal purposes.
The Ohio Legal Help page for Auglaize County gives more details about the Probate Court and what to expect when you visit. Here is a screenshot of that page.
For broader searches, the Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, covering all 88 counties. If you are not sure which county a marriage was recorded in, this index is a good starting point. But certified copies still must come from the Auglaize County Probate Court.
Genealogy Research in Auglaize County
Auglaize County was carved from Allen and Mercer counties in 1848. If you are looking for marriages before that year, check those parent counties. The Wright State University Libraries hold Auglaize County marriage records from 1848 to 1921, plus Marriage Consent Records from 1906 to 1926. These consent records document parental approval for underage marriages and often include extra family details that the regular marriage records lack.
The Wright State collection is in Fairborn, Ohio. It provides an alternative access point for researchers who cannot travel to Wapakoneta. For legal purposes, though, you still need a certified copy from the Probate Court. The Ohio History Connection may also have some Auglaize County records in their holdings.
Note: Wright State holds Auglaize County marriage consent records from 1906 to 1926, which can reveal family relationships not found in standard marriage records.
Officiants and Certificate Filing
Under ORC 3101.08, the list of people who can perform your wedding includes ordained ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, mayors, and religious groups following their own church rules. The Auglaize County Probate Judge can also officiate under ORC 2101.27.
Whoever performs the ceremony must file the marriage certificate with the Auglaize County Probate Court within 30 days. That is required by ORC 3101.13. A pre-addressed envelope comes with the license. Failing to file on time is a minor misdemeanor with a possible $50 fine.
If you want the Auglaize County Probate Judge to perform your wedding, call the court at (419) 739-6765 to ask about scheduling and any extra fees. The judge can officiate under ORC 2101.27. Any fees the judge charges go to the county general fund, not to the judge personally.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.