Belmont County Marriage License Records
Belmont County marriage license records are managed by the Probate Court in St. Clairsville. The court at 101 W Main Street issues new licenses and provides certified copies of past records.
Belmont County Overview
Belmont County Probate Court
The Belmont County Probate Court is located at 101 W Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950. Call (740) 695-5406 with questions. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. It handles marriage licenses along with estate cases, guardianships, and adoptions.
Applying for a marriage license in Belmont County requires both parties to appear in person at the Probate Court. Under ORC 3101.05, each person must state under oath their name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, parents' names, and the name of the person they want to perform the ceremony. The probate judge reviews the application and, if there are no legal issues, issues the license that same visit.
The Belmont County Probate Court website gives you an overview of the court's services and how to reach them. Below is a screenshot of that page.
The court's location in St. Clairsville puts it close to the Ohio-West Virginia border. Some couples from the Wheeling, West Virginia area may find it convenient to apply here, though residency rules still apply.
Belmont County's Probate Court also handles estates, guardianships, and adoption cases. Call ahead if you plan to visit during lunch hours, as staff may be limited. The office at 101 W Main Street is easy to find in downtown St. Clairsville. Parking is available near the courthouse. If you have questions about forms or what to bring, the staff at (740) 695-5406 can walk you through the steps over the phone before your visit.
Documents for a Marriage License
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID card all work. You also need to provide your Social Security number. Ohio law protects that number from being shown on the public version of the marriage record under ORC 3101.051. The court must remove it before letting anyone else view the file.
If you have been married before, bring proof. A certified copy of the divorce decree is the standard document. You need to list the names of both parties from each prior marriage, any minor children, and the jurisdiction, date, and case number of the divorce. This is not optional. Providing false information is a crime under ORC 2921.13, and the Belmont County Probate Court takes that seriously.
Note: Belmont County's court hours end at 4:15 p.m., which is slightly different from the standard 4:00 p.m. closing time used in most Ohio counties.
Marriage License Fees and Timing
The marriage license fee in Belmont County is around $50. Call the court at (740) 695-5406 to confirm the exact amount and find out what forms of payment they accept. Ohio has no waiting period. The license takes effect the moment it is issued. It stays good for 60 days, per ORC 3101.07. After that, it expires and you start over.
At least one person must live in Belmont County to use the license anywhere in Ohio. If both people are from out of state, the wedding must happen in Belmont County. That is the same residency rule every Ohio county follows.
Belmont County Marriage Record Access
Marriage records in Belmont County are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can request to see them or get copies during business hours. Social Security numbers are always removed first. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted for legal purposes, from name changes to insurance claims to passport applications.
The Ohio Legal Help page for Belmont County provides information about the Probate Court and its services. The screenshot below shows that resource.
The Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, covering all counties. If you are not sure whether a marriage happened in Belmont County or across the river in West Virginia, this index can help narrow things down. For records before 1949, there is no statewide index and you must check the county directly.
Belmont County's location along the Ohio River means some historical marriages involved people from neighboring West Virginia. If you cannot find a record in Belmont County, it may be worth checking Ohio County or Marshall County in West Virginia. Cross-border marriages were common in this area, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Who Can Perform Weddings
Ohio law under ORC 3101.08 sets out who can officiate a wedding. Ordained ministers registered with the Secretary of State, judges, probate judges, mayors, and religious societies all qualify. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Belmont County Probate Court within 30 days. ORC 3101.13 requires this. A stamped envelope comes with each license to make it easy.
Genealogy in Belmont County
Belmont County records go back to 1801. Early records may only show names and dates, while later ones include more detail. The Ohio History Connection provides a research guide for Ohio marriage records and may hold some Belmont County records in their archives. For legal-quality copies, though, you must go through the Probate Court in St. Clairsville.
Note: Because Belmont County borders West Virginia, researchers should consider checking records on both sides of the Ohio River for complete family histories.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.