Clinton County Marriage License
Marriage license records in Clinton County are handled by the Probate Court in Wilmington. The court issues new licenses and provides copies of existing records.
Clinton County Overview
Clinton County Probate Court
The Clinton County Probate Court is at 46 South South Street, Second Floor, Suite 224, Wilmington, OH 45177. Yes, the street name really is "South South Street." The phone number is (937) 382-2280 and the fax is (937) 383-1158. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This is a smaller county court, but the process works the same as any other in Ohio. Both parties must appear in person, show valid photo ID, and fill out the application under oath. The Probate Court is the only office in Clinton County that can issue a marriage license. No other office, department, or agency has that power under Ohio law.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Show up with your partner during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. Know your Social Security number. The application will ask for your name, age, where you live, where you were born, your job, and both parents' names. It sounds like a lot, but most of it is basic info you already know.
If either of you was married before, you need more paperwork. Bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree for the most recent marriage. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate. You must also list any minor children from previous marriages on the application. ORC 3101.05 sets all of these requirements, and they apply in every Ohio county.
Note: Clinton County marriage certificates from 1928 onward are at the Probate Court. Older records may be at the Clinton County Records and Archives.
Fees and Timing
The marriage license fee is about $50. Call the court at (937) 382-2280 to check the exact amount and accepted payment types. Ohio has no waiting period. Since February 2001, you can get the license and use it that same day. The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued, per ORC 3101.07.
There is no blood test. Some people still think Ohio requires one, but it does not. The only medical-related restriction is that the court will not issue a license to someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who has communicable syphilis, under ORC 3101.06.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
ORC 3101.08 lists everyone who can legally perform a wedding in Ohio. The list includes ordained or licensed ministers with a license from the Ohio Secretary of State, county court judges, municipal court judges, probate judges under ORC 2101.27, mayors, and religious societies following their own church rules. Even the governor or a former governor of Ohio can do it.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and file it with the Clinton County Probate Court within 30 days. The court hands out a return envelope with each license. Missing the 30-day deadline is a minor misdemeanor with a $50 fine.
Clinton County Marriage Records
Clinton County was formed in 1810. Marriage records from that year forward are part of the county's archives. The Clinton County History Center has published indexes that cover a lot of ground. Their "Marriage Records of Clinton County, Ohio, Probate Court, 1810-1900" index is available for $20, and "Probate Court Marriage Records 1901-1925" is $15. These can save you a lot of time if you are doing genealogy research.
For records after 1928, the Probate Court is the place to go. For birth and death records before 1908, those are at the Clinton County Records and Archives at (937) 382-2067. After 1908, birth and death certificates are at the Clinton County Health Department at (937) 382-3829. Marriage records, though, stay with the Probate Court regardless of date. That part does not change.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records
Marriage records are public in Ohio. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. The court must remove Social Security numbers before sharing records. Other than that, the information on a marriage license is open to the public.
Contact the court at (937) 382-2280 to ask about fees for certified copies. You can visit in person or send a request by mail to 46 South South Street, Suite 224, Wilmington, OH 45177. Provide the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. A certified copy with the court seal is what you need for legal matters like name changes or proving marital status.
Note: The statewide marriage index at the Ohio Department of Health goes back to September 7, 1949, but certified copies still come only from the county probate court.
Age Rules and Restrictions
Both people must be 18 or older. If one person is 17, the rules get stricter. Under ORC 3101.02, a 17-year-old needs consent from a juvenile court. The other person cannot be more than four years older. The juvenile court has to determine that the marriage is free from force and in the best interests of both parties. No one under 17 can get married in Ohio at all.
The court will also refuse to issue a license if either person is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance at the time of the application. That rule comes from ORC 3101.06.
Additional Resources
Ohio Legal Help has a directory entry for the Clinton County Probate Court with basic contact information and guidance. For genealogy, the Ohio History Connection has a guide to marriage records across Ohio. The connection between Dayton and Cincinnati puts Clinton County in a region with many resources for records research.
The Clinton County Records and Archives site outlines where to find different types of vital records, including which office handles marriage certificates versus birth and death records.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.