Fayette County Marriage License

Marriage license records in Fayette County are on file at the Probate Court in Washington Court House. Appointments are required, so call ahead before visiting.

Fayette County Probate Court Details

The Fayette County Probate Court is located at 110 E. Court Street, 2nd Floor, Washington Court House, OH 43160. The phone number is (740) 335-0640, and the fax is (740) 333-3598. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marriage licenses are issued by appointment only. Call the number above to set up your time. The court also has a PDF of its marriage license requirements that you can read before your visit to make sure you bring everything you need.

The Fayette County Probate Court website shows the appointment process and current requirements for a marriage license.

The court's page includes the phone number to call for your appointment and a link to the requirements PDF.

What You Need to Apply

Both people must come to the appointment together. Each person must bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID. You will also need your Social Security number. Ohio law requires the SSN on the application, but it does not show up on the license. Under ORC 3101.05, each applicant must state their name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, father's name, mother's maiden name, and the name of the person who will perform the ceremony.

If either person was married before, you need a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree. It must show the case number, date, and the court that issued it. You also must list the names of any minor children from that marriage on the application. For applicants who are not U.S. citizens, a valid passport or resident alien card is required in place of or in addition to other ID.

Marriage License Fees

The fee for a Fayette County marriage license is approximately $50. Check with the clerk when you call to schedule your appointment, as fees can change. The court can tell you exactly what forms of payment they accept. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are a small additional charge. Most people find it helpful to order several copies right away, since banks, the Social Security office, and the BMV all want to see an original certified copy when you change your name.

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, marriage records are public. Anyone can request copies or view them at the courthouse during business hours. The court must remove Social Security numbers before making any records available, but all other details remain part of the public file.

After Getting Your License

Once you have the marriage license, you have 60 days to hold the ceremony. This is set by ORC 3101.07. If the 60 days pass without a wedding, the license expires and you'll need to get a new one. There is no waiting period, so you can marry the same day you get the license. The officiant must be someone authorized under ORC 3101.08. That includes ordained ministers registered with the Secretary of State, judges, mayors, and probate judges.

The officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Fayette County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. If it is not returned in time, the officiant faces a $50 fine under ORC 3101.14. Once the signed certificate is on file, the marriage is part of the official record. You can then order certified copies from the court.

Searching Fayette County Marriage Records

Fayette County was formed in 1810. Marriage records go back to that time. If you are looking for a recent record, contact the Probate Court directly. For records from 1949 forward, the Ohio Department of Health has a statewide marriage index that can help you find which county holds a particular record. But the actual certified copy must come from the Fayette County court if the marriage happened here.

For older records or genealogy purposes, there is no state index before September 7, 1949. You would need to search directly with the Probate Court or check the Ohio History Connection for any Fayette County records they may hold. The Ohio Legal Help website also has a directory page for the Fayette County Probate Court with contact details and links to free legal help in the area.

The Ohio Legal Help page for Fayette County lists office hours, phone numbers, and links to nearby legal aid programs.

Correcting a Marriage Certificate

If there is a mistake on the certificate, Ohio law provides a way to fix it. Under ORC 3101.15, a person can file an application to correct a marriage certificate. This must be backed by an affidavit from at least one person who knows the correct facts. The court can set a hearing, and if the judge agrees the correction is valid, an order is entered to update the record. Small errors like a misspelled name or wrong date can usually be fixed without much trouble, but you should act on it as soon as you notice the problem.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.