Highland County Marriage License

Highland County marriage license records are held by the Probate/Juvenile Court in Hillsboro. The court takes applications, issues licenses, and stores completed marriage certificates.

Highland County Probate Court

The Highland County Probate/Juvenile Court is at 105 North High Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133. The probate court phone is (937) 393-9981 and the juvenile court line is (937) 393-9982. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. That early start time is unusual for Ohio courts. Most probate courts in the state open at 8:00 or 8:30 AM, so Highland County gives you an extra hour in the morning.

Judge Kevin L. Greer presides over the court. Dawn Watson serves as Chief Deputy Clerk. The court has jurisdiction over estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Only the probate court can issue a marriage license in Highland County. The Clerk of Courts and the Common Pleas Court handle different matters and do not deal with marriage licenses at all.

How to Get a Marriage License

Both people must appear at the Highland County Probate Court in person. One of them must live in Highland County, or if neither person is an Ohio resident, the wedding must take place in the county. These rules come from ORC 3101.05. The application takes each person's name, age, home address, birthplace, occupation, father's name, and mother's maiden name.

You also need a valid photo ID. A driver's license is the most common form. Social Security numbers are part of the application, but the court removes them before the record goes into the public file. That protection is in ORC 149.43. Lying on the application is a crime under ORC 2921.13, classified as falsification.

If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree. The form asks for the names of past spouses, any minor children, and the court details of the divorce. Widowed applicants need a death certificate. These extra steps take more time, so give yourself enough room in the schedule. No blood test is required. No waiting period applies after the license is approved. The license is valid for 60 days per ORC 3101.07.

Fees for Marriage Licenses

The Highland County marriage license fee is around $50. Call (937) 393-9981 to get the exact amount. Each probate court in Ohio sets its own fee schedule, so the price can change. Ask about payment methods when you call. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are available after the officiant files the signed certificate with the court. There is a per-copy fee for certified copies.

Order more than one certified copy if you plan to change your name after the wedding. The Social Security Administration, BMV, banks, and insurance providers all ask for a certified copy. Some will keep the copy and not return it. Having three or four on hand from the start avoids the hassle of requesting more later by mail.

Wedding Officiants in Ohio

ORC 3101.08 sets the list of people who can legally perform a wedding. Ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State qualify. County court judges, municipal court judges, and probate judges are authorized. Under ORC 2101.27, a probate judge may charge a fee for performing a ceremony, but the entire amount goes to the county general fund. Mayors, the Governor, and any former governor of Ohio can also solemnize marriages.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the certificate and returns it to the Highland County Probate Court within 30 days. This is required by ORC 3101.13. If they miss the deadline, ORC 3101.14 calls it a minor misdemeanor with a fine of up to $50. Couples should check with the court a few weeks after the wedding to confirm the certificate was filed.

Searching Highland County Records

Marriage records in Highland County are public. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to inspect them during business hours. You do not need to explain why. The court will remove Social Security numbers from any records before making them available. Written requests are not mandatory, though the court can ask if you would like to submit one.

The Highland County Probate/Juvenile Court website has details on the court's services and contact information.

For help finding the right court in Ohio, Ohio Legal Help maintains a directory of all 88 county probate courts.

The Ohio Department of Health has a statewide marriage index starting from September 7, 1949. For older records, you need to go to the county directly. The Ohio History Connection holds marriage records from 38 of Ohio's 88 counties, though time periods vary by county. Records before 1899 generally do not include parent names. The Ohio Supreme Court provides standardized probate forms and rules.

Other Courts in Highland County

Highland County has other courts, but none of them handle marriage licenses. The Highland County Clerk of Courts at (937) 393-9957 deals with Common Pleas court filings. The Highland County Common Pleas Court at (937) 393-2422 handles civil and criminal cases. For marriage licenses, the Probate Court on North High Street is the only option. This trips some people up, especially those who call the Clerk's office first. The Clerk does not issue marriage licenses and will redirect you to probate court.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.