Search Knox County Marriage License
Knox County marriage license applications and certified copies are handled by the Probate Court in Mount Vernon. Both applicants must appear in person to apply.
Knox County Overview
Knox County Probate Court Details
The Knox County Probate Court handles all marriage license applications. Reach them by phone at (740) 670-5812. The court is in the Knox County Courthouse in downtown Mount Vernon. Hours are typically Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Along with marriage licenses, this office manages estate cases, guardianships, name changes, and adoptions.
Both people must appear in person. There is no exception to this rule. ORC 3101.05 requires each applicant to show up at the probate court and fill out the application under oath. One of you must live in Knox County, unless both of you are from out of state and plan to hold the ceremony here. If neither party is an Ohio resident, the marriage must take place in the county where the license was issued.
Note: The Knox County Records Center also stores births, deaths, estate inventories, naturalizations, wills, and veteran burial cards alongside marriage records.
Documents You Need
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works fine. You also need proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card, W-2, or tax document will do. The court collects this number but does not put it on the public record. ORC 3101.051 requires that Social Security numbers be removed before anyone can see the marriage file.
If you were married before, you need a certified copy of each divorce decree. Every past marriage needs to be accounted for. The court wants dates, case numbers, and the name of the court that granted each divorce. If a former spouse died, bring the death certificate. Making false statements on the application is a crime under ORC 2921.13.
You must also state your name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, and your parents' names. The mother's maiden name is required if you know it. All of this goes on the sworn application.
Marriage License Fees
The fee is around $50 in Knox County. Contact the Probate Court to confirm the exact amount and accepted payment methods before your visit. You pay when you complete the in-person application. There are no extra charges for the license. If you need certified copies of the marriage record later on, those have a small per-copy fee.
There is no waiting period. Ohio dropped its five-day wait back in 2001. Your Knox County marriage license is good the moment you pay for it. It stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue, per ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is printed right on the license in prominent type. After 60 days, the license expires and you would have to apply again.
Knox County Marriage Records
Marriage records in Knox County are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can ask to view them during regular business hours. The court must make copies available at a reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are always redacted first.
The Knox County Clerk of Courts maintains separate court records, including divorce documents and other case files. The Clerk can certify marriage dissolution documents, probate records, and final judgments. The screenshot below shows the Clerk of Courts website.
For older records, Knox County marriage certificates on microform are available at the Ohio History Connection. These cover the years 1809 to 1950. Marriage license applications from 1832 to 1846 are available through local genealogy societies. Marriage books 10 (1915 to 1920) and 11 (1920 to 1925) are also part of the historical collection. The screenshot below shows the Ohio History Connection's marriage records guide.
Note: Marriage records before 1899 generally do not include parents' names. Researchers should check additional sources like census records for family connections.
Who Can Officiate in Knox County
Under ORC 3101.08, the list of people who can perform a wedding includes ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Secretary of State, judges, probate judges, and mayors. Religious societies may also perform ceremonies in line with their own rules. The officiant must file the signed marriage certificate with the Knox County Probate Court within 30 days, as required by ORC 3101.13.
Late filing is a minor misdemeanor that can carry a $50 fine. The court gives you a pre-addressed envelope with each license. Once the certificate is filed, the marriage is entered into the county's official books. The probate judge in Knox County can also perform ceremonies under ORC 2101.27, though a fee may apply and the full amount goes to the county treasury.
Getting Certified Copies
Contact the Probate Court at (740) 670-5812 to request a certified copy. You need the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. In-person and mail requests are both accepted. The Ohio Legal Help website has a directory page for the Knox County Probate Court with contact details and guidance on what to expect.
If you are unsure which county a marriage took place in, the Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, forward. This index covers all 88 counties but is just an index. You still need to go to the Knox County Probate Court for the actual certified copy. For records older than 1949, you must know the county or check census records for clues.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.