Find Licking County Marriage License
Licking County marriage license records are handled by the Probate Court in Newark. The court requires an in-person appointment for all applications.
Licking County Overview
Licking County Probate Court
The Licking County Probate Court is at 1 N. Park Place, 1st Floor, Newark, Ohio 43055. Phone: (740) 670-5624. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The court handles all marriage license applications in the county along with estates, guardianships, and adoptions.
Appointments are required. You cannot walk in. Submit the online application at least 24 hours before your appointment. Then call (740) 670-5624 to schedule a time. Both applicants must appear in person, as required by ORC 3101.05. One or both applicants must be Licking County residents, or out-of-state residents must plan to marry in Licking County. The minimum age is 18 years. If either applicant is under 18, contact the court for additional requirements under ORC 3101.02.
Note: The online application does not replace the in-person visit. Print your confirmation page and bring it to the appointment.
What You Need to Apply
The Licking County Probate Court needs several pieces of information from each applicant. You must provide your full name, Social Security number, current address, telephone number, place of birth (city and state), date of birth, occupation, and parents' first, middle, and last names as they appear on your birth certificate. Maiden names are required for mothers.
Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport will work. Your Social Security number is collected but does not appear on the public record, per ORC 3101.051. If you were married before, you must provide the number of previous marriages and a certified copy of the most recent divorce or dissolution decree. If widowed, bring the full name and date of death of the deceased spouse along with the death certificate.
You can also list the person you expect to perform the ceremony, if you know who that will be at the time of the application.
Marriage License Fee
The fee in Licking County is $70.00. Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted. The court does not take checks. You pay at the time of your appointment. There are no extra charges for the license itself. This fee is set by the Licking County Probate Court and may differ from other Ohio counties.
There is no waiting period in Ohio. That changed in 2001 when the old five-day wait was dropped. Your license is valid the moment you pay. It stays good for 60 days from the issue date, per ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is printed right on the license. After 60 days it expires and you would need to apply again with a new fee. The license works anywhere in Ohio.
Licking County Marriage Records
Marriage records in Licking County are public under ORC 149.43. The court holds marriage records that were issued in Licking County only. For licenses issued before 1991, the court needs the date of marriage to find the record. If you are unsure which county issued the license, contact Ohio Vital Statistics at 614-466-2531 for help with the statewide index.
The screenshot below shows the Licking County Probate Court's marriage license information page, where you can start the online application process.
To request a certified copy in person, provide the names of both parties as they existed before the marriage and the date of the marriage. The fee is $2.00 per copy. Cash, check, credit, and debit are all accepted for copies. Mail request forms are also available. The certified copy page on the court website has full details.
Note: A fire in 1875 destroyed many early Licking County court records. Some records survived, but researchers working on pre-1875 marriages may find gaps.
Historical Records and Genealogy
The Licking County Records and Archives Center holds historical probate records including marriage certificates from 1875 to the present. For official or certified records, contact the Probate Court directly at (740) 670-5624. The screenshot below shows the Records and Archives page.
The Ohio History Connection may also hold some older Licking County records. Marriage records before 1899 often do not include parents' names, which is a common gap for genealogy researchers. Census records from the era can help fill in missing details. The Licking County Health Department at 675 Price Road in Newark handles birth and death certificates but does not maintain marriage or divorce records.
Ceremony Officiants
Ohio law sets out who can perform a wedding. Under ORC 3101.08, that list includes ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, judges, probate judges, and mayors. Religious groups may conduct ceremonies under their own rules. The officiant must file the signed marriage certificate with the Licking County Probate Court within 30 days, as required by ORC 3101.13.
Late filing carries a $50 fine as a minor misdemeanor. The court provides a pre-addressed envelope with each license. Once filed, the certificate becomes part of the county's permanent records.
If you want the Licking County Probate Judge to perform your ceremony, call (740) 670-5624 to check on scheduling and fees. The probate judge can officiate under ORC 2101.27. Any fee charged goes to the county general fund. You can also use the online application portal to submit your paperwork ahead of time, which saves time at your appointment.
Cities in Licking County
Newark is the county seat and largest city in Licking County. Residents apply for marriage licenses at the Licking County Probate Court.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.