Lorain County Marriage License Search

Lorain County marriage license records are handled by the Probate Court in Elyria. The court also keeps an online records database for looking up existing records.

Lorain County Probate Court

The Lorain County Probate Court is at the Justice Center, 225 Court Street, 6th Floor, Elyria, OH 44035. Phone: (440) 329-5175. Fax: (440) 328-2157. Judge James T. Walther presides over the court. For marriage license questions specifically, you can also call (440) 329-5295. The court handles marriage licenses, estate cases, guardianships, and adoptions.

Both applicants must appear in person. That is a hard rule under ORC 3101.05. At least one person must be a Lorain County resident. If both are from out of state, the ceremony must take place in the county. You fill out the application under oath. Each person states their name, age, place of birth, occupation, and parents' names.

Documents and Requirements

Bring a valid photo ID for each applicant. Driver's license, state ID, or passport all work fine. You need proof of your Social Security number as well. A Social Security card, W-2, or tax return will do. Under ORC 3101.051, the court removes Social Security numbers before making records available to the public.

If you were married before, bring certified copies of all divorce decrees. Every single one, not just the last. The court needs dates, case numbers, and the court that granted each divorce. If a previous spouse died, bring the death certificate instead. Providing false information on the application is a criminal offense under ORC 2921.13. The application also requires the name of the person expected to officiate, if known at the time.

Fees and License Period

The marriage license fee in Lorain County is around $50. Call the Probate Court to confirm the exact amount and accepted forms of payment. You pay at the time of application. No additional charges for the license.

Ohio has no waiting period. The old five-day wait ended in 2001. Your license is good right away. It stays valid for 60 days from the issue date, per ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is on the license. You can use it anywhere in Ohio. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you need to apply again with a new fee.

Online Records Search

Lorain County offers something many Ohio counties do not: an online records search for probate records including marriage licenses. The database is updated every Saturday with the previous week's data. It contains all probate records from 1824 to the present. You can search by name, license number, or date range.

The search results show the names of both parties, the officiant, license number, issue date, marriage date, book and page number, and case status. This is a free search tool and a great starting point for anyone looking up marriage records in Lorain County. Below is a screenshot of the Lorain County Probate Court's online records search page.

Keep in mind that the online search shows record information, but it is not a certified copy. For legal use, you still need to request a certified copy from the Probate Court. The Lorain County Clerk of Courts also has online case records for civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases going back to 1988, but marriage license records are only at the Probate Court.

Officiants in Lorain County

Under ORC 3101.08, authorized officiants include ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors. Religious groups may perform ceremonies under their own rules. The Lorain County probate judge can also officiate under ORC 2101.27.

After the ceremony, the officiant must file the signed marriage certificate with the Lorain County Probate Court within 30 days. That is required by ORC 3101.13. Late filing is a minor misdemeanor that carries up to a $50 fine. The court gives a pre-addressed envelope with each license. Once filed, the certificate is entered into the county's permanent records.

Certified Copies and Research

Contact the Probate Court at (440) 329-5175 to request a certified copy of a Lorain County marriage record. You need the names of both parties and an approximate date. In-person and mail requests are accepted. For genealogy work, the online search tool covers records from 1824 forward, which is a strong starting point.

The Ohio Department of Health has a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, to the present covering all 88 counties. But certified copies still come from the Lorain County Probate Court. The Ohio History Connection may hold older records. The Ohio Legal Help website has a directory for the Lorain County Probate Court with contact details.

Cities in Lorain County

Lorain County includes the cities of Lorain and Elyria, both of which have dedicated city pages. Residents of these cities apply for marriage licenses at the Lorain County Probate Court in Elyria.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.