Madison County Marriage License

Madison County marriage license records are kept by the Probate Court in London. The court offers an online application to speed things up, though both applicants must still visit in person.

Madison County Probate Court

The Madison County Probate Court is at 1 N. Main Street, Room 205, London, Ohio 43140. Phone: (740) 852-0756. Fax: (740) 852-7134. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Note that the court closes at 3:30 p.m., which is earlier than many Ohio counties. Plan your visit accordingly.

Both people must appear in person at the court. That is the law under ORC 3101.05. At least one applicant must be a Madison County resident, or you must marry in Madison County if you are from out of state. The court offers an online marriage license application that you can fill out ahead of time. This saves time at the courthouse, but the in-person visit is still required to complete the process.

What You Need to Apply

Each person needs a valid photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You also need your Social Security number. The court accepts the card itself or a document showing the number, such as a W-2 or tax return. Under ORC 3101.051, Social Security numbers are removed from the public record before anyone can view it. That protects your personal information.

If you were married before, bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree for each past marriage. Not just the last one. Every single one. The court needs the date, case number, and the court that granted each divorce. If a former spouse died, bring the death certificate. You must state your full name, age, birthplace, residence, occupation, and parents' names. False statements on the application carry criminal penalties under ORC 2921.13.

Fees and How Long the License Lasts

The marriage license fee in Madison County is around $50. Call the court to confirm the exact amount and accepted payment forms. You pay at the time you complete the application. There are no hidden fees for the license.

Ohio has no waiting period. That ended in 2001 when the state dropped its five-day wait. The license is valid right away. It stays good for 60 days from the date it was issued, per ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is printed on the license. After 60 days, it expires. You can use your Madison County license anywhere in Ohio. If the ceremony does not happen within the 60-day window, you start over with a new application and a new fee.

Marriage Record Access

Marriage records in Madison County are public. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to request copies during regular business hours. The court provides copies at a reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are always removed first. You can request records in person, by phone, or by mail.

The Madison County Probate Court website also has information about the online application process. Below is a screenshot of the county's website.

The Ohio Department of Health maintains a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, to the present. It covers all 88 Ohio counties. But the index only helps you find where a marriage was recorded. Certified copies must come from the Madison County Probate Court. If you do not know which county a marriage occurred in, the statewide index is the best place to start.

Officiants and Filing Rules

Under ORC 3101.08, people who can perform a wedding in Ohio include ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors of any Ohio city. Religious societies may also conduct ceremonies under their own rules. The probate judge in Madison County can officiate under ORC 2101.27, with any fee going to the county treasury.

The officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Madison County Probate Court within 30 days. That is the rule under ORC 3101.13. Failure to file on time is a minor misdemeanor. The court hands out a pre-addressed envelope with each license. Once the certificate is filed, it gets recorded in the county's permanent books in the order it was received.

Certified Copies and Genealogy

To get a certified copy of a Madison County marriage record, call the Probate Court at (740) 852-0756. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of marriage. In-person and mail requests are both accepted. A small fee applies per copy. For legal use, you need the certified version from the Probate Court.

For genealogy research, the Ohio History Connection may hold some older Madison County records. Marriage records before 1899 generally do not include parents' names, which is a gap that genealogy researchers should be aware of. Census records from the period can help fill in missing information. The Ohio Legal Help website includes a county court directory with contact details and helpful guidance for anyone searching for records.

Before September 7, 1949, there was no statewide index to Ohio marriages. Researchers looking for Madison County marriages before that date need to contact the Probate Court directly. Check census records for clues about where a couple was living before or after the marriage to narrow down which county likely holds the record.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.