Find Marriage License in Meigs County
Meigs County marriage license records are managed by the Probate Court in Pomeroy. Whether you need to apply for a new license or get a copy of an old record, the courthouse on East Second Street is the place to go.
Meigs County Overview
Meigs County Probate Court
The Meigs County Probate/Juvenile Court sits at 100 East Second Street, Courthouse, Probate/Juvenile Division, Pomeroy, Ohio 45769. The phone number is (740) 992-3096 and the fax is (740) 992-6727. Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. This court is the sole agency that can issue marriage licenses in Meigs County. No other office has that power.
Both applicants must come in person. ORC 3101.05 requires it, and there are no exceptions for most couples. At least one person must be a Meigs County resident. If both of you live out of state, you can still apply here, but the ceremony must take place in Meigs County. The application is taken under oath, and the court checks for any legal issues before the license is granted.
Meigs County is a smaller county along the Ohio River. The Probate Court staff handles a range of duties beyond marriage licenses, including juvenile cases, estate matters, and guardianships.
The fax number for the court is (740) 992-6727 if you need to send forms that way. Because the office is small, wait times are usually short. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, but calling (740) 992-3096 first is a good idea so the staff can have forms ready when you get there. The courthouse is in Pomeroy, right in the center of town.
Documents You Need
Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license or passport is best. You also need proof of your Social Security number. The court keeps that number on file but removes it from public records per ORC 3101.051. No one who looks up your marriage record will see it.
If you have been married before, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or dissolution is required. You must provide the case number, the date it was finalized, and the court that issued it. If a former spouse died, bring the death certificate. The court needs all of this to make sure there are no legal problems. Filing false information on a marriage license application is a crime under ORC 2921.13, so be thorough and honest.
Note: The fee is subject to change. Call (740) 992-3096 to confirm the current cost before you visit.
Fees and Timing
The marriage license fee in Meigs County is $70. Cash is the preferred payment method. Ohio has no waiting period for marriage licenses. That changed in 2001 when the old five-day wait was removed. You can get married the same day you pick up the license if you want.
Under ORC 3101.07, the license is good for 60 days. The expiration date appears on the license in large print. If you do not have the ceremony within those 60 days, the license expires and you must file a new application. There are no extensions. Certified copies of past marriage records carry a separate fee, and you can request them in person or by mail.
Who May Officiate
ORC 3101.08 lists the people who can perform a wedding in Ohio. That includes ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Secretary of State, judges of county or municipal courts, probate judges per ORC 2101.27, and mayors. The superintendent of the Ohio School for the Deaf and Blind is also on the list. Religious groups may conduct ceremonies that follow their own rules and traditions.
After the wedding, the person who performed it has 30 days to file the marriage certificate with the Meigs County Probate Court. ORC 3101.13 sets that deadline. Missing it is a minor misdemeanor. The court hands out a pre-addressed envelope with every license to make returns easy.
Accessing Meigs County Records
Marriage records in Meigs County are public. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to request and view them. The court must provide copies at a reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are removed from all public versions of the record.
The Meigs County Clerk of Courts also maintains records that may be useful for broader legal searches. The screenshot below shows the Clerk of Courts legal division page, which includes e-filing and online search tools.
For older marriage records, the Ohio Department of Health has a statewide index starting from September 7, 1949. This is a good tool if you are not sure which county issued the license. The Ohio History Connection may hold archived Meigs County records for genealogical research. Early records from this area can be sparse, but later ones tend to be much more detailed.
Note: Meigs County sits along the Ohio River. If you can not find a record here, check neighboring West Virginia counties where some early residents may have married.
Certified Copies
To get a certified copy of a Meigs County marriage record, contact the Probate Court at (740) 992-3096. You can visit in person or send a mail request. Include the full names of both parties and the approximate marriage date. The court will let you know the copy fee when you call. Mail requests may take a week or two to process, depending on how busy the office is.
The Ohio Legal Help website can point you to the right court office and give you an idea of what to expect. It is a free resource that covers all 88 Ohio counties and is kept up to date by legal aid groups across the state.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.