Miami County Marriage License
Miami County marriage license records are on file at the Probate Court in Troy. This office handles new applications, manages record returns from officiants, and issues certified copies of past marriage records.
Miami County Overview
Miami County Probate Court Details
The Miami County Probate Court is at 201 W. Main Street, Floor 2, Troy, Ohio 45373. The phone number is 937-440-6050. Judge Scott Altenburger oversees the court, with Chief Magistrate Katherine Severt also on staff. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. Note the later start on Fridays.
Both applicants must appear in person. That is the law under ORC 3101.05. One person must live in Miami County. If both live out of state, you can apply here, but the ceremony must happen in Miami County. The court asks each person to state under oath their name, age, birthplace, residence, occupation, and parents' names.
Note: Friday hours start at 8:30 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. Plan your visit around this if you are coming in at the end of the week.
Required Documents
Each person must bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport all work. You need your Social Security number too. The court collects it but strips it from any public version of the marriage record under ORC 3101.051. Nobody who requests a copy of your marriage record will see that number.
Previously married? Bring a certified copy of your most recent divorce decree. The court wants to see the final judgment with the case number, the date, and the jurisdiction. A certified death certificate is needed if a former spouse died. False information on the application is a crime under ORC 2921.13. Be accurate with every detail you provide.
License Fees in Miami County
The base license fee is $50. If you add $5 more, the court will prepay two certified copies of your marriage certificate. That brings the total to $55, which is a good deal since you will probably want at least a couple of copies for name changes or other legal needs. Additional certified copies cost $2.00 each after that. The court takes cash, debit cards, and credit cards.
Ohio has no waiting period. You can use the license right away. The five-day wait was eliminated in 2001. Your license stays valid for 60 days per ORC 3101.07. The date it expires is printed on the license. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, you need a new license and a new fee.
After the Ceremony
This is important. The marriage license return must be filed with the Probate Court after the ceremony. The return proves the marriage was performed. Your marriage is only official once the court gets this document back. The officiant can submit the return by mail or in person.
Since you prepaid for two certified copies with your license fee, the court will issue those copies once the return is received. You do not need to do anything extra. The copies show up after the paperwork is filed. Under ORC 3101.13, the officiant has 30 days to get the certificate back to the court. Missing that deadline is a minor misdemeanor that carries a $50 fine.
Note: Do not forget to remind your officiant about the 30-day filing deadline. It is their job, but a quick reminder helps.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
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 under ORC 2101.27, and mayors. Religious societies may also perform ceremonies in line with their own traditions.
The Miami County Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies itself. If you want a courthouse ceremony, contact the Miami County Municipal Court instead. They may be able to help you set something up with a judge or magistrate. All officiants must be on file with the Secretary of State before they can legally perform a wedding in Ohio.
You must be at least 18 to get a license in Miami County. A 17-year-old may apply with Juvenile Court consent, but there is a 14-day wait in that case. The other person can not be more than four years older. Nobody under 17 can marry in Ohio. No blood test is needed, and no witnesses are required at the time of the application. These rules come from ORC 3101.01 and ORC 3101.02. The process is the same for same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Records and Copies
Marriage records in Miami County are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can ask to see them. The court removes Social Security numbers before releasing records. The Miami County Probate Court website has a page that covers the marriage license process in detail. Below is a screenshot of their marriage license information page.
For older records, the Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index going back to September 7, 1949. The Ohio History Connection may hold some earlier Miami County records. The Wright State University Libraries Special Collections also have holdings for nearby counties. If you need certified copies for legal use, they must come from the Miami County Probate Court directly.
Certified copies are useful for name changes, passport applications, insurance claims, and other legal needs. The court charges $2.00 per copy after the first two that come with the license fee. You can request copies by mail or in person at 201 W. Main Street, Floor 2, Troy, Ohio 45373. Include the names of both spouses and the date of the marriage when you make a request.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.