Portage County Marriage License

Portage County marriage license records are handled by the Probate Court in Ravenna. The Marriage License Bureau operates by appointment only, so plan ahead before visiting.

Portage County Probate Court

The Portage County Probate Court is at 203 West Main Street in Ravenna, OH 44266. The main phone number is (330) 297-3870. For the Marriage License Bureau specifically, call (330) 297-3871. The fax number is (330) 297-3894. General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is an important point: the Marriage License Bureau operates by appointment only. You cannot just walk in and apply. Call (330) 297-3871 to set up a time. Both people must come to the appointment together. ORC 3101.05 requires each party to appear in person at the probate court. At least one person must live in Portage County, unless neither is an Ohio resident, in which case the ceremony must take place in the county.

Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license, state ID, or passport is fine. Your Social Security number is needed on the application but will not be on the public record. Under ORC 3101.051, the court strips out Social Security numbers before releasing any marriage record for public viewing.

What the Application Asks

Each applicant must state under oath their name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, and parents' names. The mother's maiden name is needed if known. You also name the person who will perform the wedding. All of this is required by ORC 3101.05.

Previously married applicants need extra paperwork. A certified copy of the final divorce decree is required for each prior marriage. Not just the last one. Every single one. The application must include names of former spouses, any minor children, and the jurisdiction, date, and case number for each divorce. If a prior spouse died, bring the death certificate. Providing false information is falsification under ORC 2921.13, which is a criminal charge. The court takes these requirements seriously, so gather your documents before the appointment.

Fees and License Duration

Call (330) 297-3871 to confirm the current marriage license fee. Most Ohio probate courts charge around $50, though some charge more. Ask about payment methods when you schedule the appointment.

Ohio has no waiting period for marriage licenses. That has been the case since 2001 when the old five-day wait was eliminated. Once the application is approved and the fee is paid, you can get married immediately. The license stays valid for 60 days from the issue date, per ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is on the license. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires. You would need a new application and a new fee to get another one.

Officiants and Filing

Under ORC 3101.08, authorized officiants in Ohio include ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Secretary of State, county court judges, municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors. Religious organizations can also perform ceremonies in keeping with their own traditions. You can verify a minister's license through the Ohio Secretary of State.

The officiant signs the marriage certificate after the ceremony. Then they have 30 days to return it to the Portage County Probate Court. That deadline comes from ORC 3101.13, and missing it is a minor misdemeanor. A pre-addressed envelope is included with the license. The marriage is not on the official record until the signed certificate comes back to the court.

Portage County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Portage County are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can request them during normal business hours. The court must provide copies at reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are always removed first. You do not need to explain your reason for requesting the record.

The Portage County Probate Court is part of the county government system. Below is a view of the Portage County government website with links to court services.

For genealogical research, the Ohio History Connection may have archived Portage County marriage records. The Ohio Department of Health maintains a statewide index from September 7, 1949 onward. That index covers all 88 counties and is useful when you do not know which county the marriage took place in.

Other Portage County Offices

The Portage County Clerk of Courts is also at 203 W Main Street in Ravenna. Jill Fankhauser serves as Clerk of Courts. This office handles divorce records, not marriage licenses. If you need a divorce decree, call the Clerk of Courts at (330) 297-3450. Do not confuse the two offices. Marriage licenses come from the Probate Court. Divorce records come from the Clerk of Courts.

The Portage County Recorder's Office is on the 4th floor of the Portage County Administration Building at 449 S. Meridian St. in Ravenna. Lori Calcei serves as Recorder. The phone number is (330) 297-3553. This office maintains land records, not marriage records. Below is a screenshot of the Portage County government page.

The Ohio Legal Help website can help you figure out which office handles which type of record. Their county directory includes contact information and descriptions of services for Portage County courts and offices.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.