Scioto County Marriage License
Scioto County marriage license records are kept at the Probate Court in Portsmouth. The court handles all new applications and stores records going back to 1803.
Scioto County Overview
Scioto County Probate Court Info
The Scioto County Probate Court is at 602 7th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662-3998. You can call at (740) 355-8306 or send a fax to (740) 353-1095. The court handles marriage licenses along with estate matters, guardianships, and adoptions. It is the sole office in Scioto County where you can apply for or pick up a marriage license.
Both people who want a marriage license have to come in together. That is a state law, not just a local rule. ORC 3101.05 says each party must personally appear in probate court and fill out the application under oath. You will need to provide your name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, father's name, and mother's maiden name. The name of the person who will perform the ceremony is also required on the form.
At least one of you must live in Scioto County. If neither person lives in Ohio, you can still get a license here, but the wedding ceremony must take place in Scioto County. That rule protects against forum shopping and keeps the process tied to a specific jurisdiction.
Note: The court offers free genealogy records search tools online, which can be useful for looking up older Scioto County marriage records.
Documents You Need
Bring a valid photo ID for each applicant. Driver's licenses and passports are the most common forms of identification. A state-issued ID card works too. You also need proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card is ideal, but tax documents or pay stubs that show the number are also accepted. The court is required to collect Social Security numbers under the application statute, but ORC 3101.051 says those numbers must be removed from the record before it is made available to the public.
Anyone who has been divorced must bring a certified copy of their final divorce decree. Not a photocopy. The certified version. Include the case number, the date of the decree, and the name of the court that issued it. If you are widowed, bring the death certificate. Leaving out information about a previous marriage is considered falsification, which is a criminal offense under ORC 2921.13.
Marriage License Cost
The fee is around $50 in Scioto County. Each Ohio probate court sets its own fee, so call (740) 355-8306 to get the exact number before your visit. Most courts accept cash, debit cards, and money orders. Some take credit cards with a small processing surcharge. Personal checks are hit or miss, so ask when you call.
Once you pay, the license is active right away. Ohio got rid of the waiting period in 2001. Your Scioto County marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue under ORC 3101.07. That 60-day window is printed on the license itself. If the ceremony does not happen within that time, the license expires. You would need to reapply and pay again. The license can be used in any Ohio county, not just Scioto.
Who Performs the Ceremony
Ohio law is specific about who can officiate a wedding. 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 of any Ohio municipality. Religious societies can also conduct ceremonies according to their own church rules.
The officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Scioto County Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony. That requirement is in ORC 3101.13. A pre-addressed envelope is provided with each license. Failure to return the certificate on time carries a fine of up to $50.
Accessing Scioto County Records
Marriage records are public documents in Ohio. Under ORC 149.43, anyone can request to view or copy them during regular business hours. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The court must provide copies at a reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are always redacted before the record is shared.
The Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index covering all 88 counties from September 7, 1949, to the present. This index helps if you are not sure which county a marriage was recorded in. But the actual certified copy must come from the Scioto County Probate Court. The state office does not issue certified copies of marriage records.
Scioto County marriage records stretch back to 1803. The Ohio History Connection has records from Scioto County covering 1804 to 1911 in their archives. Early records may only include names and the ceremony date. More detailed records with parents' names and birthplaces show up in later years. For certified copies needed for legal purposes, you must go through the Probate Court.
Note: Scioto County sits on the Kentucky border. Some early marriages may have been recorded in Kentucky counties if the ceremony took place across the river.
Legal Resources
The Ohio Legal Help website offers free guidance on marriage license procedures and can direct you to the right court. The Ohio Supreme Court provides standardized probate forms used by courts across the state. These resources can help you prepare before visiting the Scioto County Probate Court. If you need help with legal questions about marriage requirements or record corrections, consult an attorney or use the Ohio Legal Help hotline for basic guidance.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.