Stark County Marriage License Search

Stark County marriage license records are managed by the Probate Court in Canton. An appointment is required to apply, so plan ahead before your visit.

Stark County Probate Court

The Stark County Probate Court is in the Stark County Office Building at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501, Canton, OH 44702. The main phone number is (330) 451-7755 and the records line is (330) 451-7372. Fax is (330) 451-7052. General hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but the Marriage License Department closes at 4:15 PM. That 15-minute difference matters if you are coming in late in the day.

An appointment is required. You can schedule one online through the court's website or by calling. Both applicants must appear together at the appointment. That is the law under ORC 3101.05. Each person fills out the application under oath, providing their name, age, address, birthplace, occupation, father's name, and mother's maiden name.

At least one applicant must be a Stark County resident. If neither person lives in Ohio, both must appear, and the ceremony has to take place in Stark County. Civil ceremonies are available at the courthouse if you prefer to have the probate judge perform the ceremony right there.

Required Documents

Bring valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license, state ID, or passport will work. Birth certificates or other proof of age are also required. You need to show your Social Security number as well, though it will not appear on the public record. ORC 3101.051 requires the court to remove it before making records available to anyone outside of specific authorized groups like child support enforcement or law enforcement.

If either applicant was divorced, bring the certified copy of the most recent divorce decree. It must show the case number, the date, and the court that issued it. Widowed applicants need a death certificate. Lying on the application or leaving out a previous marriage is a crime. ORC 2921.13 treats it as falsification.

Fees and Copies

The marriage license fee varies. Check with the court by calling (330) 451-7755 for the current amount. Certified copies of a marriage license cost $2.00 each. A decorative marriage certificate suitable for framing is $1.00. These are some of the lowest copy fees in Ohio. You can request copies by mail if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order. Include the names of both applicants and the date of the marriage in your request. No cash by mail.

Ohio has no waiting period. Once the application is approved and the fee is paid, the license is active immediately. It stays valid for 60 days from the date of issue under ORC 3101.07. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, you need to reapply and pay again. The license works anywhere in Ohio.

Officiants and Certificate Filing

ORC 3101.08 lists everyone who can officiate a wedding in Ohio. That includes ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors. The Stark County Probate Court offers civil ceremonies at the courthouse, which is a convenient option if you do not have another officiant lined up.

After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to file the signed marriage certificate with the Stark County Probate Court. ORC 3101.13 sets that deadline. A pre-addressed envelope comes with each license. Missing the deadline is a minor misdemeanor with a fine of up to $50. Once the certificate is filed, the marriage is officially on record and certified copies can be ordered.

Stark County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Stark County are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can ask to view or copy them. The court must provide access during regular business hours at a reasonable cost. Social Security numbers are always removed before records are shared with the public.

The Stark County Probate Court website offers information about court services and contact details. Below is a screenshot of the court's main page.

The Ohio Department of Health maintains a statewide marriage index covering all 88 counties from September 1949 forward. This is useful if you are not sure where a marriage took place. The actual certified copies come from Stark County Probate Court, not the state. For older records, the Ohio History Connection may have some archival Stark County materials.

The Stark County Clerk of Courts also handles some court records. The screenshot below shows the Clerk of Courts website.

Keep in mind that marriage licenses specifically go through the Probate Court, not the Clerk of Courts. The Clerk handles civil and criminal case records, which are separate. If you are looking for a marriage record, call the Probate Court at (330) 451-7755 or the records line at (330) 451-7372.

Cities in Stark County

Stark County includes the city of Canton, which is the county seat and largest city. Canton residents apply for marriage licenses at the Stark County Probate Court in the downtown office building.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.