Trumbull County Marriage License
Trumbull County marriage license records are kept at the Probate Court in Warren. The court handles all new applications and stores records going back to 1800.
Trumbull County Overview
Trumbull County Probate Court
The Trumbull County Probate Court is at 161 High Street NW, Warren, OH 44481. Phone: (330) 675-2521. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court handles marriage licenses along with estate cases, guardianships, and adoptions. It is the only office in Trumbull County that can issue a marriage license.
Both applicants must come in person. That is not a suggestion. It is a requirement under ORC 3101.05. Each person must appear before the probate court and complete the application under oath. You will provide your name, age, address, birthplace, occupation, father's name, and mother's maiden name. The name of the person who will perform the ceremony is also required.
One of you must live in Trumbull County. If neither person is an Ohio resident, the license can still be issued, but the ceremony must take place in Trumbull County. This residency rule is part of the state statute and applies across all 88 Ohio counties.
Documents and ID
Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Driver's license, state ID card, or passport. You also need proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card works, but so do W-2 forms, tax returns, or pay stubs that show the number. The court collects it for the application, but under ORC 3101.051, it is removed from the record before anyone in the public can see it.
If either applicant has been divorced, bring a certified copy of the most recent final divorce decree. You need the case number, the date, and the name of the court that granted it. A widowed applicant should bring a death certificate for the deceased spouse. Providing false information on the application is considered falsification under ORC 2921.13 and carries criminal penalties.
Note: Trumbull County was formed in 1800. It is one of the older counties in northeast Ohio, and Mahoning County was later carved from it in 1846. If you are researching a pre-1846 marriage in the Mahoning area, check Trumbull County records.
License Fee and Validity
The marriage license fee is around $50. Call (330) 675-2521 to get the exact number and confirm payment methods. Most Ohio probate courts take cash, money orders, and debit or credit cards. Some do not accept personal checks. You pay when you finish the application at the courthouse.
There is no waiting period. Ohio eliminated the five-day wait in 2001. The license is valid as soon as you pay. It stays good for 60 days from the date of issue per ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is printed on the license. If 60 days go by and you have not had the ceremony, the license expires and you need to start over. But you can use the license in any Ohio county, not just Trumbull.
Marriage Ceremony Officiants
Ohio law spells out who can perform a wedding ceremony. Under ORC 3101.08, that list includes ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, and mayors of any Ohio municipality. Religious societies may conduct ceremonies according to their own rules. If you want to verify your officiant's credentials, check with the Secretary of State's office.
The person who performs the ceremony must sign the marriage certificate and file it with the Trumbull County Probate Court within 30 days. ORC 3101.13 requires it. The court gives you a pre-addressed envelope with the license to make filing easy. Missing the 30-day deadline is a minor misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $50.
Trumbull County Marriage Records
Marriage records are public in Ohio. Under ORC 149.43, anyone can request to view or copy public records during regular business hours. The court must provide copies at a reasonable cost. You do not need to prove a relationship to the parties or explain why you want the record. Social Security numbers are always redacted before the record is released.
The Trumbull County government website provides general information about county services and court operations. Below is a screenshot of the county website.
For historical research, Trumbull County marriage records go back to 1800. Early records may be sparse, listing only names and dates. Later records include parents' names, occupations, and birthplaces. The Ohio History Connection notes that Mahoning County was formed from Trumbull and Columbiana in 1846. So if you are looking for a marriage that happened before 1846 in the Youngstown area, the record may be in Trumbull County.
The Ohio Department of Health keeps a statewide marriage index from September 7, 1949, forward. This index covers all 88 counties and helps locate which county holds a specific marriage record. But certified copies must come from the Trumbull County Probate Court.
To request a certified copy, visit the court at 161 High Street NW in Warren or send a written request by mail. Include the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage. The court charges a small fee per copy. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted for name changes, passport applications, and insurance claims. Call (330) 675-2521 to find out the current fee before you make the trip or mail your request.
Cities in Trumbull County
Trumbull County includes the city of Warren, which is the county seat. Warren residents get their marriage licenses at the Probate Court downtown.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.