Tuscarawas County Marriage License Records
Tuscarawas County marriage license records are maintained at the Probate Court in New Philadelphia. Applications require an appointment and documents must be submitted at least two weeks before the wedding.
Tuscarawas County Overview
Tuscarawas County Probate Court
The Tuscarawas County Probate Court is at 101 East High Avenue, Room 203, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. The phone number is (330) 365-3244 and the court offices line is (330) 365-3266. Fax: (330) 364-3190. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Marriage license appointments are by appointment only, between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
This court works differently than most. You must submit your application, fee, and all documents at least two weeks before your wedding date. The marriage license clerk reviews everything and then calls you to schedule an appointment. Only the two applicants are allowed at the appointment. No friends, no family, no children. Both people must appear in person as required by ORC 3101.05.
Ohio residents need at least one applicant to be a Tuscarawas County resident. Out-of-state couples can get a license here, but the ceremony must take place in Tuscarawas County. That is the rule under state law.
Note: The two-week advance submission requirement is unique to Tuscarawas County. Most Ohio counties let you walk in and apply the same day. Plan ahead if you are getting married here.
Documents You Need
Each applicant needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You need to provide your Social Security number, but it will not appear on the public marriage record. ORC 3101.051 requires the court to strip Social Security numbers from records before making them available to the public.
If you have been divorced, bring a certified copy of your most recent final divorce decree showing the case number, the date, and the jurisdiction. If your former spouse died, a death certificate is needed instead. Anyone age 17 must go through a juvenile court hearing with testimony, and premarital counseling is required for minor applicants. Generally, no licenses are issued to anyone under 18 in Tuscarawas County.
Submit all documents with your application and the fee before the appointment. The clerk will review everything before calling you to set a date. If anything is missing or incomplete, it will delay the process.
Fees and Payment
The application fee in Tuscarawas County is $70.00. That is higher than many other Ohio counties. The fee is non-refundable. If your application is not approved or you decide not to use the license, you do not get the money back. The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Cards come with an extra processing fee on top of the $70.
Ohio has no waiting period. Once everything is approved and the fee is paid, the license is active. It stays valid for 60 days under ORC 3101.07. The expiration date is on the license. If you do not have the ceremony within that window, the license expires and you have to start the process over. Because of the two-week advance requirement, make sure you time everything right so the 60 days covers your actual wedding date.
Officiants for the Ceremony
Who can perform the wedding? ORC 3101.08 has the complete list. It includes 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 city in Ohio. Religious societies can also perform ceremonies under their own church rules.
After the ceremony, the officiant must file the signed marriage certificate with the Tuscarawas County Probate Court within 30 days. That is the rule under ORC 3101.13. A pre-addressed envelope is included with each license. Failing to file on time is a minor misdemeanor with a possible $50 fine. Once the certificate is on file, certified copies can be ordered from the court.
Tuscarawas County Record Access
Marriage records are public records in Ohio. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to inspect or copy these records during regular business hours. The Tuscarawas County Probate Court charges a fee for certified copies. Certified copies cost $3 each. You can visit in person or send a mail request to 101 East High Avenue, Room 203, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Tuscarawas County has historical marriage records from 1808 to 1917. The index covers 1808 to 1899. Original records are preserved on microfilm at the courthouse, which is helpful for researchers working with fragile old documents. The Ohio History Connection may also hold some Tuscarawas County records in their archives.
The Ohio Department of Health has a statewide marriage index from September 1949 onward. It covers all 88 Ohio counties. That index can help you identify which county holds a record if you are not sure. Certified copies must still come from the Tuscarawas County Probate Court. The state office does not issue them.
Note: Historical marriage records from 1808 to 1917 are on microfilm at the courthouse. Contact the Probate Court for access to these older records.
Legal Help and Resources
The Ohio Legal Help website has a probate court directory with details for all 88 counties. It includes Tuscarawas County court hours, contact information, and helpful guidance. The Ohio Supreme Court offers standardized probate forms and court rules that apply statewide. These resources can help you prepare before contacting the court. For more complex legal questions about marriage requirements or correcting a certificate, a local attorney can provide specific advice.
Nearby Counties
Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.