Wood County Marriage License

Wood County marriage license records are managed by the Probate Court in Bowling Green. The court handles new applications and copies of older records.

Wood County Probate Court

The Wood County Probate Court is at 1 Courthouse Sq., Floor 2, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Phone: (419) 354-9230. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The courthouse is centrally located in Bowling Green and easy to reach from most parts of the county.

Both people must appear at the courthouse together. You will fill out the application under oath, providing all the information that ORC 3101.05 requires. That includes names, ages, residences, birthplaces, occupations, parents' names, and who will officiate. The clerk guides you through each step. If you have everything with you, the process usually takes less than half an hour.

Here is a screenshot of the Wood County government website where you can find probate court details.

The university presence in Bowling Green means the court sometimes sees a higher volume of applications in spring and summer months. Plan accordingly if you are visiting during those busy seasons.

Requirements for a License

Each person needs a government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, and military IDs are all accepted. Your Social Security number goes on the application, but it is protected from public view under ORC 3101.051. The court strips it out before anyone else can see the record.

If you have been married before, you need to bring a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree. The application will ask for the names of prior spouses, names and ages of minor children, and the jurisdiction, date, and case number of the divorce. Providing false information is a crime. ORC 2921.13 treats it as falsification. Both applicants need to be at least 18. Someone who is 17 must have juvenile court consent under ORC 3101.04, and the other person cannot be more than four years older.

Cost and License Duration

Wood County's marriage license fee is around $50. Call (419) 354-9230 to confirm the exact amount and which payment forms are accepted. Some Ohio probate courts take only cash or money orders, so it is best to ask before you go.

The license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued. That rule comes from ORC 3101.07. If the wedding does not take place before the 60 days run out, the license is void and you start over with a new application and new fee. Ohio removed its waiting period in 2001, so there is no delay between getting the license and having the ceremony. At least one applicant must live in the county. Out-of-state couples can get a license here, but the wedding must happen in Wood County.

Copies of Marriage Records

Wood County keeps marriage records from 1820 forward. You can get certified copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. For mail requests, write to 1 Courthouse Sq., Floor 2, Bowling Green, OH 43402 with the names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and your payment. Marriage records are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can request them. Social Security numbers are stripped out before release.

The Ohio Department of Health has a statewide marriage index going back to September 7, 1949. This covers every county and is useful when you know a marriage happened in Ohio but not where. Certified copies always come from the county probate court, not the state. For research before 1949, there is no statewide index and you search county records directly.

The Ohio History Connection holds marriage records from many Ohio counties and is a good resource for genealogists. Records before 1899 typically do not include parents' names. The FamilySearch database covers Ohio marriages from 1789 to 2013 and is free to use with an account.

Ceremony Officiants

Once you have your Wood County marriage license, any person authorized by ORC 3101.08 can perform the ceremony. That list includes ordained ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, county and municipal court judges, probate judges, mayors, and religious societies. The Wood County probate judge can also perform ceremonies under ORC 2101.27, with the fee going to the county treasury.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Wood County Probate Court within 30 days. That is required by ORC 3101.13. A pre-addressed envelope is included with the license. Late filing is a minor misdemeanor with a $50 fine.

Help and Resources

Ohio Legal Help offers a county directory with probate court contacts and self-help information on marriage and family law topics. The Ohio Supreme Court website has standardized probate forms and links to local court rules. If you need help understanding your rights or fixing an error on a marriage certificate, these resources are a good starting point before hiring an attorney.

If there is an error on your Wood County marriage certificate, ORC 3101.15 provides a process for correction. When both parties are deceased or unable to file, another person can submit an application with an affidavit. The court sets a hearing and can order the correction if satisfied with the facts. For minor clerical errors, the court staff may be able to handle the fix without a formal hearing.

Nearby Counties

Browse marriage license records in neighboring Ohio counties.