Ohio Marriage Records
Ohio marriage records are public documents kept by county Probate Courts across all 88 counties. You can search for marriage licenses, certificates, and related filings online or in person at the courthouse where the license was issued. The state does not keep a central file of marriage records. Each county Probate Court holds its own records going back to when that county was first formed. Some date back to the late 1700s. If you need a certified copy of a marriage license or want to look up when and where a marriage took place in Ohio, you start with the Probate Court in the right county. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of Ohio marriage records from any county in the state.
Ohio Marriage Records Overview
Where to Find Ohio Marriage Records
Marriage records in Ohio live at the county level. The Probate Court in each of the 88 counties is the sole office that issues marriage licenses and keeps those records on file. This has been the case since Ohio became a state in 1803. The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics does not maintain marriage records. That office handles births and deaths but sends all marriage questions back to the county where the event took place. If you call them at 614-466-2531 they can help you figure out which county to contact, but they won't have the actual record.
A statewide index of marriages started in 1950. Before that year, the only place to find a marriage record is at the county Probate Court. Even after 1950, the county court holds the original license and is the one that issues certified copies. You need to know the county where the marriage took place. If you don't know, check census records from around the time of the marriage or contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics for help narrowing it down. The Ohio Secretary of State Probate Courts Directory lists every Probate Court in the state with addresses and phone numbers.
The Ohio History Connection Archives holds marriage records from 38 of the 88 counties. These are mostly older records on microfilm. The Archives is at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211. You can call them at (614) 297-2300 or email reference@ohiohistory.org. For counties not in their collection, you must go straight to the local Probate Court.
Note: Ohio has no statewide marriage records database. Contact the Probate Court in the county where the marriage license was issued to get a certified copy.
How to Search Marriage Records in Ohio
Searching for Ohio marriage records depends on the time period and county. For recent records, most Probate Courts can look up a marriage by the names of both parties and the date. Some counties have online search tools. For older records, you may need to visit the courthouse or check archived collections at the Ohio History Connection.
The DataOhio Portal has marriage and divorce statistical reports from 1990 to the present. This won't give you individual records, but it helps with research and understanding trends. For individual marriage records from 1970 to 2007, the Ancestry Ohio Marriage Index has more than 3 million entries. That index shows names of bride and groom, date, and county. Records from 1971 are not in this index because they were not available from the Ohio Office of Vital Statistics. Once you find a match in the index, you still need to contact the county Probate Court for a certified copy.
FamilySearch has a free collection called Ohio County Marriages, 1789-2016. It has over 4.5 million records but is not complete for all counties and years. You can search it by name or browse by county. The Ohio History Connection ArchivesSpace catalog lets you search for archival collections including marriage records on microfilm from many counties.
To search in person at a Probate Court you need:
- Full names of both parties (maiden names help)
- Date of the marriage or at least the year
- The county where the license was issued
Most courts charge $2 to $3 for a certified copy. Some accept cash only. Call ahead to check what forms of payment the court takes and what hours they keep.
What Ohio Marriage Records Show
Ohio marriage records contain key facts about the people who got married and the event itself. A typical record shows the names of the bride and groom, the date and county of the marriage, and the name of the person who performed the ceremony. Records from after January 1, 1899 also list the parents of both parties. Before that date, parents' names were generally not included under the old law (OL93 p309 sec.6390).
The Ohio History Connection maintains an archives and library guide for locating marriage records across the state.
A marriage record in Ohio may include several documents. The marriage affidavit is filed before the ceremony. The marriage license is the legal permission to marry. The marriage return is filed by the person who performed the ceremony after it takes place. Early nineteenth century records might only show the names of the bride and groom, the officiant, and the date. More recent records from the Probate Court typically include dates of birth, current addresses, places of birth, occupations, parents' names and maiden names, and whether either party was previously married.
Ohio Marriage Records and State Law
Marriage law in Ohio falls under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3101. This chapter covers who can marry, what the license process looks like, and how records are kept. Under ORC 3101.01, both parties must be at least 18 years old. Minors age 17 can marry with consent from a parent, guardian, or Juvenile Court under Sections 3101.02 through 3101.05.
Marriage licenses in Ohio are valid for 60 days from the date they are issued. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, the license expires and the couple must apply again. There is no waiting period in Ohio. Once the Probate Court issues the license, the ceremony can take place right away. The person who performs the ceremony must return the signed license to the Probate Court within 30 days.
The Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 defines what qualifies as a public record in Ohio and how records must be made available.
Marriage records are public records in Ohio. Under ORC 149.43, the Ohio Public Records Act, anyone can request and receive copies of public records. You don't need to give a reason. You don't need to be related to the people on the record. The Probate Court must make the records available promptly upon request. If a court denies your request, they must explain why and cite the legal authority. Courts can charge for copies but cannot charge for the time it takes to search for the record.
How to Get Copies of Ohio Marriage Records
Getting a certified copy of a marriage record in Ohio means going to the Probate Court in the county where the license was issued. Most courts charge $2 per certified copy. Some charge $3. You can visit in person, send a request by mail, or in some counties email the court. Each court has its own process, so call ahead.
The Ohio Department of Health maintains vital statistics for births and deaths but directs all marriage record requests to county Probate Courts.
For in-person requests, bring the full names of both parties as they were before the marriage. You also need the date of the marriage. Most courts can pull the record and make copies while you wait. For records issued before 1991 in some counties, you must have the exact date of marriage for the court to find the record in their system.
Mail requests work too. Send a letter with the names, marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a check or money order made out to the county Probate Court. Some courts accept credit cards by phone for copy fees. The Ohio Department of Health ordering page explains the process for birth and death records and points you to county courts for marriage records.
Marriage Records for Genealogy Research
Ohio marriage records are some of the most useful documents for genealogy work. County Probate Courts have been recording marriages since each county was created. Some go back to the 1780s. Washington County, the oldest, has records from 1788. These early records are among the first vital records kept in Ohio and often predate birth and death records by decades.
The Ohio Genealogical Society maintains indexes and databases for marriage records across the state.
The Ohio Genealogical Society at 703 South Main Street, Bellville, Ohio 44813 has published marriage record indexes for many counties. Their library has reference books like "Ohio Marriages Recorded in County Courts through 1820" and a two-volume set covering 1821 to 1830. Members get access to online databases including marriage, birth, and divorce indexes. Non-members can use the library for $5 per day. Call (419) 886-1903 for details.
FamilySearch has free access to millions of Ohio marriage records. Their Ohio County Marriages collection covers 1789 to 2016 with over 4.5 million records from all 88 counties, though coverage is incomplete for some. Many courthouse records were filmed by the Church of Latter Day Saints and can be viewed on FamilySearch with a free account. You can browse by county or search by name.
The Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705 governs vital statistics and record-keeping in the state.
Keep in mind that there is no statewide index for marriages before 1950. You need to know which county the marriage took place in. If you can't find a record, the couple may have married in a different county, the officiant may have failed to return the license, or records may have been lost to fire or flood. A fire in 1875 destroyed many early Licking County records, for example. The Ohio History Connection recommends checking both the county where the couple lived and nearby counties if your first search comes up empty.
Ohio Marriage Records Online Resources
Several online tools can help you search for Ohio marriage records. Some are free. Others need a subscription. Each one covers a different time period and set of counties.
The Ancestry Ohio Marriage Index covers more than 3 million Ohio marriages from 1970 to 2007.
The DataOhio Portal provides statistical reports on marriages and divorces from 1990 to the present. This is the official state data portal and gives total counts by county and year. It is useful for research but does not show individual records. The data is updated once a year.
The DataOhio Portal publishes annual marriage and divorce statistical reports for the state.
The Ohio History Connection ArchivesSpace catalog lets you search for archival collections held at the state archives. Marriage records on microfilm are available for dozens of counties, with coverage dates that vary. Franklin County records go back to 1803. Montgomery County records on microfilm cover 1803 to 1910. Belmont County has records from 1803 to 1951. The Archives is at 800 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211.
The Ohio History Connection ArchivesSpace public interface lets you browse descriptions of archival collections.
Browse Ohio Marriage Records by County
Each of Ohio's 88 counties has its own Probate Court that issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. Pick a county below to find local contact info, fees, and resources for marriage records in that area.
Marriage Records in Major Ohio Cities
Ohio cities don't keep marriage records at the city level. All marriage filings go through the county Probate Court. Pick a city below to find out which county handles marriage records for that area.