Lancaster Marriage Records
Lancaster marriage records are managed by the Fairfield County Probate Court, located right in Lancaster at the Hall of Justice on East Main Street. As the county seat of Fairfield County, Lancaster is home to the courthouse where all marriage licenses are issued and records are stored. The Probate Court offers both in-person and virtual appointments for marriage license applications, which makes it easier for busy couples to get their paperwork done. If you need a license, want to look up an old record, or need a certified copy, this is the office to contact.
Lancaster Overview
Lancaster Marriage License Process
The Fairfield County Probate Court issues marriage licenses by appointment, both in person and virtually. To apply, you must first complete the online marriage application form on the court's website. Then call the Probate Court at (740) 652-7485 to schedule your appointment. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The court is in the Hall of Justice at 224 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130. Both people must appear at their appointment with valid photo ID. If either applicant was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Under ORC Chapter 3101, both must be at least 18 to marry without parental consent. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
The virtual appointment option is a nice feature that not all Ohio counties offer. It saves a trip to the courthouse for couples who find it hard to take time off work. Check with the court about what technology you need for a virtual appointment.
| Court | Fairfield County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, 3rd Floor Lancaster, OH 43130 |
| Phone | (740) 652-7485 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Note: Lancaster marriage license applications require an appointment; walk-ins are not accepted.
Search Lancaster Marriage Records
The Fairfield County Probate Court website has a probate records search tool, court forms, court rules, and an online fee payment system. You can use the search tool to look up Lancaster marriage records and other probate filings. The court handles marriage licenses, name changes, estates, guardianships, birth registration corrections, and trusts.
Fairfield County's judicial system includes four courts: the Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Court, Juvenile Court, and Probate Court. Only the Probate Court handles marriage licenses. The Ohio Court Records Fairfield County page gives an overview of each court and its functions.
For certified copies of Lancaster marriage records, contact the Probate Court by phone or visit the third floor of the Hall of Justice. Under ORC 149.43, marriage records are public records in Ohio. Anyone can request a copy. The Fairfield County Health Department handles birth and death certificates but does not maintain marriage records. All name change requests also go through the Probate Court.
Fairfield County Marriage Records Tools
The Fairfield County Probate Court has a detailed page about marriage license information and requirements. Visit the Fairfield County Probate Court Marriage License page for all the details.
This page walks through the application process, the online form link, appointment scheduling, and what to bring. It is the most complete resource for Lancaster couples getting ready to apply.
For searching court records online, the Ohio Court Records Fairfield County page provides another way to look up marriage and court records in the county.
This page explains the different courts in Fairfield County and what records each one holds. It is helpful if you are not sure which office to contact for a specific type of record. The Juvenile Court and Probate Court share a phone line at (740) 652-7463 for juvenile matters and (740) 652-7485 for probate matters.
Lancaster Historical Marriage Records
Fairfield County marriage records go back to the county's early days. The Probate Court has maintained these files for generations. For genealogy research, the Ohio History Connection has guides and microfilm copies of Ohio county marriage records. FamilySearch has free digitized records from Ohio counties dating back to 1789.
The Fairfield County Government website also has a county records search tool that may help you locate older documents. The Probate Court is your best bet for any Lancaster marriage record, whether recent or from over a century ago.
Nearby Cities With Marriage Records
Columbus is in Franklin County, about 30 miles northwest. Dublin is also in the Franklin County area. Newark is in Licking County to the northeast. Each city uses its own county probate court for marriage records.
Cincinnati is further south in Hamilton County. Springfield is in Clark County to the west. If you need marriage records from multiple counties, you will have to contact each probate court on its own.
Fairfield County Marriage Records
Lancaster is the county seat of Fairfield County. All marriage licenses and records for the county are filed at the Fairfield County Probate Court in Lancaster. The court serves Lancaster and every other community in the county. For more county information, visit the Fairfield County page.