Parma Marriage Records
Parma marriage records are handled by the Cuyahoga County Probate Court in downtown Cleveland. Since Parma is part of Cuyahoga County, all marriage license applications and record requests go through the county probate court at 1 Lakeside Avenue West. The court has an online marriage license index that goes back to 1810 and a microfilm room for in-person research. If you need a marriage license, want to find an old record, or plan to order a certified copy, the Cuyahoga County Probate Court is the right place to start. The court serves Parma and all other Cuyahoga County cities.
Parma Overview
Parma Marriage License Process
Parma residents get marriage licenses at the Cuyahoga County Probate Court in Cleveland. Both people must appear together in person. You need a valid ID like a driver's license or passport. Bring your dates of birth and full legal names.
Ohio law requires both applicants to be at least 18 or have parental consent if younger under ORC Chapter 3101. Neither person can be currently married. There is no waiting period, so you can marry the same day you get the license. The license is valid for 60 days after it is issued. If you need to prove a past marriage ended, bring the divorce decree or death certificate.
| Court | Cuyahoga County Probate Court - Marriage License Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Lakeside Avenue West Cleveland, OH 44113 |
| Phone | (216) 443-8921 (Marriage License) (216) 443-8920 (Recorded Info) |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
The Marriage License Bureau is on the first floor in Room 146. Parma residents will need to drive to the Cleveland courthouse since there is no satellite office in Parma for marriage licenses. Plan for about a 20-minute drive depending on traffic.
Find Parma Marriage Records Online
The Cuyahoga County Historical Marriage Index provides online access to marriage records from 1810 to the present. You can search by name to find records for Parma residents who married in Cuyahoga County. The index is also available as a microfilm database at the courthouse.
All probate court research at the courthouse should begin in Room 31, the Microfilm Room in the basement. The microfilm room can be reached at (216) 443-8935. The Marriage Records Microfilm Index covers 1810 to the present. Common Pleas Court research starts in Room 37. These are separate departments with different records.
The Cuyahoga County Public Records Portal is another tool for searching Parma marriage records. Marriage records are maintained by the Probate Court Marriage License Department. Divorce records go through the Domestic Relations Court, which is a separate office. Marriage records are public under ORC 149.43.
Cuyahoga County Marriage Records Portal
The Cuyahoga County Probate Court provides a dedicated page for Parma and other county residents to learn about the marriage license process. You can view the portal at the Cuyahoga County Probate Court website.
This page covers the court's responsibilities including estate settlement, will validation, guardianships, adoption, marriage licensing, and mental health orders. It is the starting point for all probate-related services.
The Cuyahoga County Public Records portal provides additional search tools for court records. Below is a view of that system.
This portal covers marriage records, court records, and other public documents for Cuyahoga County. Records from 1810 are available through the probate court system.
Historical Parma Marriage Records
Cuyahoga County was formed from Geauga County in 1808 and organized in 1810. Marriage records start from 1810. The Cuyahoga County Archives at 3951 Perkins Avenue in Cleveland holds original marriage files and indexes from 1810 to 1941. These are also available on microfilm at the Cleveland Public Library Microform Center.
The Ohio History Connection and FamilySearch both have digitized Cuyahoga County marriage records. FamilySearch is free with registration. The Ancestry Ohio Marriage Index covers 1970 to 2007 with more than 3 million records statewide.
Note: There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Cuyahoga County, so records are relatively complete from the county's creation.
Who Can Perform a Wedding in Parma
Ohio law allows several types of people to officiate a wedding ceremony. Ordained or licensed ministers who are registered with the Ohio Secretary of State can perform marriages. Judges, mayors, and the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf can also officiate. You can check if a minister is registered by visiting the Secretary of State's website or calling (877) 767-6446.
The person who performs the ceremony must file the marriage return with the Cuyahoga County Probate Court within 30 days. If the return is not filed, the marriage is still legal, but the record may not appear in court searches right away. Parma residents should make sure their officiant understands this requirement.
Nearby Cities Marriage Records
Cleveland, Lakewood, Euclid, and Strongsville are also in Cuyahoga County and use the same probate court. If your marriage took place in any of these cities, the record is at the Cuyahoga County Probate Court in Cleveland.
Cuyahoga County Marriage Records
Parma is in Cuyahoga County. All marriage license applications and records go through the Cuyahoga County Probate Court in Cleveland. The court serves Parma, Cleveland, Lakewood, and all other county communities. For more on county resources, see the Cuyahoga County page.