Find Youngstown Marriage Records
Youngstown marriage records are kept at the Mahoning County Probate Court at 120 Market Street on the first floor. Youngstown is the county seat of Mahoning County, so the court is right in the city. The probate court is the only office that issues marriage licenses and stores official marriage records for Youngstown and the entire county. If you need to apply for a license, look up a record, or get a certified copy, this is the place. Marriage records for Mahoning County go back to 1846, when the county was formed from Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Youngstown Overview
Youngstown Marriage License Office
The Mahoning County Probate Court issues all marriage licenses for Youngstown. Both people must show up in person. Bring a valid photo ID and full names of both spouses. You also need to provide the date of marriage if you are requesting a record copy.
Ohio has no waiting period for marriage licenses under ORC Chapter 3101. You can marry the same day the license is issued. The license is good for 60 days. Marriage licenses were not required in Mahoning County until 1945, which is worth knowing if you are looking for very old records. Parents' names were not required on marriage records until January 1, 1899.
| Court | Mahoning County Probate Court - Marriage License Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 Market Street, 1st Floor Youngstown, OH 44503 |
| Phone | (330) 740-2310 (Marriage License Dept.) (330) 740-2324 (Marriage License Division) |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
In-person requests for certified copies are usually done the same day. Mail requests take 1 to 2 weeks. Each certified copy costs $3, payable by check or money order.
Note: You must provide the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage when requesting a copy.
Search Youngstown Marriage Records
The Mahoning County Probate Court maintains marriage records from 1846 to the present. For certified copies, mail your request to: Mahoning County Probate Court, Attn: Marriage License Dept., 120 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503. Include a check or money order for $3 per copy.
You can also get copies at the Youngstown or Struthers public libraries for $3.50 per copy. The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has resources for genealogical research including marriage records. The library holds records from the county's creation in 1846.
Divorce records are accessed through the Mahoning County Justice System's CourtView search portal, not the probate court. Birth and death records for post-1908 are kept at the Youngstown City Health District. Marriage records are public under ORC 149.43, so anyone can request them.
Mahoning County Marriage Records Portal
The Mahoning County website has a page explaining how to request marriage records in Youngstown. You can view the information at the Mahoning County Marriage Records page.
The page covers the process for requesting records, what information you need, fees, and contact details. It is a good first stop before visiting the courthouse or sending a mail request.
The Public Library of Youngstown also maintains genealogical research guides covering Mahoning County marriage records. Below is a view of that resource.
The library's guide explains what types of records are available and how to access them. It covers marriage records, birth and death records, and other resources for family history research in the Mahoning Valley.
Historical Youngstown Marriage Records
Mahoning County was formed in 1846 from Trumbull and Columbiana counties. If you are looking for a marriage record from before 1846 for people who lived in what is now Mahoning County, you will need to check both the Columbiana and Trumbull County probate court records. The Mahoning Valley Historical Society holds original probate and civil court records from 1846 to 1900.
The Ohio History Connection holds microfilm copies of marriage records from many counties. The FamilySearch Ohio Vital Records page has free digitized records. The Ancestry Ohio Marriage Index covers 1970 to 2007 statewide.
Note: Marriage licenses were not required until 1945 in Mahoning County, so earlier records may only show marriage returns filed by the officiant.
Youngstown Wedding Officiant Rules
Ohio law allows several types of people to officiate weddings. Ordained or licensed ministers registered with the Ohio Secretary of State can perform the ceremony. Judges, mayors, and certain other officials can also officiate. The person who performs the ceremony must file the marriage return with the Mahoning County Probate Court within 30 days.
If the return is not filed on time, the marriage is still legal, but the record will not appear in the court's system. Youngstown residents should make sure their officiant files the paperwork promptly. You can check if a minister is registered with the Secretary of State by calling (877) 767-6446 or visiting the Secretary of State website.
Nearby Youngstown Marriage Resources
Canton in Stark County and Akron in Summit County are the closest qualifying cities with their own probate courts. Warren in Trumbull County is also nearby. If you are tracing pre-1846 records, check Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Mahoning County Marriage Records
Youngstown is in Mahoning County. All marriage license applications and records go through the Mahoning County Probate Court. The court serves Youngstown and all other county communities. For a full look at county resources, see the Mahoning County page.