Find Adams County Marriage Records

Adams County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in West Union. The court has kept these records since the county was formed in 1797, making it one of the oldest record collections in the state. You can search for a marriage license or get a certified copy by going to the courthouse or sending a written request. The Probate Court handles all marriage license applications and stores the original documents. If you need to find a marriage record in Adams County, the court staff can help you look up cases by name or date.

Adams County Probate Court

The Probate Court is the office in Adams County that handles marriage records. It is located in West Union at the county courthouse. The Probate Judge oversees the office and the clerk staff runs the day-to-day work. They issue marriage licenses, record the returns after ceremonies, and store the original documents. This has been the case since 1797.

If you want a marriage record from Adams County, this is the office you contact. The court is open during regular business hours. You can walk in, call, or send a letter. The staff deals with marriage record requests every day and can tell you what they need to find your record. The Adams County Probate Court also handles wills, estates, guardianships, and name changes, but marriage licenses are a big part of what they do.

How to Get Adams County Marriage Records

Getting a marriage record from Adams County starts with a trip to the Probate Court in West Union or a written request by mail. The court needs the full legal names of both spouses as they appeared at the time of the marriage. Having the date helps too, especially for older records. The court staff will search their index and pull the file.

In-person requests are usually handled right away. You walk in, tell the clerk what you need, and they look it up. If the record is on file, you can get a copy in minutes. Mail requests take longer. You send a letter with the names, date, and your return address. Include a check or money order for the copy fee. The court mails your copy back once they find the record. Under Ohio Revised Code 149.43, marriage records are public. You do not need to be a party to the marriage to request a copy.

Certified copies from the Adams County Probate Court typically cost $2 to $3 per page. Plain copies may cost less. These fees can change, so call ahead or check the court website before you go. The court accepts cash, checks, and sometimes credit cards for in-person payments.

Adams County Marriage License Process

Getting a marriage license in Adams County follows Ohio law under ORC Chapter 3101. Both parties must appear in person at the Probate Court in West Union. You need valid photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate.

The license costs around $50 to $65 depending on the county fee schedule. There is no waiting period in Ohio. Once you get the license, it is good for 60 days. If you don't use it within 60 days, it expires and you have to apply again. The ceremony can happen anywhere in Ohio. It does not have to be in Adams County.

After the wedding, the officiant has 30 days to return the signed license to the Adams County Probate Court. The court records it and the marriage is officially on file. You can then request certified copies of the marriage record from the Probate Court.

Note: Both parties must appear together at the Probate Court to apply for a marriage license in Adams County.

What Adams County Marriage Records Show

A marriage record from Adams County contains the names of both parties, their ages, and where they lived at the time of the marriage. It shows the date the license was issued and the date the ceremony took place. The name of the person who performed the marriage is also listed. Records after 1899 usually include the names of each party's parents.

Older records from before 1899 may only show the names of the bride and groom, the date, and who officiated. Under Ohio law at the time, parent names were not required on the form. This can make genealogy research tricky for early Adams County marriages. If the record you need is from before that date, you may find less detail than you expect.

The marriage file may also include a marriage affidavit, a consent form if one party was a minor, and a marriage return filed by the officiant after the ceremony. These separate documents are all part of the Adams County marriage record. Certified copies include all pages in the file unless you ask for a specific document.

The Ohio History Connection guide provides additional context about marriage filings in Adams County.

Adams County marriage records at the Ohio History Connection.

Searching Older Adams County Marriage Records

Adams County has kept marriage records since 1797. These early records are valuable for genealogy research. The county Probate Court is the original source, but several other places have copies or indexes that can help you search.

The Ohio History Connection in Columbus has marriage records from 38 of Ohio's 88 counties on microfilm. Their Archives and Library at 800 E. 17th Avenue in Columbus is open to researchers. Check their online catalog to see if Adams County records are in their collection. The Ohio Genealogical Society in Bellville also has marriage indexes and can help with research.

FamilySearch has a free collection called Ohio County Marriages, 1789-2016 that includes Adams County records. You need to create an account to use it, but there is no charge. Ancestry's Ohio Marriage Index covers 1970 to 2007 and has over 3 million entries. This one requires a subscription, though many public libraries offer free access to Ancestry.

Public Records Law and Adams County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Adams County are public records. Ohio's public records law, ORC Section 149.43, gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not need to state a reason for your request. The Probate Court cannot ask why you want the record or refuse based on your identity.

The court must respond to your request promptly. If they cannot find the record, they should tell you. If they deny your request, they must give you a legal reason in writing. In practice, marriage record requests in Adams County are straightforward. The staff is used to handling them. Most people get their copies without any issues.

Communities in Adams County

Adams County includes West Union and several smaller towns. All communities in the county file marriage records at the Adams County Probate Court. There is no separate office for any city or village. The Probate Court in West Union is the sole source for all marriage licenses and certificates in Adams County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Adams County. If you are not sure which county handles your marriage record, check the address where the license was filed. Each Ohio county keeps its own records at its own Probate Court.