Guernsey County Marriage Records

Guernsey County marriage records go back to 1810, the year the county was formed from Belmont and Muskingum Counties. The Probate Court in Cambridge keeps all marriage license records and issues new licenses to couples in the county. There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Guernsey County, which means the marriage record collection is largely intact going back over two centuries. Whether you need a new license or want to search for a historic marriage record, the Guernsey County Probate Court in Cambridge is your primary source.

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Guernsey County Probate Court Marriage Licenses

The Guernsey County Probate Court issues all marriage licenses in the county. Under ORC Chapter 3101, the Probate Court is the only office with the legal power to grant a marriage license. Ohio residents should apply in their county of residence. Out-of-state couples who want to marry in Guernsey County can apply at the courthouse in Cambridge.

Both applicants must appear in person to get the license. There is no waiting period. Once approved, you can marry right away. The license is valid for 60 days under Ohio law. If either person had a prior marriage, they will need a file-stamped copy of the divorce decree or dissolution order. The Guernsey County Administration Building is at 801 East Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge.

The county was organized on March 10, 1810. Marriage records have been kept since that time. Probate records began in 1812. Court records also date to 1810. Land records go back even further, to 1802.

Court	Guernsey County Probate Court
Address	801 East Wheeling Avenue Cambridge, OH 43725
Phone	(740) 432-9230
Hours	Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

How to Find Guernsey County Marriage Records

The Guernsey County OHGenWeb marriage records page provides an index of historical marriage records from the county. This volunteer-run site has transcribed entries from the Probate Court's marriage books. Records include names of both parties, the marriage date, the officiating authority, and the record number. Some entries go back to the 1820s and 1830s.

For certified copies of Guernsey County marriage records, contact the Probate Court directly. Under ORC 149.43, these are public records. Anyone can request them. You do not need to be a relative. The court will need the names of the parties and the approximate date of the marriage to locate the record.

The Ohio History Connection has Guernsey County marriage records in their archives. This is one of the 38 Ohio counties with marriage records at the state level. You can request research help or visit in person at their facility in Columbus. FamilySearch also has digitized Ohio county marriage records covering 1789 to 2013, available free with an account.

Guernsey County Marriage Record Costs

Marriage license fees in Guernsey County are set by the Probate Court. Ohio counties typically charge $40 to $65 for a license. Contact the court at (740) 432-9230 for the exact fee. Cash is usually accepted, and some courts take cards.

Certified copies cost a few dollars per page. You can get them at the courthouse or by mail. The DataOhio portal has statewide marriage and divorce statistics if you need county-level data for research rather than individual records. The Clerk of Courts at the same address handles divorce records separately from the Probate Court.

Guernsey County Historical Marriage Records

Guernsey County has an unusually complete set of marriage records because there were no courthouse fires or disasters in the county's history. That means records from 1810 onward are largely intact. Early marriage entries include detailed information such as the names of both parties, the date, the officiating authority (often a justice of the peace), and the filing date.

The OHGenWeb transcriptions show examples like Joshua Hurd and Sarah Piles married on September 5, 1826, and George A. Shultz and Jane Foster married on November 30, 1874. These old records come from the Court of Common Pleas Probate Division Marriage Books. Birth and death records at the Probate Court cover 1867 to 1908. The City-County Health Department has death records from 1908 forward.

The Ohio Genealogical Society can connect researchers with local chapter members who may have additional indexes or transcriptions of Guernsey County marriage records.

Guernsey County Marriage License Requirements

To apply for a marriage license in Guernsey County, both parties must appear at the Probate Court in Cambridge. You need a valid photo ID and your Social Security Number. Applicants must be at least 18. Minors who are 17 can apply with consent from a parent or guardian. No blood test is needed in Ohio.

The license is issued the same day if all paperwork is in order. No waiting period applies. The license is valid for 60 days. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed certificate to the Guernsey County Probate Court. You can then request certified copies for name changes and other legal needs. The Ohio Secretary of State Probate Courts Directory lists contact details for all Ohio probate courts.