Find Marriage Records in Highland County
Highland County marriage records are managed by the Probate Court in Hillsboro. The county was formed in 1805 from Ross, Adams, and Clinton Counties, and the Probate Court has kept marriage records since that time. Highland County is part of the Ohio History Connection's collection of counties with available marriage records at the state archives. For a new license or to search for an existing marriage record, the Probate Court at 105 North High Street in Hillsboro is the place to go.
Highland County Overview
Highland County Probate Court Marriage Licenses
The Highland County Probate Court at 105 North High Street in Hillsboro issues all marriage licenses for the county. Under ORC Chapter 3101, the Probate Court is the sole office with the authority to grant a marriage license in Highland County. Ohio residents apply in their county of residence. Non-residents who want to marry here apply at the Hillsboro courthouse.
Both parties must show up in person to apply. There is no waiting period. Once the application is approved, you can marry that same day. The license is valid for 60 days. If either party was previously married, a file-stamped copy of the divorce decree or dissolution order is required.
Highland County was formed on May 1, 1805. Marriage records at the Probate Court go back to the county's formation. One thing to keep in mind: Highland County marriage records before 1899 generally do not list the names of the couple's parents. This can make genealogy research more challenging for earlier records.
| Court | Highland County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
105 North High Street Hillsboro, OH 45133 |
| Phone | (937) 393-9981 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
How to Search Highland County Marriage Records
To find Highland County marriage records, contact the Probate Court in Hillsboro. The court can look up records by name and date. Under ORC 149.43, marriage records are public records in Ohio. Anyone can request copies. You do not need to provide a reason.
The Ohio History Connection lists Highland County among the counties with marriage record collections at the state archives. You can submit a research request to the Archives and Library in Columbus or visit in person. This is a useful option for older records or when you want to cross-reference with other county records held at the state level.
FamilySearch has digitized many Ohio county marriage records. Their Ohio County Marriages collection spans 1789 to 2013 and is free to use after creating an account. You can search by county and view original record images. The Ohio Secretary of State Probate Courts Directory has contact details for all 88 Ohio probate courts if you need to check a neighboring county.
Note: Highland County marriage records before 1899 typically do not include parents' names, so plan accordingly for genealogy research.
Highland County Marriage Record Fees
Marriage license fees in Highland County are in line with other Ohio counties, typically $40 to $65. Call (937) 393-9981 for the exact fee. Payment is required at the time of application.
Certified copies of Highland County marriage records are available for a small per-page fee from the Probate Court. You can get copies at the courthouse or by mail. For mail requests, include the full names of both parties, the marriage date, and payment. The court will send the certified copy back to you.
Highland County Marriage Records for Genealogy
Highland County has over 200 years of marriage records. The Probate Court in Hillsboro holds the originals. The Ohio History Connection has copies at the state level. These records are valuable for tracing family lines in south-central Ohio.
Besides marriage records, the Highland County courthouse has birth and death records from 1867 to 1908, court records from 1805, and probate records from the same era. The Clerk of Courts maintains divorce records. Census records start in 1820. The DataOhio portal publishes statewide marriage statistics by county. The Ohio Genealogical Society can connect you with local researchers who specialize in Highland County.
Highland County Marriage Records Resources
The Ohio History Connection includes Highland County in their list of counties with available marriage record series.
The state archives list Highland County among the 38 Ohio counties with marriage records available for research and copy requests at the Archives and Library.
The Ohio Department of Health manages vital statistics statewide but confirms that marriage records must be obtained from the county Probate Court.
The state health department page explains how to order vital records in Ohio. For marriage records, they direct you to the local county Probate Court.
Nearby Counties
Counties surrounding Highland County in south-central Ohio. Verify the issuing county before searching.