Find Mahoning County Marriage Records
Mahoning County marriage records are maintained at the Probate Court in Youngstown. The county has kept these records since 1846 when it was formed. You can search for a marriage license, request a certified copy, or apply for a new license at the courthouse on Market Street. The Probate Court's Marriage License Department handles all marriage-related filings. Whether you need a record for legal use, family research, or personal reasons, the Mahoning County Probate Court is where you start.
Mahoning County Overview
Mahoning County Probate Court
The Mahoning County Probate Court handles all marriage records for the county. It is at 120 Market Street, 1st Floor, in Youngstown. The Marriage License Department phone is 330-740-2310. The general courthouse number is 330-740-2104. The court issues marriage licenses, records the returns after ceremonies, and stores original marriage documents going back to 1846.
Each certified copy of a Mahoning County marriage record costs $3.00. You can pay by check or money order. In-person requests are usually handled right away. The clerk takes your information, searches the index, and prints the copy while you wait. Mail requests take 1 to 2 weeks. Send the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a check or money order for $3.00 to the Marriage License Department.
The Marriage License Division is on the 1st Floor of the Mahoning County Courthouse at 120 Market Street in Youngstown. The phone for the Marriage License Division specifically is 330-740-2324. This is the number to call if you have questions about a specific marriage record or the application process.
| Court | Mahoning County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 Market Street, 1st Floor, Youngstown, OH 44503 |
| Phone | 330-740-2310 / Marriage License: 330-740-2324 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
How to Get Mahoning County Marriage Records
You need the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage to request a record. Go to the Probate Court at 120 Market Street in Youngstown during business hours. The clerk will search for your record. If it is on file, you get a certified copy for $3.00.
Mail requests should be sent to: Mahoning County Probate Court, Attn: Marriage License Dept., 120 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503. Include a check or money order for $3.00 payable to the Mahoning County Probate Court. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for processing. Copies are also available from the Youngstown and Struthers public libraries for $3.50 per copy, which can be handy if you do not want to go to the courthouse.
Mahoning County marriage records are public under Ohio Revised Code 149.43. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be related to either spouse. The court cannot ask why you want the record. Divorce records are separate and accessed through the Mahoning County Justice System's CourtView search portal.
Mahoning County Marriage License Process
Both parties must appear together at the Mahoning County Probate Court in Youngstown to get a marriage license. This follows ORC Chapter 3101. Bring valid photo ID. If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate.
The license fee is in the $50 to $65 range. Ohio has no waiting period. The license is good for 60 days once issued. The ceremony can take place anywhere in the state. After the wedding, the officiant has 30 days to return the signed license to the Mahoning County Probate Court. The court records it and the marriage becomes official. You can then order certified copies for $3.00 each.
An important detail about Mahoning County marriage records: parents' names were not required on marriage records until January 1, 1899. Marriage licenses were not required in Ohio until 1945. So if you are researching records before those dates, the amount of information in the file will vary.
Mahoning County Marriage Records Resources
The Mahoning County Probate Court page explains how to request a marriage record, with fees and mailing instructions.
The page lists the $3.00 copy fee, required information, and mailing address for the Mahoning County Marriage License Department.
The Ohio Court Records page for Mahoning County provides additional contact details and record access information.
This resource covers the Probate Court, Clerk of Courts, and other divisions. Divorce records go through the Justice System's CourtView portal, separate from Mahoning County marriage records.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has a genealogy research guide that covers marriage records and other vital records sources.
The library guide explains what information you can expect to find in Mahoning County marriage records from different eras and provides context about the county's record-keeping history.
Older Mahoning County Marriage Records
Mahoning County has marriage records from 1846. The Probate Court in Youngstown holds the originals. The Mahoning Valley Historical Society also has original probate and civil court records from 1846 to 1900, which can be useful for genealogy research.
The Ohio History Connection does not have indexed Mahoning County records at their archives. You need to contact the Probate Court directly for historical records not available elsewhere. The Ohio Genealogical Society may have additional indexes. FamilySearch has free Ohio marriage collections. Ancestry covers 1970 to 2007 statewide.
Birth and death records from 1864 to 1908 are at the Probate Court. After 1908, the Youngstown City Health District handles birth and death records. Marriage records have stayed with the Probate Court from the county's formation to the present.
Public Access to Mahoning County Marriage Records
Mahoning County marriage records are public. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records. The Probate Court must respond promptly. They cannot ask your reason for the request. If access is denied, the court must state why in writing.
The $3.00 per copy fee at the Probate Court is reasonable. The Youngstown and Struthers libraries also provide copies for $3.50 if you prefer that route. Either way, accessing Mahoning County marriage records is straightforward. The staff at the courthouse in Youngstown handles these requests as part of their daily work.
Communities in Mahoning County
Mahoning County includes Youngstown, Boardman, Canfield, Struthers, and other communities. Youngstown is the county seat and the largest city. All marriage records in the county are filed at the Mahoning County Probate Court in Youngstown. No city or village has a separate filing office for marriage licenses. The Probate Court serves the entire county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mahoning County. If you are not sure which county has your marriage record, check the license to see where it was filed. Each county keeps its own records.