Monroe County Marriage Records
Monroe County marriage records are on file at the Probate Court in Woodsfield. The county was formed in 1813 from parts of Belmont, Washington, and Guernsey counties, and marriage records go back to that year. If you need to look up a marriage license, request a certified copy, or apply for a new license, the Monroe County Probate Court is the office to contact. Woodsfield is the county seat and the location of all marriage record filings for every community in the county.
Monroe County Overview
Monroe County Probate Court
The Monroe County Probate and Juvenile Court handles all marriage records for the county. The court is in Woodsfield at the Monroe County Courthouse. It issues marriage licenses, records returns after ceremonies, and stores original marriage documents from 1813 to the present. The court also handles estates, guardianships, adoptions, and juvenile matters.
Monroe County is one of the smaller counties in Ohio with a population around 13,600. Despite its size, the Probate Court maintains a complete collection of marriage records going back over 200 years. The staff handles marriage license applications and record requests during regular business hours. Call the court for current hours and fees before you visit.
Because Monroe County is rural, many residents may need to travel to Woodsfield for in-person requests. Mail requests are an option. Send a letter with the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Include your return address. The court will mail the certified copy to you.
| Court | Monroe County Probate and Juvenile Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Monroe County Courthouse, Woodsfield, OH 43793 |
| Phone | Contact court for current phone number |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
How to Search Monroe County Marriage Records
To find a marriage record in Monroe County, visit the Probate Court in Woodsfield during business hours. Bring the full names of both spouses and the date of marriage if you have it. The clerk will search the index and pull the record. In-person requests are usually handled quickly in a small county like Monroe.
Mail requests are another way. Write to the Monroe County Probate Court with the names, approximate date, payment for the copy fee, and your return address. The certified copy fee is typically $2 to $3 per page. Under Ohio Revised Code 149.43, marriage records are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to explain why you want it.
If you are unsure whether the marriage took place in Monroe County, contact Ohio Vital Statistics at 614-466-2531. There is no statewide index to Ohio marriage records, so knowing the county is important. Monroe County borders Belmont County to the north and several other counties in southeastern Ohio, so check the license if you are not sure where it was filed.
Getting a Marriage License in Monroe County
Both parties must appear in person at the Monroe County Probate Court in Woodsfield. ORC Chapter 3101 requires this. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If either person was previously married, bring the final divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse.
The license fee is typically between $50 and $65. Ohio has no waiting period. Once issued, the Monroe County marriage license is valid for 60 days. If it expires unused, you need to apply and pay again. The ceremony can take place anywhere in Ohio. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the Probate Court within 30 days. The court records it and the marriage is on file. You can then request certified copies.
Monroe County Marriage Records Resources
The Monroe County Probate and Juvenile Court website provides information about court services including marriage license processing.
The court website has details about how to contact the Monroe County Probate Court for marriage records and other filings.
The Ohio History Connection has indexed marriage records for Monroe County at their Archives and Library in Columbus.
Monroe County is one of 38 Ohio counties with marriage records available for research at the Ohio History Connection. This is a valuable resource for genealogy work on older Monroe County marriage records.
Older Monroe County Marriage Records
Monroe County has marriage records from 1813, making it one of the older collections in eastern Ohio. The Probate Court in Woodsfield holds the originals. The Ohio History Connection has indexed Monroe County records at their Archives in Columbus, so researchers have two places to search.
The Ohio Genealogical Society in Bellville may have additional indexes and research tools for Monroe County. FamilySearch has free Ohio marriage collections online that could include entries from this county. Ancestry's Ohio Marriage Index covers 1970 to 2007 statewide with over 3 million entries. Many public libraries offer free Ancestry access.
Monroe County was formed from Belmont, Washington, and Guernsey counties. If you are researching marriages that happened before 1813 in this area, check the records of those parent counties. Their Probate Courts may have the files you need from before Monroe County existed.
Public Access to Monroe County Marriage Records
Marriage records in Monroe County are public under ORC 149.43. You have the right to inspect and copy them. The Probate Court must respond promptly. They cannot ask your reason for the request. If they deny access, they must explain why in writing.
Monroe County is small, so the Probate Court typically has less foot traffic than courts in larger counties. This can work in your favor. Requests are often handled quickly. The staff knows the collection well and can point you in the right direction if you are doing genealogy research or need a specific marriage record.
Communities in Monroe County
Monroe County includes Woodsfield, Beallsville, Clarington, and other small communities. Woodsfield is the county seat. All marriage records for every community in the county are filed at the Monroe County Probate Court. There is no separate filing office in any town or village. The Probate Court in Woodsfield is the single source for all Monroe County marriage licenses and certificates.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Monroe County. If you are not sure which county has your marriage record, check the license to see where it was filed. Each Ohio county maintains its own records.