Union County Marriage Records
Union County marriage records are stored at the Probate Court in Marysville. The court has kept marriage filings since the county was created in 1820 from parts of Delaware, Franklin, Logan, and Madison counties. Whether you need a certified copy of a marriage license or want to trace family records, the Union County Probate Court is where you go. Records are public under Ohio law. The courthouse on South Main Street handles requests during regular business hours, and the staff can help with in-person, mail, and phone inquiries.
Union County Overview
Union County Probate Court
The Probate Court in Marysville is the only office that handles marriage records in Union County. The court issues licenses, records returns from officiants after ceremonies, and stores the original documents. Union County was formed in 1820, and the Probate Court has marriage filings going back to that year. Marysville has been the county seat from the start.
The court also handles estates, guardianships, wills, and adoptions. Marriage licenses are a regular part of the workload. If you need any kind of marriage record from Union County, this is the right office. The Ohio History Connection does not have indexed records for Union County, so the Probate Court in Marysville is your primary source for marriage filings in this county.
Union County sits just northwest of Columbus. Its location near the state capital makes it easy for researchers who are also checking records at the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio History Connection archives in Columbus.
| Court | Union County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 128 S. Main Street, Ste. 109, Marysville, OH 43040 |
| Phone | (937) 645-3029 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
Finding Union County Marriage Records
To request a Union County marriage record, bring the names of both parties to the Probate Court in Marysville. The date of the marriage speeds up the search. Walk-in visitors can often get copies the same day. Certified copies cost about $2 to $3 each. Bring cash or a check.
You can also request records by mail. Send a letter to the Union County Probate Court at 128 S. Main Street, Ste. 109, Marysville, OH 43040. Include the full names of both parties, the marriage date, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The court processes mail requests within a few business days.
Ohio's public records law under ORC Section 149.43 makes all Union County marriage records available to anyone. You do not need a reason. The court cannot deny access or overcharge for copies.
Note: Union County marriage records from 1820 to present are kept at the Probate Court in Marysville.
Union County Marriage License Applications
Both applicants must appear in person at the Probate Court in Marysville. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license. If either person has been married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. The court will not issue a new license without this documentation.
License fees in Union County run about $50 to $65. Call (937) 645-3029 for the exact amount. Under ORC Chapter 3101, Ohio has no waiting period. You can use the license the same day it is issued. It stays valid for 60 days and works for a ceremony anywhere in the state.
After the wedding, the officiant sends the signed license back to the Probate Court. The court records the marriage once the return is filed. Certified copies become available after the return is processed.
What Union County Marriage Records Show
A Union County marriage record includes the legal names of both parties, ages, addresses, and the date the license was issued. After the wedding, the officiant's return adds the ceremony date and location. These form the complete marriage record.
Records from the 1800s are more limited. Before 1899, Ohio did not require parent names on marriage applications. Early Union County records may show only names, a date, and the officiant. For genealogy research, you may need to combine county records with other sources to get a fuller picture of family connections.
The Ohio History Connection guide notes that Union County does not have indexed marriage records in their archive.
For Union County marriage records, the Probate Court in Marysville is the best and primary source.
Genealogy and Union County Marriage Records
Union County has marriage records from 1820. The Ohio History Connection does not have indexed records for this county, so the Probate Court is the main source. FamilySearch has a free Ohio County Marriages collection covering 1789 to 2016. Ancestry's Ohio Marriage Index covers 1970 to 2007.
The Ohio Genealogical Society publishes early Ohio marriage indexes and has a research library in Bellville. The Ohio Department of Health has statewide marriage records from 1950 forward. The Ohio Secretary of State directory lists contact details for all 88 Probate Courts across Ohio.
Public Access to Union County Marriage Records
All marriage records at the Union County Probate Court are public. ORC Section 149.43 guarantees this right. The court must make records available for inspection and copying. No exemptions apply. Copy fees must match the actual cost of duplication.
The court cannot ask why you want a record or deny access based on who you are. Same-day service is typical for walk-in requests. Mail requests take a few extra days for processing and return.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Union County. Each maintains its own marriage records at its own Probate Court.