Ohio Marriage Records

Marriages in Ohio are legal contracts involving three parties: the groom, the bride, and the State of Ohio. These marriages are governed by Chapter 3101 of the Ohio Revised Code, which outlines specific requirements such as age, consent, obligations, and responsibilities of involved parties. To legally marry in Ohio, the intended couple must obtain a marriage license from a county Probate Court. Both parties will be required to appear in this court in person and provide valid identification. Marriages are typically only allowed between couples at least 18 years old; however, exemptions may be made for 17-year-olds who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Over 100,000 marriage licenses are issued by Ohio Probate Courts every year. These marriage licenses are typically valid for 60 days after they are issued, and the marriage ceremony must occur during this time; otherwise, the couple would need to apply for a new license. After the wedding, the marriage officiant is expected to return the license to the issuing Probate Court for recording within 30 days. Ohio does not have a residency requirement for marriages; as such, out-of-state couples can marry in the state, provided that they apply for a marriage license in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place.

Marriage records in Ohio are generally considered public records and are managed by the county’s Probate Courts through their respective Clerks of Courts.

What are Marriage Records?

Marriage records (sometimes called licenses or certificates) in Ohio refer to official documents that serve as legal proof of marriages in the state. While the terms ‘marriage license’ and ‘marriage certificate’ are often interchangeably used when referring to these records, they are not the same. A marriage license is typically issued before the marriage and authorizes the marriage ceremony, while a marriage certificate is issued after the marriage has been solemnized.

County Probate Courts generate Ohio marriage records, and they typically contain the following information:

The full birth names of the bride and groom
The couple’s birth dates
The date and location of the marriage
The name of the officiating authority

Some Ohio marriage records may also include the couple’s place of residence and birth, their age, witnesses to the marriage, and the names of their parents (records created before 1899 do not typically include the names of the couple’s parents).

Marriage records in Ohio are considered vital records. These records serve various essential purposes, the key one being to provide official recognition and documentation of a couple's union, giving them spousal rights and making them eligible for applicable benefits. Marriage records are also crucial for tracking marriage trends and demographics in Ohio, helping interested parties perform genealogical research, and tracing family histories.

Per Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Codes, Ohio marriage records are considered public, meaning that they can be inspected and copied by any interested member of the public. These records are maintained locally by county Probate Courts and can be accessed by contacting the Clerk of Courts in the county where the marriage ceremony was held.

Marriages in Ohio

Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau suggests that, as of 2022, 33.5% of Ohioans aged 15 and older have never been married (lower than the national average of 34.3%). The majority of married couples in Ohio are White, making up about 64% of the married population. Approximately 12% of married couples are African American, around 4% identify as Hispanic, Asians make up about 2% of the married population, with other races making up the remaining 18%. However, even though thousands of marriages are recorded across the state annually, overall marriage rates have dipped over the past decade, falling to an all-time low of 4.8 per 1,000 residents in 2020 before bouncing back to 5.3 per 1,000 in 2022. Notwithstanding this, the state has also experienced consistently declining divorce rates during this period (minus a brief uptick in 2021), suggesting increased marital stability amongst couples who tie the knot. A breakdown of the state's married population indicates that divorce and separation rates were higher among women.

Ohio offers a typically straightforward process for couples looking to get married in the state. Per Chapter 3101 of the Ohio Revised Code, these couples must first obtain a marriage license from a county Probate Court. Licenses are available to residents and non-residents – Ohio residents can use the license anywhere in the state, while non-residents must use it in the county where it was issued. Marriage license applications may be initiated online, but both applicants must be present to submit the completed form unless a physical disability prevents this, in which case an affidavit from a physician is required. Applicants must submit proof of their age and any other documentation and fees the Probate Court may deem necessary. While blood tests are not typically required when applying for a marriage license in Ohio, the application may be denied if it is discovered that either applicant has a communicable form of syphilis. Marriage licenses may also be refused if either applicant is under the influence of drugs or alcohol when applying.

Ohio marriage licenses are typically issued for couples aged 18 and older. However, a license may be issued for minors aged 17, provided that the age gap between the couple is not more than four years and they have obtained consent from a Juvenile Court (this consent is usually issued under specific conditions, including parental consultation and verification of the minor’s independence). While there is no required waiting period before marriage licenses are issued for couples aged 18 and older, a 14-day waiting period applies to marriages involving 17-year-olds. Ohio marriage licenses are valid for 60 days once issued, and a new license must be obtained if they aren’t used within this period. Under state law, marriage ceremonies must be solemnized by one of the following officiants:

Ordained or licensed ministers
Probate judges
Judges of County or Municipal Courts
Mayors
Superintendents of Ohio state schools for deaf and blind students
Any religious society, in conformity with the rules of its organization (provided that the couple is not legally prohibited from being married)

Couples may get married without witnesses in Ohio. However, the state's marriage law does not make any provisions for online or proxy marriage. Also, marriages between blood relatives closer than second cousins are prohibited.

Once a marriage ceremony has been solemnized, the officiant must return the properly signed marriage certificate to the Probate Court that issued the marriage license within 30 days; failure to do this is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a $50 fine.

Ohio Marriage Certificate

Ohio marriage certificates are vital records that officially document solemnized marriage ceremonies. These certificates are issued after a marriage ceremony has been legally performed, and they are provided by the Probate Court in the county where the marriage license was originally issued. The county’s Clerk of Courts is the record custodian of these documents and is charged with maintaining them and making copies accessible to interested parties, where necessary. Most counties typically mail couples a certified copy of their marriage certificate after their wedding ceremony.

Marriage certificates are public records and can be requested by members of the public. However, these requests must be made at least 30 days after the marriage ceremony in question was performed and must be directed to the specific Probate Court that issued the marriage license. Requesters will also be expected to provide information, such as the couple's names as they appear on the marriage certificate and the year of the marriage ceremony, and pay a fee (determined by the number of copies being requested).

How To Find and Access Ohio Marriage Records

Ohio does not have a centralized database for marriage records; these documents are maintained locally at county Probate Courts, where the Clerk of Courts manages them. Nonetheless, most counties offer several online and offline methods for accessing these marriage records, each with its own procedures and considerations.

Accessing Ohio Marriage Records Online

Searching for Ohio marriage records online is the easiest way to access these records. Most county Probate Courts offer an online database that can be used to perform these searches; these databases typically allow users to search by the names of either spouse and the date of the marriage. These searches usually return information like the names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and the county where the marriage license was issued.

Many Clerks of Court also accept requests for copies of marriage records online or via email. In addition, the Archives & Library of the Ohio History Connection maintains copies of some marriage records and provides an index (of these records). However, this repository is not comprehensive, and certified copies of the marriage records must still be obtained from the county Probate Courts. While most online databases allow users to search for marriage records at no cost, a fee is typically charged to obtain copies of these records, determined by the type of record (uncertified, certified, or exemplified), the number of copies requested, and applicable service charges.

Accessing Ohio Marriage Records Offline

Ohio marriage records can be accessed offline by visiting the county Probate Court where the marriage license was issued. Requesters will typically be required to provide information like the names of the spouses, the approximate date of the marriage, and any additional details that can help narrow down the search. Some counties also provide mail-in and fax options for offline access to marriage records.

Offline searches are usually more effective for older marriage records and comprehensive searches. In addition to the names of the spouses and the date and location of the marriage, an offline search will typically include details like the marriage officiant and witnesses (if any). Fees for offline searches are similar to those for online searches but may include a separate search fee (usually charged for records that are difficult to locate).

It is important to note that county Probate Courts only maintain records of marriage licenses they issued. As such, individuals seeking access to Ohio marriage records are expected to know the county where the marriage license (for the marriage in question) was likely obtained.

References

Counties in Ohio

List of Content

What are Marriage Records?
Marriages in Ohio
1. Ohio Marriage Certificate
How To Find and Access Ohio Marriage Records