Marriage License

The Hamilton County Probate Court is authorized to issue marriage licenses to Hamilton County residents who wish to marry in Ohio and to out of state residents who plan to marry in Hamilton County.  Probate Court is also entrusted to keep and maintain Hamilton County marriage records.  Whether you need a marriage license for your upcoming wedding or a copy of an existing marriage license, it is our mission to make this step in your journey as pleasant and stress-free as possible by providing exceptional and professional public service. 

Requirements for Marriage License

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Both applicants must appear in person to complete the license application process, except in very limited circumstances.  A marriage license may be granted when a party is physically unable to appear:
  • When a party is unable to appear due to illness (e.g., hospitalization) or physical disability, they may apply as set forth in R.C. 3101.05(A), which requires an affidavit by a “reputable physician, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse practitioner in active practice and residing” in Hamilton County.
  • For information on obtaining a marriage license when an individual is incarcerated, click here.
• The fee for the license is $75.00.  Cash, credit, and debit cards are acceptable forms of payment. Checks are not accepted.  There is a processing fee when using a credit card.
• Applicants must present documentary proof of age.   Acceptable forms of proof include:
  • A driver’s license;
  • A passport;
  • An original or certified copy of either a birth certificate or a birth record;
  • Any government or school-issued identification card showing the person’s date of birth;
  • A baptismal record showing the person’s date of birth;
  • An immigration record showing the person’s date of birth;
  • A naturalization record showing the person’s date of birth; or
  • A court record or other document or record issued by a government entity showing the person’s date of birth.
• If an applicant has previously been married, the application must include information about previous marriages.  While it is not required to bring documentary proof that the prior marriage ended (e.g., a certified copy of a divorce or dissolution decree or a death certificate is not required), it is helpful to bring a copy of your most recent divorce or dissolution decree because it will contain information that is required by law to complete the application. (R.C. 3101.05(A)). Required information includes:
  • The names of parties to any previous marriage and any minor children; and,
  • The jurisdiction, date and case number of the most recent divorce or dissolution decree.
• Ohio residents wishing to marry in Ohio must apply in the county where either applicant resides. Ohio residents who wish to marry in another state or country, must apply for a license in the state or country in which they intend to marry. Out-of-state residents may only apply in Hamilton County if they intend to marry in Hamilton County.
• Applicants must swear or affirm all information they provide is true and complete and sign their full name (including middle name) on the actual marriage license.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Please ensure that all information on your marriage license is correct (e.g., name spelling) before you leave our office.  The fee to correct a marriage license is $90.00.
• Once the license is issued, it is only valid for 60 calendar days.  There is no blood test or waiting period.  If the license expires before you marry, you will need to obtain a new license.
• The wedding officiant is required to return the marriage certificate to the Probate Court within 30 days of performing the marriage ceremony.

PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS

Probate Court offers an online pre-application that you may complete electronically.  The pre-application process saves you time at court and ensures that when you visit our office, you have all the information required to complete the marriage license application.  The pre-application may be accessed at:

Begin Pre-Application

Wedding Officiants

• An ordained minister of any religious society or congregation who is licensed to perform marriages by the Ohio Secretary of State;
• The Probate Court Judge;
• A municipal court judge; or,
• The mayor of a municipal corporation located in the county that issued the marriage license.

To search for ministers licensed in Ohio to perform marriages, please visit the Ohio Secretary of State website at:
https://recordssearch.ohiosos.gov/

The Duty Judge of the Hamilton County Municipal Court will conduct civil marriage ceremonies.  If you are interested in having the Hamilton County Municipal Court Duty Judge perform your ceremony, please call 513.946.5200 or visit:
https://hamiltoncountycourts.org/index.php/muni-officiants/

Please note that it is the couple’s responsibility to ensure that the person officiating their marriage ceremony is licensed to do so in the State of Ohio.

THE APPLICATION & LICENSE PROCESS - WHAT TO EXPECT

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

THE LICENSE

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Once the application is approved, there is no waiting period - you can marry immediately, but please note you cannot marry immediately in the Probate Court lobby!  We have other courtrooms that are located near the Marriage License Office and main lobby area, and hearings cannot be disrupted.
• There are metered parking spaces and private parking lots in close proximity to the Court building.
• For name change information, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at:  www.ssa.gov or visit a local SSA office.
• Certification of Records ("Never Been Married Before"). For a certification that Hamilton County has never issued a marriage license for a particular person (typically requested when someone is marrying outside the United States), please click here for more information.
• If either applicant is 17 years old, please see: CHECKLIST FOR MINORS.
• If you need an interpreter, please see: INTERPRETER INFORMATION.
• Marriage licenses are a matter of public record.  All marriage licenses are imaged and are available for public access electronically.  To search for a marriage license, click here.
• For more helpful information about your change in marital status (e.g., who to notify, property ownership), see our Informational Guide for Newly Married Couples included with your completed marriage license application documents.

HOURS OF OPERATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION

The Marriage License Office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.  Please note that we must close all departments that conduct financial transactions, including the Marriage License Office, at 3:45 p.m. to complete and balance all monetary business by the close of Court at 4:00 p.m.

Please click here for a complete list of Probate Court holidays.