How to Find Ohio Marriage Records

United States

U.S. Vital Records

How to Find U.S. Marriage Records

Ohio Vital Records

How to Find Ohio Marriage Records

Finding Ohio Marriage Records

• Marriages are kept by the county probate judge for each county and begin at the creation of the county
• 1950 - statewide index begins; however, marriage licenses are not available from the state and must be obtained locally from the county probate court

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1950 1950 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1950

• Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
Ancestry, Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	18,873,749
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1724-2015	On Findmypast; ($)
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1789-2013	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		4,536,489

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
Ancestry, Marriages, 1789-1898	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	10,511
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1800-1958	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		2,198,987
Ancestry, Marriages, 1803-1900	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	429,836

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local family history center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the probate court.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the probate court.

OR

• View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
• Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1950 to Present

• Online marriage indexes are incomplete for the years 1950 to the present.
• 1950 - statewide index begins; however, marriage licenses are not available from the state and must be obtained locally from the probate court

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
Ancestry, Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	18,873,749
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1724-2015	On Findmypast; ($)
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1789-2013	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		4,536,489

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1800-1958	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		2,198,987
Ancestry, Marriages, 1970, 1972-2007	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription $, Use your own MyHeritage subscription	6,777,898

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the probate court or the Ohio Department of Health.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the probate court.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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