Ohio Marriage License

By Ben Kingsley


Documents such as vital records are important and everyone should have their own copies or a certified true copy with them. Vital records such as birth, death and marriage certificates are usually available in the State Health Department although in some cases such as the Ohio marriage records, these are available from the county clerk. Vital records contain information that might be helpful in claiming of spousal benefits, social security, death benefits as well as determine one's legitimacy.

For people who want to request for a certified copy of the marriage records, they may do so by visiting the county probate clerk responsible for the record. For basic information, the person can request for an abstract or index where they can find the marriage records. The Vital Office contains thousands of marriage indexes that one can check out. The index or abstract starts from the 1950s up to today. In person search is allowed; however, one should make an appointment before being allowed access. Fees may apply as well.

For certified copies of the marriage, the person requesting can go to the county probate court where the license was issued. Other records that one can also request for include license made by the minister, marriage consents as well as marriage returns. Each county has their own indexes and some can even date back to the 1900. To preserve the records, some are microfilmed.

As each county has their rules and regulations, it is important to call the county before heading there or making a request. In the County of Franklin for example, individuals can request for records through online, in person or through standard mail. Payments for the records start at $2. Transaction fee costs about $1 and if the person requesting wants the records mailed, they have to add an additional of $.46 for every 4 indexes or abstracts that they request. Expedite shipping depends on the person's location. The county accepts only cash or money order or cheques and does not accept credit cards. The person requesting should make sure to fill in all pertinent information or details for the department to return with the report that one needs.

In Belmont County, a request for certified copies may only be done through mail. The person requesting should include their name, date of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope and cheque or money order. Each certified copy costs about $3. Some counties such as the Clark County have their online record search where one can check if the marriage record exists. Simply type in one of the party's name, case number and file date to show the record. Fees may apply.

There are other ways for one to obtain records of marriage as these services available depend on the county probate where the marriage was performed. For those who are looking for a faster and more convenient way to check basic marriage information, they can do so by checking online sites that offer professional search records faster and easier.




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