It is strongly recommended that all appointments be scheduled at least once (1) month prior to the ceremony date. An application for a marriage license must be made by the parties in the Probate Court of the county in which either party resides. If neither party is a resident of Ohio, the application must be made in the county where the marriage will be performed. The fee established for a marriage license in Mahoning County is $50.00 and must be paid in cash or credit card (service fee assessed for card transactions).
STEP 1. MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The Court will only issue marriage licenses by appointment only. All appointments will be conducted by video conference. You can utilize your computer, laptop, tablet or cell phone provided it has a camera. If you don’t have access to a device with internet access for a video conference, please inform the Court and alternative arrangements will be made.
Prior to scheduling a video conference for your marriage license, you must provide the Court with your wedding date and your officiant’s name as well as the required documents listed below.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO APPLY
- A certified copy of birth certificate for both Applicants;
- Proof of social security number i.e. Social Security Card or W2 form for both Applicants;
- A valid driver's license or a valid photo I.D. card for both Applicants;
- A certified copy of most recent Divorce Decree, if applicable; and
- A certified copy of Death Certificate, if either Applicant’s previous spouse died.
You will need to scan and email these documents to [emailprotected] with your contact information. If you cannot scan your documents, you can mail a copy of them to the Court at Mahoning County Probate Court, Attn: Marriage License, 120 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 or drop them off at the Marriage License secure drop box located inside the Mahoning County Courthouse at 120 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.
STEP 2. COMPLETING THE APPLICATION PROCESS
After the Court has received your required documents, a Court Clerk will contact you to schedule your video conference appointment. Please note that the Court will not schedule an appointment until all of your required documents are received.
STEP 3. ISSUANCE OF MARRIAGE LICENSE
After your video conference appointment and the marriage license is issued, the license will remain valid for 60 day; if the marriage is not performed within that time, a new license must be obtained. The marriage may be performed by an individual of your choosing that is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office (Minister License information link https://recordssearch.ohiosos.gov/). Further, the Court has an Officiant list that is available to the public by clicking here (Marriage License Officiant List).
Proof of your ceremony must be received by the Court within 30 days after completion for your marriage to be valid.
HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF MARRIAGE LICENSE
Persons needing certified copies of previously issued marriage licenses.
IMPORTANT: Before you place an order for a certified copy of a marriage license, applicants must have obtained their marriage license in Mahoning County, Ohio.
Option 1:
By mailing in your request to the Mahoning County Probate Court, Attn: Marriage License Dept., 120 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 providing the following information or enclosing the request form (PDF form):
- Names of both parties (maiden name if applicable);
- Date of marriage;
- Number of copies you are requesting along with $3.00 for each copy requested. Payment can be made via cash, check or money order payable to the “Mahoning County Probate Court.”
- Name, address and telephone number of person making request.
Option 2:
By visiting the Mahoning County Probate Court, 120 Market Street, 1st Floor, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 in person. Cost for the certified copies is $3.00 for each copy and payment can be made via cash or credit card (service fee assessed for card transactions).
Option 3:
By contacting the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County by calling (330) 744-8636 to determine which location to visit in order to obtain your certified copy. Cost for the certified copies is $3.50 for each copy and payment can be made via cash only.
USE OF THE SAME LAST NAME
Assumption by one spouse of the other spouse's last name is a matter of custom and tradition. In fact, either party may assume the other's surname after marriage. In addition, both parties may adopt a new surname but must complete a legal name change for the new surname to be legally recognized.
If one spouse is assuming the name of the other spouse, it is very important that they notify the other governmental agencies of this fact. These would include the Social Security Administration and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Without these changes, problems may arise concerning the party's driver's license and their income tax for the Internal Revenue Service. The spouse wishing to assume the name of the other spouse should also contact any firm with which they have credit accounts and/or bank issued credit cards.
