Marriage license applications are completed at the Williams County Common Pleas Court, Probate Division located on the second floor of the Williams County Courthouse in Bryan, Ohio.  The hours for accepting applications are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm., excluding holidays.

Residency Requirement:

If both applicants are Ohio residents, you must apply for your marriage license in the county where one of you reside.  You are then able to be married anywhere in the State of Ohio.

If both applicants are out-of-state residents and wish to apply in Williams County, the marriage must occur in Williams County.

Eligibility and Required Documents:

Both applicants must be 18 years or older. (There are special Rules for juveniles who wish to apply for a license.)  

Each applicant must have a government issued photo ID (example: Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, Visa).  If the address on your photo ID is not current, you must bring proof of your address (utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, etc.).

Each applicant must have a birth certificate (a copy is acceptable).  If the birth certificate is in a foreign language, you need to present the original document and a "certified" translation.  For a document to be considered "certified", the person who translated must state in writing that they (1) are qualified to translate the document because they are competent in both English and the document's original language; (2) translated the document accurately and completely to the best of their abilities; and (3) contain their full name, address, signature and date.

If either applicant had a legal name change, you will need to present a copy of the appropriate Judgment Entry from the Court showing the change of name.

Both applicants must bring their Social Security cards.

If one or both applicants have been previously married, you must bring a copy of the most recent divorce, dissolution or annulment Judgment Entry that terminates the marriage.  The Entry must have the Court’s file stamp and the Judge’s signature.

If either applicant is a widow or widower, a death certificate will be required.

Other Requirements:

Applicants must get married within sixty (60) days of the date that the marriage license is issued.  Ohio does not require blood tests nor a waiting period.  However, the license does expire sixty (60) days after issuance.

The person officiating the ceremony must be licensed through the State of Ohio to solemnize the marriage.  At the applicant’s request, the person officiating the ceremony shall produce for inspection the officiant’s license to solemnize marriages. This information can also be found on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. If the person officiating the marriage is not licensed in the State of Ohio, the license is void.

The applicants must swear, or affirm, that all information and testimony provided is true, correct and complete.

The applicants must sign their full name (including middle name) on the Marriage License.

After the applicants are married, the person performing the ceremony is required to return the certificate back to the Court for recording within thirty (30) days of the date of the marriage.

Costs

The cost of the Marriage License is $40.00 and must be paid in cash or certified check. The Court accepts Credit/Debit card with an additional convenience fee assessed.

Certified copies may be requested at a fee of $7.00. If certified copies are requested by mail, the cost is $7.60 and must be pre-paid.