Click here for Online Marriage License Registration

Click here for location and hours of operation

The Marriage License Bureau is located on the Second floor of the Montgomery County Courts Building, 41 N. Perry St., Dayton, OH 45402.  Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Monday thru Friday.  Plan to arrive by 4 p.m. as the marriage license application process takes time.     

The marriage license grants you the permission to marry.  The license is only valid for
60 days from the date of issuance.  A lost or damaged marriage license can not be replaced.

Checklist for those individuals seeking a marriage license for the first time.

-Each party must bring a valid picture I.D. 

• Any of the following are acceptable means of a picture I.D.
  • A valid driver's license
  • A state ID.
  • Immigration and Naturalization Service (I.N.S.) Visa.

• All social security numbers are for identification purposes only and are held in confidence.

-Both parties of the marriage must apply together in person. 

• If either or both parties are physically incapacitated, their physician must complete an affidavit stating the physical disability, and this affidavit shall be filed with the application for the marriage license.

-At least one party member must be a resident of Montgomery County.

• If the applicant's address on the I.D. does not reflect that they live in Montgomery County, they need to bring proof that they actually do reside in the county.  Acceptable forms of proof are a utility bill, lease, pay stub, auto registration, etc.
• The Court will also issue the license if neither of the applicants is a resident of the State of Ohio, but the marriage ceremony must take place in Montgomery County.

-The minimum age for applying for a marriage license in Ohio without parental consent is eighteen (18) years of age.

• If one of the parties is under 18, please see Special requirements for minors to ensure that you meet all of the requirements.

-Bring $55.00

THE PROBATE COURT ACCEPTS:

• Cash
• Money Order
• Cashier's Check
• American Express, Discover, Mastercard credit and Debit cards, plus a convenience fee of $1.80. 

A checklist for those individuals previously married anywhere in the United States or any other location in the world:

-Must meet all above requirements for first time marriage license AND one of the following:

-If divorced, bring a CERTIFIED COPY of the most recent divorce decree.

A certified copy is: "A photocopy of a document, judgment, or record that is signed and attested to as an accurate and a complete reproduction of the original document by a public official in whose custody the original has been placed for safekeeping."

• A copy of the decree is not acceptable unless it is a certified copy.
• A photocopy of a certified copy is not acceptable
• For more information, contact the clerk of courts where you obtained your divorce decree.  For Montgomery County, the number to the Domestic Relations Court is (937) 225-7590

- If previous marriage ended in the death of a spouse, bring a CERTIFIED COPY of the death certificate with you to the courthouse. 

• If the death occurred in Montgomery County, the death certificate can be obtained from the Department of Vital Statistics of Montgomery at (937) 496-3117.
• A certified copy is a photocopy of a document, judgment, or record that is signed and attested to as an accurate and a complete reproduction of the original document by a public official in whose custody the original has been placed for safekeeping.
• A copy of the death certificate is not acceptable unless it is a certified copy.
• A photocopy of a certified death certificate is not acceptable

THE PERSON OFFICIATING YOUR MARRIAGE CEREMONY MUST BE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• A minister or priest licensed by the Secretary of State.  Check to see if your minister is licensed. 
• An elected official who is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony.  List of officials.

The person performing the marriage ceremony must return the certificate of verification to the court within thirty (30) days of performing the ceremony to verify that the service was performed. 

To confirm that the person who performed your marriage ceremony returned the verification you can check our website www.mcohio.org/probate , then click on Case Search, then click on marriage license to verify if the person who performed your marriage ceremony has completed your marriage record.

• The Probate Court will not notify you if the certificate is not returned within thirty (30) days.

Ministers interested in obtaining a license to solemnize marriages:
Click here