The Probate Court is the sole agency authorized to issue marriage licenses.
To schedule an appointment please call 440-329-5295
Walks in will not be permitted
To request a Marriage License, please complete the following form, print it out and bring it along with $57.00 (cash only) to the Lorain County Probate Court, Marriage License Bureau, 225 Court Street, Room 611, Elyria, OH 44035.
(This is a PDF that you can fill out online and print it out, or, simply print it out as a blank document and write in the information.)
The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $57.00, payable in cash. Seventeen dollars of each marriage license fee is deposited in a special fund to provide assistance to shelters for victims of domestic violence.
Once a license is issued, it is effective for a period of 60 days. After 60 days, the license is considered expired and the couple must reapply for a new license and pay a $57.00 filing fee.
If either applicant has been married before, they must bring all prior divorce information (county and state of divorce, case number, date of finalization) and a copy of the final decree of the most recent divorce.
Before applying, review the following requirements:
The prospective married couple is required to appear together when applying for the license.
One or both of the applicants must be a resident of Lorain County in order to obtain a license from the Lorain County Probate Court.
Out-of-state applicants may apply in Lorain County if the marriage ceremony is performed in Lorain County
Social Security numbers are required for both applicants
You must present one of the following valid photo IDs:
Consent from Juvenile Court must be received for any of the following:
If either applicant is the age of seventeen years, the judge shall require the applicants to state that they received marriage counseling satisfactory to the court and file the verification form.
The Verification of Marriage Counseling form is to be completed and signed prior to license being issued.
Both Persons to be married
must be the age of 17.
Marriage Licenses cannot be issued earlier than 14 calendar days from when entry was filed with Juvenile Court.
Only one person is the age of 17, the other person can not be more than 4 years older.
Age 17 and Age 18
Age 17 and Age 19,
Age 17 and Age 20
Age 17 and Age 21
(depending on birthday)
