How to Apply for a Marriage License

Marriage licenses are issued by Knox County Probate Court. The court is located at 111 East High Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The office is open between 8:00am and 4:00pm. The applicants will be asked to complete an information sheet. You can obtain this form at the bottom of this page. The application fee for a marriage license is $60, payable in the form of cash, check or credit card to Knox County Probate Court. There is a $3.95 convenience fee charged on all credit card transactions. The marriage license is valid at the time it is issued and for the next sixty days.

The following conditions must be met:

1. Both parties must be over the age of 18 (If one of the parties isn't, please contact the court for specific instructions).
2. Both parties must have a photo ID.
3. Both parties must be able to provide their Social Security Number.
4. One of the parties must be a resident of Knox County. If both parties are out of state residents, but are being married in Knox County they may obtain a license.
5. If either party has been married before, the following documents need to be presented:
   1. The most recent Final Divorce Decree - this must be signed by the Judge
   2. Death Certificate

Marriage Certification

After applying for and receiving your marriage license, the following steps need to be followed:

1. The minister or person performing the ceremony shall fill out the bottom portion of the license, stating the date they performed the ceremony, and return it to the Probate Court in the envelope provided.
2. About one week to ten days after the marriage, one of the parties should come back to the Probate Court to obtain a CERTIFIED COPY of their marriage license. This is the documents that Social Security requires to change the applicant's information. The cost of the certified copy is $3.00. Out of town residents should mail a request for a certified copy of their marriage license and enclose $3.00 along with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the address of the court listed below.
3. Fill out the applicant's information on the Application of a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). The form is available online at https://www.ssa.gov/. If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the Court and arrange to pick up a form. Attach a certified copy of the marriage license to the form and mail it to the following address:
   
   
   Social Security Administration
   125 Derby Downs Road
   Newark, Ohio 43055

An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state, may perform a marriage within the state if, prior to the ceremony, that individual is also licensed by the State of Ohio to perform marriages. The license to perform marriages is obtained through the office of Ohio Secretary of State. You may check the individual's licensure to marry by viewing the Ohio Secretary of State website at www.sos.state.oh.us/records/ or by calling 1-877-767-6446. If the officiant is not licensed with the State of Ohio, our Court will not recognize the marriage as being legal.

If you should have a question, please feel free to contact this office.

Apply Online

or
Download Marriage Application