Look Up Free Cuyahoga County Marriage Records on Anybody

Conduct a free Cuyahoga County marriage records lookup today. Whether you’re doing genealogical research, investigating for legal purposes, or verifying background information, a marital record search can be a seamless process at no cost.

These public records shed light on marital histories and statuses, as well as offer incredible insights into cultural and societal norms surrounding marriage at different times in the county’s lifespan.

The information in this resource provides searchers with guidance and step-by-step instructions for obtaining marriage certificates and records online, in person, or through other means at little to no cost.

How To Find Cuyahoga County Marriage Records

Suppose an inquirer is searching for the records of individuals who’ve been married in Cleveland, Ohio (the county seat). In that case, the first place to look is the Cuyahoga County Probate Court web docket.¹ This user-friendly platform enables marriage record search by case or by party name.

Below are some tips on getting the most out of the search functions offered by the Probate Court’s web docket.

Step One: Go to the Cuyahoga County Probate Court Case Search Page.

Step Two: Enter the case number or the party name. If searchers only have a part of the case number, the search function will still work. However, they’ll need to sift through the results to identify the specific case they’re interested in.

On the other hand, if searching marriage records by party name, at least the first two letters of the party’s last name are needed. Generally, the more information provided, the easier it will be to locate specific records. Additional information can include case year, case category, party role (i.e., Bride, Groom, Officiant, etc.), and suffix.

Step Three: Select the marriage record.

Once the searcher finds the record they’re interested in, they can view the printer-friendly version for free or request a certified copy of the marriage record for a $4.00 base deposit. The court will not charge the final amount (which may be higher than $4.00) until after they’ve approved the records request.

The searcher will receive an email when the request has been processed. After approval and payment, the court sends the certified case record through regular mail.

Get a certified marriage license copy via phone or mail: if searching for Cuyahoga County marital records online isn’t a viable option, copies can also be requested by mail and phone.

Getting a certified copy by mail-in request requires:

• First and last name of each applicant (must include maiden names and names held prior to the marriage)
• Date of the marriage (if known)
• Approximate year of the marriage (if exact date unknown)

It’s essential to note that searchers must complete as well as submit a Certified Copy of Marriage License Request Form with a money order or cashiers check in the amount of $2.00 per copy requested (payable to Cuyahoga Probate Court).²

Otherwise, interested parties can call the Certified Copies Department at 216-443-8792 and pay by credit card.

The form must be sent to the following address:

Cuyahoga County Probate Court
Marriage License Department
1 Lakeside Avenue, Room 129 (1st floor)
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

It’s important to note that a self-addressed and stamped envelope must be enclosed. There’s about a 14 day turnaround for certified copies of marriage records. According to the Cuyahoga Probate Court, requests by mail are faster (in lieu of in-person or phone requests) due to a high volume of calls and prolonged wait times.

However, it’s still possible to go to the address mentioned above to request additional information and/or file the request in-person.

There are also options available for individuals Cuyahoga County who’re searching for older marriage records for genealogical purposes – learn more in the section below.

How To Review Historical & Archived Cuyahoga County Marital Records

Established in 1975, the Cuyahoga County Archives holds historical marriage records and makes them more accessible to the public.³ Here’s how to request marriage record archives:

Request Archives Online or by Fax – Individuals searching for older marriage records have multiple ways to do so. The first method is completing the Archives Research Request Form online.⁴ Generally, the more information provided, the better the results and turnaround time.

Searchers can also request records via email at [email protected] or fax at 216-443-3636. Supposing the form includes all of the details required, searchers can expect a response to their requests within three weeks.

Make an Appointment With the Cuyahoga County Archives Department – Before going to the Archives building space, searchers must make an appointment. The address of the Cuyahoga County Archives can be found in Cleveland at 3951 Perkins Ave.

It’s open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm. To schedule an appointment, searchers can send an email to [email protected], or contact the department at (216)-443-7250 (phone); their office can also be reached by fax at (216)-443-3636.

Here are a few helpful links and resources regarding the Cuyahoga County Archives:

• Cuyahoga County Archives Policies & Procedures – Information regarding record requests, registration, and operating hours.⁵
• Archives Information Sheet – Highlighted ‘records of interest’ as well as policies and procedures for obtaining information from the archives.⁶
• Archives Research Request Form – Online form for submitting records requests to the Cuyahoga County Archives Dept.

Find Historical Marriage Records Using Alternative Methods – There are additional ways to find Cuyahoga County records of marriages; they include but aren’t limited to:

• Newspaper Archives
• Church Records
• Library Special Collections & Archives
• Local Courthouses
• National Archives

In Ohio, domestic partnerships are not officially recognized under state law – but, depending on the city and county, there are domestic partnership registries available. As such, every city within the county has its own requirements for domestic partnerships and unique methods for maintaining records.

Generally, those seeking to register for domestic partnership much meet specific criteria like:

• Sharing a common residence
• Not being married or in a domestic relationship with a third individual
• Be at least 18
• A signed and filed Domestic Partnership form with the applicable city

It’s important to note that domestic partnerships in no way circumvent or usurp current Ohio marriage laws.

Lastly, marriage records are not maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics.⁷ Those searching for such records must obtain the information from the county where the marriage was recorded in the state.

How To Search Ohio Marital Records (Statewide Lookup)

Since Ohio doesn’t have a statewide mechanism for maintaining marriage records, searchers must contact the probate courts in the county where the event occurred to obtain the copy. Thus, in addition to the name(s) and approximate date of the record (within a 10 year span), searchers must also know where the marriage took place.

If during a Cuyahoga County marriage information or document search, an inquirer realizes they can’t find a particular certificate, it can be helpful to widen the search to neighboring counties.

That being said, if a searcher doesn’t have all necessary information, there are some third-party non-profit organizations that can assist in locating specific marriage records. However, these organizations are not sanctioned by the state and have their own procedures, fee schedules, and research procedures.

How To Request a Cuyahoga County Ohio Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Cuyahoga County has never been more convenient. First, requesters must pre-register for a marriage license online.⁸

If the pre-registration is successful, the requester can go here (no appointment necessary):

Cuyahoga County Probate Court 
Marriage License Department
1 Lakeside Avenue West – Room 129 (First Floor)
Cleveland, Ohio, 44113

Phone: 216-443-8920

It’s open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on weekends and legal holidays. Those interested in learning more can call the Marriage License Department at (216)-443-8920 during the posted hours of operation (aside from holidays).⁹

The marriage license fee is $60.00 which is payable via many options, including cash, money order, cashiers check, or debit/credit card ($2.95 fee applies). The marriage license only has 60 days of validity from the date of issue.

Furthermore, if either party that’s getting married has been divorced in the past, they’ll need to provide the probate court with the dates, places, and applicable case numbers, as well as a certified copy of the last divorce decree.

Whether it’s a new marriage or an older one, obtaining and locating Cuyahoga County marriage records is a streamlined and efficient process that can be completed in no time.