Marriage license applications are completed at the Wood County Probate Court located on the second floor of the Wood County Courthouse in Bowling Green, Ohio. Wood County Probate Court's hours for accepting marriage license applications are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both parties must appear to complete the application process. Applicants are asked to arrive by 4:00 to allow time to complete the application process. The office is closed on legal holidays.

• Residency Requirement:
  • If you are an Ohio resident, you must apply for your marriage license in the county in which one of you resides. You are then able to be married anywhere in the State of Ohio.
  • If both parties are out-of-state residents and wish to apply in Wood County, the marriage must occur in Wood County.
• Proof of Age and Residence:
  • Both parties must be 18 or older. (Otherwise, special rules for juveniles apply. Call Probate Court for more information--419-354-9230.)
  • Acceptable forms of identification include a valid driver's license, a state ID card, birth certificate issued by the health department or vital records office, or passport.
  • Additional documents accepted for proving your current address include a check, bill, or signed lease.
  • If you have had a legal name change, you will need to bring a copy of the appropriate judgment entry.
• If one or both parties have been previously married, you must bring a copy of the most recent final divorce, dissolution, or annulment decree. These entries must have the Court's file stamp and Judge's signature.
• You must be married within sixty (60) days after receipt of your license or the license may be voided.
• The fee for the marriage license is $40 if paid in cash. The Court accepts MasterCard, American Express and Discover, however an additional $2.00 convenience fee will be assessed. Using a credit card will add a few minutes to your wait. Checks are not accepted for marriage license applications.
• There is no waiting period for receiving your marriage license (provided you have all the required documentation) and no blood test is required.
• Online Marriage Application:
  • Parties may complete the online application to decrease the amount of time spend in the Probate office.
  • Please complete the online marriage application at least 24 hours prior to your arrival at the courthouse.
  • A tracking number will be generated upon completion of the online application.
  • Bring this number with you when you go to the office to complete the process.
  • Both parties must still appear and bring all required documentation.
  • The court will not contact you after you complete the online application; it is up to you to appear and complete the process.

Along with your tracking number from the previous screen you are required to bring the following pieces of information to the Wood County Probate Court within the next 60 days to complete your marriage application:

• Proof of Age and Residence:
  
  a. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid driver's license, a state ID card, birth certificate issued by the health department or vital records office, or passport.
  
  b. Additional documents accepted for proving your current address include a check, bill, or signed lease.
  
  c. If you have had a legal name change, you will need to bring a copy of the appropriate judgment entry.
  
  
• You must provide a social security number if you are assigned one.
  
  
• If one or both parties have been previously married, you must bring a copy of the most recent final divorce, dissolution, or annulment decree. These entries must have the Court's file stamp and Judge's signature.
  
  
• The fee for the marriage license is $40 if paid in cash. The Court accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, however an additional $2.00 convenience fee will be assessed. Using a credit card will add a few minutes to your wait. Checks are not accepted for marriage license applications.