Couple reviewing documents at a county clerk's office window

Kentucky & Ohio County Directory

Get Your Marriage License
Without the Runaround

Real office hours. Exact fees. Required documents. Waiting periods.
County-by-county — updated regularly.

Find a Kentucky Office Find an Ohio Office
2States Covered
15+Counties Listed
$0Cost to Use This Guide

Kentucky vs. Ohio — Key Differences

These two states handle marriage licenses very differently. Know which rules apply before you walk in.

Kentucky

County Clerk's Office

Waiting PeriodNone — license issued same day
Valid For30 days from issue date
Residency RequiredNo — any couple can apply
Where to ApplyAny Kentucky county clerk
Typical Fee$35.50 (varies slightly by county)
Blood TestNot required
Who OfficiatesJudge, minister, or authorized officiant
Return LicenseOfficiant returns to issuing county clerk
Ohio

Probate Court

Waiting PeriodNone — license issued same day
Valid For60 days from issue date
Residency RequiredNo — non-residents may apply
Where to ApplyAny Ohio county Probate Court
Typical Fee$50–$75 (varies by county)
Blood TestNot required
Who OfficiatesJudge, magistrate, or licensed minister
Return LicenseOfficiant returns to issuing Probate Court

⚠️ Cross-border note: If you live in Kentucky but want to marry in Ohio (or vice versa), you can apply in either state. The license is valid where it was issued, not where you live. Many NKY couples apply in Ohio for the longer 60-day validity window.

Kentucky

Kentucky County Clerk Offices

Marriage licenses in Kentucky are issued by the County Clerk. You do not need to apply in your home county — any Kentucky county clerk can issue your license.

Boone County Clerk

Boone County, KY
📍
Main Office
2950 Washington St, Burlington, KY 41005
📞
(859) 334-2108
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed all state and federal holidays
💵
$35.50 — cash or check preferred; call ahead to confirm card acceptance
🪪
Both applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID
Local notes: Boone County serves the Florence/Burlington corridor — one of the busiest NKY clerk offices. Arrive before 4:00 PM to allow processing time. A satellite office in Florence handles many services but call ahead to confirm marriage license processing is available on a given day.
Full Boone County guide →

Kenton County Clerk

Kenton County, KY
📍
Main Office (Covington)
1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, KY 41011
Independence Branch
5272 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051
📞
(859) 392-1650
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Independence branch: same hours
💵
$35.50
🪪
Both applicants present with photo ID; Social Security numbers required
Local notes: Kenton County has two clerk locations — Covington (downtown) and Independence. The Independence branch is significantly less crowded and typically faster. If you're coming from Erlanger, Taylor Mill, or Villa Hills, Independence is closer and easier to park. Social Security number is required even if you don't bring the card itself.
Full Kenton County guide →

Campbell County Clerk

Campbell County, KY
📍
330 York St, Newport, KY 41071
📞
(859) 292-3845
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Closes promptly — arrive by 3:30 PM
💵
$35.50
🪪
Both applicants in person; government-issued photo ID required
Local notes: Campbell County Clerk is in Newport's historic courthouse. Street parking on York St is limited — use the York Street Garage one block away. If either applicant was previously married, bring documentation of how that marriage ended (divorce decree or death certificate). Campbell County staff will ask.
Full Campbell County guide →

Grant County Clerk

Grant County, KY
📍
101 N Main St, Williamstown, KY 41097
📞
(859) 824-3321
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💵
$35.50
🪪
Both applicants in person; photo ID required
Local notes: Grant County is a smaller office — typically very short wait times. Good option for couples who want a quick, low-hassle experience and live in the I-75 corridor between NKY and Georgetown. The Williamstown courthouse is easy to find and has free parking directly adjacent.
Full Grant County guide →

Kentucky Marriage License Rules — All Counties

  • Both applicants must appear in person — no proxies
  • Minimum age: 18 without parental consent; 16–17 with parental and judicial approval (Kentucky law changed in 2018 — no longer permitted under 16 under any circumstances)
  • License is valid statewide for 30 days — plan your ceremony accordingly
  • The officiant must return the completed license to the issuing county clerk within 30 days of the ceremony
  • If either applicant was previously married, you will typically be asked how that marriage ended (divorce, annulment, or death) — bring supporting documents
  • No blood test required
  • No residency requirement — any couple can apply at any Kentucky county clerk regardless of where they live
Ohio

Ohio Probate Court Offices

In Ohio, marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court — not the county clerk. Each county has one Probate Court. Fees vary more widely than in Kentucky.

Hamilton County Probate Court

Hamilton County, OH (Cincinnati)
📍
1000 Main St, Room 280, Cincinnati, OH 45202
📞
(513) 946-3600
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Room 280, 2nd floor of courthouse
💵
$60 — cash, money order, or credit/debit card accepted
🪪
Both applicants in person; valid photo ID; Social Security numbers required
Local notes: Downtown Cincinnati courthouse — allow extra time for parking and courthouse security screening. The Probate Court division is on the 2nd floor. Arrive by 3:30 PM. Hamilton County serves Cincinnati proper and its immediate suburbs. License is valid for 60 days, which is a major advantage over Kentucky's 30-day window.
Full Hamilton County guide →

Clermont County Probate Court

Clermont County, OH
📍
270 Main St, Batavia, OH 45103
📞
(513) 732-7243
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
💵
$55
🪪
Both applicants in person; government-issued photo ID; Social Security numbers
Local notes: Clermont County (Batavia) is a quieter alternative to Hamilton County for couples living in the eastern Cincinnati suburbs or along the US-52 corridor. Batavia is easy to park and typically has minimal wait. A good choice if you're getting married in Clermont or Loveland area.
Full Clermont County guide →

Warren County Probate Court

Warren County, OH
📍
900 Memorial Dr, Lebanon, OH 45036
📞
(513) 695-1120
🕐
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💵
$50 — one of the lower fees in the Cincinnati metro area
🪪
Both applicants in person; photo ID; Social Security numbers
Local notes: Warren County serves Mason, Lebanon, and the fast-growing I-71 suburbs. The $50 fee is lower than Hamilton County. Lebanon is about 30 minutes from Cincinnati — a reasonable drive if you want a less hectic courthouse experience. Free parking directly at the courthouse.
Full Warren County guide →

Ohio Marriage License Rules — All Counties

  • Both applicants must appear in person at the Probate Court
  • Minimum age: 18 without parental consent; under 18 requires Probate Judge approval
  • License is valid for 60 days — significantly longer than Kentucky
  • No residency requirement — non-Ohio residents may apply at any Ohio county Probate Court
  • The officiant must return the completed license to the issuing Probate Court
  • No blood test required
  • You may apply in any Ohio county regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will take place

What to Bring — Document Checklist

Showing up without the right documents is the most common reason for a wasted trip. This checklist covers both states.

✅ Required — Both States

📋 If Previously Married

  • Kentucky and Ohio both ask how the prior marriage ended. Ohio Probate Courts are more likely to request documentation up front.

🔍 Helpful But Not Always Required

License Expiration Calculator

Enter the date you plan to get your license. We'll tell you your deadline to have the ceremony — and whether you have time to spare.

💡 Pro tip: Apply for your license 1–2 weeks before the ceremony — not the day before. If there's a paperwork issue, you'll have time to resolve it.

Guides & How-Tos

Everything you need to know before, during, and after getting your marriage license — written for Kentucky and Ohio couples.

Marriage license documents and wedding ring on desk
Comparison

Kentucky vs. Ohio Marriage License: Which State Is Right for You?

30 days vs. 60 days. County Clerk vs. Probate Court. $35 vs. $75. Here's how to choose the right state for your license.
Documents and pen laid out before courthouse visit
Checklist

What to Bring to the Marriage License Office: The Complete List

The documents you need, the ones that are optional, and the one thing people forget that sends them home empty-handed.
Official certificate with gold seal
Special Situations

Getting a Marriage License When You've Been Married Before

What to bring, what they'll ask, and how divorce decrees, death certificates, and annulments are handled in Kentucky and Ohio.
Calendar and marriage documents
Timing

How Long Is a Marriage License Valid? Kentucky & Ohio Expiration Rules

Kentucky gives you 30 days. Ohio gives you 60. Here's what happens if you miss the window and what you can do about it.
Couple receiving license at courthouse counter
Same Day

Can You Get Married the Same Day You Get Your License?

Neither Kentucky nor Ohio has a waiting period — but there are a few things to line up first. Here's the full same-day timeline.
Official document being signed
Officiants

Who Can Legally Officiate a Wedding in Kentucky and Ohio?

Judges, ministers, friends with internet ordinations — who's actually legal, and what happens if you get it wrong.
Certified official document with gold seal
After the Ceremony

How to Get a Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate

How many copies you need, where to order them, what they cost in each county, and how long it takes.
Documents and pen ready for signing
Name Change

Legal Name Change After Marriage in Kentucky: The Correct Order of Operations

Social Security first, then driver's license, then everything else. The sequence matters — here's exactly how to do it in Kentucky.
Official paperwork and pen
Name Change

Legal Name Change After Marriage in Ohio: Step-by-Step

Ohio's name change process after marriage — what to update, in what order, and how long each agency takes to process the change.
Courthouse interior with American flag
Courthouse Weddings

How to Have a Courthouse Wedding in Kentucky or Ohio

Everything about getting married at the courthouse — who can officiate, what it costs, whether witnesses are required, and how to make it feel intentional.
View All Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we apply in any county, or does it have to be where we live?

Either state: you can apply in any county, regardless of where you live. You don't even have to live in Kentucky or Ohio — out-of-state residents can apply. The license is valid statewide once issued.

We live in Kentucky but want to get married in Ohio. Which state's license do we need?

The license must be issued by the state where the ceremony takes place. If your ceremony is in Ohio, get an Ohio license from any Ohio Probate Court. If the ceremony is in Kentucky, get a Kentucky license from any county clerk.

How long does the process take at the office?

Typically 15–30 minutes if you have all documents. County clerk offices in NKY (Boone, Kenton, Campbell) can get busy on Fridays — mid-week mornings are fastest. Ohio Probate Courts are generally quick but downtown Hamilton County can be slower due to courthouse security.

What if one of us was previously married?

You'll need to provide the date the prior marriage ended and how it ended (divorce, annulment, or death). Both Kentucky and Ohio may request documentation. Bring your final divorce decree or death certificate — not just the filing date.

Can we get married the same day we get the license?

Yes — neither Kentucky nor Ohio has a mandatory waiting period. You can get the license in the morning and have the ceremony that afternoon. Just make sure your officiant is already arranged.

What happens if our license expires before the ceremony?

You'll need to apply for a new license and pay the fee again. The expired license cannot be extended. This is why Ohio's 60-day window is popular with couples who need more planning time — it's double Kentucky's 30-day limit.

Does the officiant need to be registered somewhere?

In Kentucky, the officiant must be an ordained or licensed minister, judge, or other legally authorized officiant. In Ohio, similar rules apply — judges, magistrates, and ordained ministers are all valid. Internet ordinations (Universal Life Church, etc.) are generally recognized in both states, but confirm with your county before the ceremony.

We're from out of state. Can we still use this directory?

Yes. There's no residency requirement in either Kentucky or Ohio. Out-of-state couples frequently apply in NKY or Cincinnati area counties — it's completely legal. Just bring your valid government-issued ID and Social Security numbers.

Ready to Get Your License?

Pick your county below for address, hours, fee, and exactly what to bring.

Kentucky Boone County Kenton County Campbell County Grant County
Ohio Hamilton County Clermont County Warren County