After the ceremony, your officiant returns the completed marriage license to the issuing county office. At that point, it becomes a public record — and you can request certified copies. These copies are what you'll need for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, insurance, and almost every other name-change or benefits process.
Here's how it works in Kentucky and Ohio, what it costs, and how many copies to order.
First: The License Must Be Returned and Recorded
You cannot order a certified copy until after your officiant has returned the completed, signed license to the county clerk or Probate Court. This process takes a few days to a few weeks after the ceremony depending on your officiant and the county's processing speed.
If you need a copy urgently and your officiant hasn't returned the license yet, follow up with them first. An unreturned license means there's nothing on record to certify.
Kentucky: County Clerk's Office
In Kentucky, certified copies of marriage certificates are obtained from the county clerk's office where the license was issued — the same office where you applied.
| County | Fee Per Copy | How to Request | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone County | ~$6 | In person or mail | (859) 334-2108 |
| Kenton County | ~$6 | In person or mail | (859) 392-1650 |
| Campbell County | ~$6 | In person or mail | (859) 292-3845 |
| Grant County | ~$6 | In person or mail | (859) 824-3321 |
Fees are set by state statute and are typically $6 per certified copy. Call your county to confirm the current fee and whether they accept mail or online requests before making a trip.
Ohio: Probate Court
In Ohio, certified copies are obtained from the Probate Court that issued the license — the same Probate Court where you applied.
| County | Fee Per Copy | How to Request | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | ~$4–$7 | In person, mail, or online portal | (513) 946-3600 |
| Warren County | ~$5 | In person or mail | (513) 695-1120 |
| Clermont County | ~$5 | In person or mail | (513) 732-7243 |
Hamilton County Probate Court has an online records portal that may allow you to order copies without visiting in person — call to confirm availability and current turnaround time.
How Many Copies Do You Actually Need?
Order more than you think you need. Certified copies are inexpensive ($4–$7 each) and running out means another trip or mail request. Institutions that typically require a certified copy:
- Social Security Administration — 1 copy (they may return it, or they may keep it; request extra to be safe)
- State DMV / Driver's License office — 1 copy
- U.S. Passport (if changing name) — 1 copy
- Employer HR / benefits — typically 1 copy or a photocopy
- Bank / financial accounts — typically a photocopy is accepted
- Insurance policies — varies
Recommended: order 3–4 certified copies. Keep one for your personal records permanently. Use the others for the name-change process. Extra copies cost $12–$28 total — far less than requesting additional copies later.
Ordering by Mail
Most county clerks and Ohio Probate Courts accept mail requests. A typical mail request includes:
- A written request with both spouses' names, date of marriage, and county
- A check or money order for the fee amount (call to confirm exact fee and payable-to name)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Turnaround time for mail requests is typically 1–3 weeks. Call the office before mailing to confirm their current process and fee.
What If the License Was Never Returned?
If your officiant never returned the completed license, there's no recorded marriage for the county to certify copies from. You'll need to track down your officiant first. If the officiant is unreachable or the license is truly lost, contact the county clerk or Probate Court directly — they can advise on the process for recording a marriage after the fact, which may involve a court proceeding. This is rare but resolvable.