Frequently Asked Questions


  1. What are the Probate Court hours and where is it located?
    Our office hours are Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    We do not close for lunch.
    We are located on the second floor of the courthouse.
  2. What are the requirements to obtain a marriage license?
    1. One of you must be a resident of Hardin County, Ohio.
    2. Couples from Out-of-State may apply for a marriage license in Hardin County but will have their license stamped “Valid Only in Hardin County”.
    3. Both applicants must come to the Probate Court together to apply for the marriage license.
    4. Both applicants must provide Photo ID – Driver’s License or State ID. If you have no photo ID, you must have a Passport, Visa, or Green Card (in English) as proof of being a legal resident of the US.
    5. Must be 18 years of age or older to apply for a marriage license. If under the age of 18, please call the Probate Court to schedule an appointment to apply.
    6. If either person has been divorced, a certified copy of the most recent divorce/dissolution decree must be provided at the time of application.
    7. The License is issued the same day and must be used within 60 days in the State of Ohio.
  3. Do I need an attorney?
    Due to the technical aspects of the legal process, the language, and the permanency of outcomes, the Probate Court strongly recommends that you seek legal counsel. Failing to follow the proper laws can result in contempt citations, sanctions and even criminal charges. Good legal advice will hasten the probate process, prevent costly mistakes and lessen the chance that the applicant will be faced with suits by others.
  4. Are you a probation department?
    The Probate Court does not have probation officers or adult parole authority officers. A common misconception is that “Probate” means probation but it does NOT. The term “Probate” actually comes from the Latin word “probatio” – meaning “to prove”.

    The Probate Court was set up to have jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, trusts, adoptions, marriage licenses, change of names, land sale proceedings and delayed birth registrations/birth corrections and several other types of cases.

Legal Holidays are per the Hardin County Handbook: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, and Christmas Day.
**Note: If the above holiday falls on a Saturday, the Court will be closed the Friday before the holiday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the Court will be closed the Monday after the holiday.