Union County Probate Court Records Search

Union County probate court records are managed at the county courthouse in Marysville, Ohio. The Union County Probate Court handles estate cases, guardianships, marriage licenses, adoptions, and name changes for residents across the county. Formed in 1820 from parts of Franklin, Delaware, Madison, and Logan counties, Union County has maintained probate court records since that time. You can visit the courthouse during business hours to search for records, or call ahead to find out what is available and how to get copies.

Where to Find Union County Probate Court Records

The Union County Probate Court has offices at 215 West 5th Street in Marysville, Ohio 43040. An alternate entrance is at 128 S. Main Street, Suite 109. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (937) 645-3029 for the main line or (937) 645-3006 as a backup number. Staff can look up case files and help you find the Union County probate court records you need.

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2101.24, the Union County Probate Court has broad powers. It handles estate settlements, guardianships for minors and adults, adoptions, marriage licenses, name changes, mental health cases, trusts, and wrongful death claims. Each case creates a file with forms, orders, and reports. These files are the Union County probate court records that the public can access at the courthouse.

The Union County government website provides general info about county services and links to various departments, including court offices.

The Union County website is a useful starting point for finding contact info, office hours, and details about how to reach the probate court in Marysville.

How to Access Union County Probate Court Records

Union County has limited online access for probate court records. Most records need to be looked up in person or by a written request sent to the court. The court uses standard Ohio Supreme Court probate forms along with local forms that are available at the courthouse. If you plan to file something or need copies, call ahead to ask about the current fee schedule.

To visit in person, go to the courthouse during business hours. Bring a photo ID. The clerk can search by name or case number. You can ask for plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies cost more but are needed for legal filings and property transfers. Plain copies work fine if you just need info for your own use. The staff can tell you what fees apply to the Union County probate court records you want.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Union County Probate Court at 215 West 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040. Include as much detail as you can: names, case numbers, dates, and what type of record you need. Add a phone number or email so staff can reach you if they have questions. Payment by check or money order is typical for mail requests.

Union County Probate Court Records History

Union County was carved from parts of four other counties in 1820. The probate court has kept records since that time. Estate files, guardianship records, and marriage records all date back to the county's founding year. Birth and death records from 1867 to 1908 are also held at the probate court. After December 20, 1908, those vital records moved to the local health department and the state.

For genealogy research, FamilySearch and Ancestry both have collections that include Union County probate court records. The Ohio Probate Records collection at FamilySearch covers 1789 to 1996. Ancestry's Ohio Wills and Probate Records run from 1786 to 1998. These online tools are handy if you cannot make the trip to Marysville. They won't have everything, but they cover a lot of ground for older records.

The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics has birth and death records from December 20, 1908, to the present. For records before that date, the Union County Probate Court is where you need to go. The Ohio Genealogical Society can also point you to more resources for Union County research.

Ohio Laws Governing Union County Probate Court Records

Ohio probate courts operate under the Ohio Revised Code Title XXI. The key law is ORC Section 2101.24, listing all the duties of probate courts. This includes estates, guardianships, adoptions, trusts, marriage licenses, name changes, and mental health proceedings. Union County follows these same rules just like every other county in Ohio.

Public access to Union County probate court records is set by the Ohio Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43). Most probate records are public. You do not need to give your name or explain why you want the records. The court must respond in a reasonable time. Some records are sealed by law. Adoption files are closed to the public. Mental health commitment records are restricted. Medical info gets removed from copies. But estate records, wills, marriage licenses, guardianship cases, and most other Union County probate court records are open to anyone who asks.

Ohio has different tracks for estate cases. Full administration is the standard path. Release from administration is for smaller estates. Summary release covers estates with very few assets. Each type creates different paperwork in the probate file, and all are available for public review. The Ohio State Bar Association has plain-language guides on these options.

Union County Probate Court Records Resources

Here are the main resources for finding Union County probate court records:

• Union County Government for county services and department contacts
• Ohio State Bar Association for legal help with probate matters
• Ohio Genealogical Society for historical record research
• Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics for birth and death records after 1908

The Union County Clerk of Courts also maintains civil and criminal records that may tie into probate cases. If you need a record but are not sure whether it falls under probate or the clerk of courts, call either office. They can point you the right way. Both offices are at the courthouse in Marysville, so visiting in person makes it easy to check both.

Probate Court Records in Nearby Counties

If you need probate court records from areas near Union County, these neighboring counties have their own probate courts: