Probate Court
Phone: 740.335.0640
Fax: 740.333.3598
Fayette County Probate Court
110 E. Court Street - 2nd Floor
Washington Court House, Ohio 43160
Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Staff:
Probate Court Judge:
The Honorable Judge David B. Bender
Court Administrator: Julie Hidy
Jurisdiction of Probate Court . . . .over two hundred separate duties
Jurisdiction
The Ohio Revised Code places over two hundred separate duties upon the Fayette County Probate Court. Those duties range from issuing marriage licenses to overseeing testamentary trusts valued in millions of dollars. The following is a brief outline of some of the duties of the court.
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
WILLS
CONSENT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT
GUARDIANSHIPS
CONSERVATORSHIPS
MENTAL ILLNESS AND MENTAL RETARDATION
ADOPTIONS
BIRTH CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATION, AND CORRECTION
CHANGES OF NAMES
MARRIAGE LICENSES
LAND APPROPRIATIONS
TESTAMENTARY AND INTER VIVOS TRUSTS
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Marriage Law Changes
The Fayette County Probate Court issues marriage licenses to Fayette County, Ohio residents who wish to marry within the State of Ohio, and for those out-of-state residents wishing to marry in Fayette County, Ohio.
EACH applicant needs to read the Marriage License Requirements before trying to obtaining a Marriage License from our Court.
You may also download the Marriage Application Information Sheet here
Notice
- Local Rules are reviewed by the Fayette County Bar Association, adopted by the Fayette County Probate Court, and filed with the Supreme Court of Ohio on or before February 1st annually.
- Please be advised that the Court may make changes at any time. You are encouraged to check with the Probate Court or the Supreme Court of Ohio to determine if there have been any interim changes.
Court Approved Appraisers
History
Probate divisions – Formerly probate was handled by separate probate courts under Ohio Constitution of 1851, which had original jurisdiction over the probate of wills, supervision of the administration of estates, and guardianship. In 1968, the Modern Courts Amendment to the Ohio Constitution was adopted, establishing probate divisions of the courts of common pleas instead. Probate courts additionally have jurisdiction over the issuance of marriage licenses, adoption proceedings, determination of sanity or mental competency and certain eminent domain proceedings. Probate judges may also act as marriage officiants and charge a fee for the service.