Hamilton County Probate Court, Judge Ralph Winkler

"I just called to obtain information on how to get eloped and get a marriage license. When calling it rang about 20 times before she answered the phone and she was extremely rude and not helpful at all. She wouldn’t even let me get a word out and said they couldn’t help me with the marriage license application and i need to google who to call. wow extremely helpful right? I’m really disappointed. I read reviews before calling and hoped you guys would do better than that with your customer service. Extremely disappointed."

"I dreaded having to contact the Hamilton Co. Probate Court in Ohio to obtain a much-needed document. I had attempted the action some years ago when documents were still on microfiche, resulting in frustration and subsequently, my abandoning the action entirely. However, I had no cause for such trepidation or concern when I contacted Judge Winkler’s court recently. First, requests were streamlined and online, user-friendly with easy-to-follow directions. Second, earlier today—a MONDAY—I received the nicest, most customer-friendly phone call I have ever received from any government employee to clarify my email request. DONNA was polite, helpful, and an absolute godsend in assisting me in getting the correct document in the quickest way possible. I do hope Judge Winkler appreciates this wonderful employee who went above and beyond to accommodate me, a complete stranger. Donna deserves an Atta-girl commendation of some sort to honor her exemplary service as the front-line representative of Judge Winkler’s office. In an age of seemingly voiceless, faceless government and fears of AI takeover, the reassuring personal contact with Donna was gratefully appreciated by this customer."

"This probate system for mental health is a failure to our loved ones"

"This courthouse refused to give Sharon from bativa time to mail my written request. She had to use her personal time that her employer will not reimburse to send my marriage license by written request. DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE. The courthouse made Sharon use her own personal time to send out my mail request. This happened today approx 3p. What this courthouse is doing is illegal. They are making their employees work on their own time. THEY WILL NOT SEND OUT A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE as they are “short handed” and will not allow the employees do their job duties, but will make their employees use their “break time” to send out written requests. My lawyer is informing the supervisor, Melissa Pierce, of this illegal practice, in writing, as we speak. This office also co mingled funds and ordered/sent documents I did NOT request. WHAT THIS OFFICE IS DOING IS ILLEGAL. Please, do not send in written requests for marriage license because the employees are forced to use their personal time to send out the requests."

"My husband and I came here to get our Marriage License on 10/31/18. Both of the clerks we dealt with were absolutely wonderful and so sweet. It was really nice to sit there and have a pleasant conversation with someone instead of just "doing business as usual"."