Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Ohio: Family Edition

If you're looking to have a family member officiate your wedding in Ohio, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, marriage laws vary from state to state, so it's important to understand the specific requirements in Ohio. In Ohio, only a duly ordained or licensed minister who is registered with the Secretary of State, a judge, a mayor, or the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf may solemnize a marriage. This means that your family member would need to meet these requirements to be able to legally officiate your wedding.

Additionally, there are specific rules governing marriage licenses in Ohio. The wedding officiant is responsible for ensuring that the completed license is returned to the issuing court within 30 days of the ceremony. Marriage licenses in Ohio are only valid for 60 days after they are issued, so it's important to plan accordingly.

By following these guidelines, your family member can legally officiate your wedding in Ohio, ensuring that your special day is both memorable and compliant with state laws.

Who can officiate a wedding in Ohio?

In Ohio, a wedding can be officiated by a judge, a mayor, or the superintendent of the State School for the Deaf. Additionally, religious actors from all faiths can perform weddings in the state, as long as they have the proper licensing. This includes ministers ordained online by the Universal Life Church, who are legally recognised to perform marriages in Ohio.

How to become a wedding officiant in Ohio

To become a wedding officiant in Ohio, you must be at least 18 years old and need to be ordained online. You can then register with the Secretary of State by providing a letter of good standing and a copy of your credentials. The Secretary of State will issue a license that allows the officiant to perform weddings.

The officiant's duties

The wedding officiant has two main duties: conducting the wedding ceremony and completing the marriage license. The marriage license must be returned to the Probate Court within 30 days of the ceremony.

How to get ordained in Ohio

If you're looking to officiate a wedding in Ohio, you'll need to get ordained and register with the state. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Get Ordained

The first step is to get ordained online. You can do this by finding a website that offers online ordinations that reflect your values. Some popular options include American Marriage Ministries, Universal Life Church, and Open Ministry. These organizations typically provide free ordinations, and the process is usually straightforward and quick.

Step 2: Contact the County Clerk

Once you're ordained, reach out to the office of your local marriage authority, typically the county clerk in Ohio. Let them know that you're an ordained minister and ask about any specific requirements or documentation they may need from you to officiate a wedding in their county. Some counties may require a physical copy of your ordination record, so it's good to have that on hand.

Step 3: Obtain Your Ordination Credentials

After contacting the county clerk, you'll want to obtain physical copies of your official credentials. This usually includes documents such as your Letter of Good Standing and Ordination Certificate. These credentials provide peace of mind to couples and are often required by the county clerk's office.

Step 4: Register with the Ohio Secretary of State

In Ohio, ministers are required to register at the state level, not the county level. You'll need to submit your Official Ordination Certificate or Letter of Good Standing, along with a completed Application for Minister's License to Perform Marriage, and a $10 check or money order payable to the "Ohio Secretary of State". The application is a simple one-page document with basic information such as your name, address, email, and phone number.

The Ohio Secretary of State's contact information is as follows:

Minister Licensing

Ohio Secretary of State

22 North Fourth Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8770

Toll-Free: (877) SOS-FILE (877-767-3453)

Email: [email protected]

Step 5: Prepare for the Wedding

Once you've completed the registration process, you're ready to perform the wedding! Be sure to coordinate with the couple to ensure they have obtained their Ohio marriage license from the appropriate probate court. The marriage license is valid for 60 days, and there is no mandatory waiting period between when it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. However, the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony.

As the officiant, you'll also need to know the rules regarding marriage licenses in Ohio. For example, you'll sign the marriage license along with the couple and their two witnesses, and your title will be "minister," the ceremony type is "religious," and the denomination is "non-denominational."

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to becoming a licensed minister in Ohio and will be able to officiate weddings for your friends and family or anyone else who needs your services!

Officiant registration process in Ohio

Get ordained online

To officiate a wedding in Ohio, you must be ordained. You can do this online through websites such as The Provenance Center or American Marriage Ministries. Most churches offering online ordinations are free, though some charge fees.

Register with the Ohio Secretary of State

Once ordained, you must register with the Ohio Secretary of State by submitting your ordination credentials and a letter of good standing from your ordaining body, along with your Minister License Application. The application is a simple one-page document, with self-explanatory fields. The registration fee is $10, payable by check or money order to the "Ohio Secretary of State".

The Ohio Secretary of State prefers that you submit your application by mail to the following address:

> Ohio Secretary of State Minister’s License

> 180 East Broad Street, Suite 103

> Columbus, OH 43215

Receive your license

After your documents have been verified, you will receive a license that allows you to officiate weddings in Ohio.

Verify the marriage license

Before the wedding ceremony, ask the couple to present their marriage license and confirm that it is valid.

Conduct the ceremony

Both members of the couple must be physically present and must verbally consent to the marriage. The ceremony does not require witnesses, but the officiant must attest to the couple's consent.

Complete the marriage certificate

After the ceremony, complete the marriage certificate with your name, official title, and the name of your ordaining body.

File the marriage certificate

Return the completed certificate to the probate court that issued the marriage license within 30 days of the ceremony.

What are an officiant's duties in Ohio?

In Ohio, a wedding officiant's duties are twofold. The first duty is to conduct the wedding ceremony, which is a non-legal duty. The second duty is to complete the marriage license, which is a legal duty.

Conducting the Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony can take any form as long as it includes the couple consenting verbally to the marriage and a pronouncement of the couple as a married couple. The officiant must be physically present at the ceremony. Marriage by proxy or marriages with the officiant not physically present are not valid in the state.

Completing the Marriage License

The officiant must handle the marriage license on the wedding day. This involves asking the couple to present their marriage license, confirming that the marriage license is valid, completing and signing the marriage license, and returning the marriage license to the probate court. The officiant must fill out their portion of the license and sign it with the couple. The license must be returned to the probate court within 30 days of the wedding.

What is the cost of officiating a wedding in Ohio?

In Ohio, a wedding officiant has two main duties: conducting the wedding ceremony and completing the marriage license. While the former is a non-legal duty, the latter is a legal duty.

To become a wedding officiant in Ohio, you need to be a licensed or ordained minister registered with the Secretary of State of Ohio, a judge, a mayor, or the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf. To get licensed, you need to get ordained online. This can be done by finding a website that offers online ordinations that reflect your values. While some churches charge exorbitant fees, many are free. Once ordained, you need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State by submitting your Official Ordination Certificate or Letter of Good Standing, a completed Application for Minister's License to Perform Marriage, and a $10 check or money order payable to the "Ohio Secretary of State".

The cost of officiating a wedding in Ohio, therefore, is at least $10, which is the cost of registering with the Ohio Secretary of State. However, if you decide to get ordained through an organization that charges a fee, the cost of officiating a wedding in the state will be higher.

Frequently asked questions