Officiating Your Own Wedding In Ohio: Is It Legal?

If you're planning to officiate your own wedding in Ohio, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, you'll need to become ordained as a minister, which can be done online through organisations like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. This will give you the legal authority to solemnize marriages in the state. Once ordained, you'll need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State as a minister, and you may be required to show documents verifying your ordination status. After registering, you'll be qualified to perform ceremonies anywhere in the state. In addition to ordination and registration, you'll also need to familiarise yourself with Ohio's marriage license laws and ensure that you properly handle and complete the marriage license during the wedding ceremony.

Who can officiate a wedding in Ohio?

In Ohio, only a few specific people are authorised to officiate weddings. These include:

• An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within the state who is licensed to solemnise marriages
• A judge of a county court, a municipal court, or a probate judge
• The mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such a corporation wholly or partly lies
• The superintendent of the state school for the deaf
• Any religious society in conformity with the rules of its church

Ministers must register at the state level, not the county level, and can then travel anywhere in the state to perform ceremonies. To obtain a license to solemnise marriages, an ordained or licensed minister must complete a Minister License Application and submit the proper credentials and filing fee.

Online ordination

It is possible to become an ordained minister online through organisations such as the Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries. These online ordinations are often free, fast, and easy, and give the legal authority to officiate weddings in Ohio.

How to get ordained in Ohio

Check the requirements

Before you get ordained, it's important to check the requirements for officiating a wedding in Ohio. You must be at least 18 years old and able to present an official ordination certificate or letter of good standing. You will also need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State and may be asked to show additional documentation to verify your ordination status.

Get ordained online

To get ordained online, simply find a website that offers online ordinations that reflect your values. While some churches charge fees for this service, many are free. American Marriage Ministries, for example, is a popular option as it is free, set up for this purpose, and is the only IRS-certified 501c3 charitable organization that offers online ordinations.

Register with the Ohio Secretary of State

Once you are an ordained minister, you will need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State. This can be done by submitting your official ordination certificate or letter of good standing, a completed application for a 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 self-explanatory fields. The "Religious Society or Congregation" field should be filled in with the name of the church through which you were ordained.

Order your ministry credentials

You can order your official ministry credentials, including your ordination certificate and letter of good standing, from the church through which you were ordained. For example, if you were ordained with American Marriage Ministries, you can order their Minister Ordination Package, which also includes a partially completed Ohio Minister's License to Perform Marriage.

Submit your application

The Ohio Secretary of State prefers that you submit your application by mail. Along with the completed application, include your letter of good standing and a check or money order for $10. Send your application to:

> Ohio Secretary of State Minister's License

> 180 East Broad Street, Suite 103

> Columbus, OH 43215

Approval of your application should take no more than two to three days from the time it is received. Factoring in shipping time, allow for about a week before you hear back. If you have not heard back within this time frame, or if you have any other questions, you can contact the Ohio Secretary of State's office at (614) 466-8770 or toll-free at (877) SOS-FILE (877-767-3453).

Prepare for the wedding

Once you have completed the above steps, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has obtained their Ohio marriage license from the appropriate probate court. Marriage licenses in Ohio are valid for 60 days, and there is no mandatory waiting period between when the couple receives the license and when the ceremony can be legally performed. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony. As the officiant, you will need to fill out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. Your official title will be "Minister", the ceremony type is "Religious", and the denomination is "Non-Denominational".

What are the duties of an officiant?

While the specific duties of a wedding officiant may vary depending on the type of officiant and the couple's preferences, here is a comprehensive overview of the key duties and responsibilities typically associated with this role:

Before the Wedding

One of the essential duties of a wedding officiant is to ensure that the couple has obtained a valid marriage license. This involves guiding the couple through the process, reminding them of deadlines, and checking that the license is valid before the wedding day. Additionally, the officiant should meet with the couple to discuss their vision and expectations for the ceremony, including the tone, traditions, readings, and whether they want it to be funny or heartfelt.

During the Rehearsal

The wedding officiant plays a crucial role in leading the wedding party at the ceremony rehearsal. This includes briefing the wedding party on their roles, such as when to walk down the aisle and where to stand. The officiant ensures that everyone is prepared and that the ceremony will run smoothly.

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, the officiant conducts the wedding ceremony. This involves following the couple's desired flow and incorporating any special requests. The officiant also ensures that the legal requirements are met, including the declaration of intent ("Do you take...?") and the pronouncement of the couple as married.

After the Ceremony

Following the ceremony, the wedding officiant is responsible for signing the marriage license and returning it to the appropriate authority, such as the probate court or the city/county clerk. This step is crucial in finalising the marriage and making it official.

In addition to these legal duties, a good officiant will also act as a "mirror" of the couple's desires and expectations, providing support and reassurance throughout the process. They help define the flow of the ceremony, adding their own touches if needed, and giving the couple a sense of timing and structure.

Overall, the duties of a wedding officiant extend beyond simply conducting the ceremony. They play a vital role in ensuring that the couple's vision is realised, that the legal requirements are met, and that the entire process runs smoothly from start to finish.

What is the process to officiate a wedding?

In Ohio, ministers must register at the state level. To do this, you must contact the Ohio Secretary of State's office, identify yourself as a minister, and ask about the registration process. You may be asked to show documents to verify your ordination status. After registering, ministers can perform ceremonies anywhere in the state.

Once you have your minister license, you can officiate a wedding in Ohio. Here are the basic steps:

Check County Marriage Laws

Check the marriage laws in the county where the wedding will take place.

Acquire an Ohio Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Ohio are issued by county probate courts and will be picked up by the couple. However, as the officiant, it is your responsibility to understand the entire process and the specific rules surrounding marriage in that county.

Perform the Ceremony

With all the paperwork in order, you can perform the wedding.

Sign the Marriage License

After performing the wedding, you must sign the marriage license. Your official title will be "Minister"; for ceremony type, put "Religious", and for denomination, write "Non-Denominational". For the address, put your own address or that of your personal ministry. Do not put the address of ULC.

Return the Marriage License to the Probate Court

The signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office before the deadline passes. In Ohio, the completed marriage license must be returned within 30 days of the wedding.

How to get a marriage license in Ohio?

To obtain a marriage license in Ohio, you must follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Check the Requirements

First, ensure that you meet the basic requirements to apply for a marriage license in Ohio. Both applicants must be present when submitting the application, have valid photo identification (e.g., driver's license, passport), and be able to provide their full names, including middle names. Additionally, if either applicant has been previously married, they must present a certified copy of the divorce decree or dissolution.

Step 2: Identify the Correct Probate Court

Marriage licenses in Ohio are issued by the probate court in each of the state's 88 counties. If both applicants are Ohio residents, they must apply in the county where they reside. For out-of-state residents getting married in Ohio, the application should be submitted in the county where the marriage will take place.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Both applicants need to complete and submit the marriage license application to the identified probate court. This can often be initiated online to expedite the process, but both applicants must still appear in person at the probate court office to sign the license and provide the necessary documentation.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

There is typically a fee for the marriage license, which varies by county but is generally more than $40. Accepted payment methods also differ by county, with some accepting cash, credit cards, money orders, or a combination of these.

Step 5: Receive the Marriage License

After submitting the application and paying the fee, the couple will receive their marriage license. This license is typically valid for 60 days, and there is no waiting period before the marriage can be solemnized.

Step 6: Return the Signed License

After the marriage ceremony, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing probate court within 30 days. This is usually the responsibility of the couple, but some states require the officiant to return the license.

It is important to note that the process may vary slightly between counties in Ohio, so it is always a good idea to check with the specific probate court for any unique requirements or procedures.

Frequently asked questions