Magistrates Performing Weddings: Ohio's Unique Marriage Law

If you're planning a wedding in Ohio, you'll need to know who can legally marry you. So, can a magistrate perform weddings in Ohio?

Who can perform weddings in Ohio?

In Ohio, weddings can be performed by a variety of individuals, including religious and non-religious officiants. Here is a detailed overview of who can legally officiate a wedding in the state of Ohio:

Religious Officiants:

Ohio recognizes marriages performed by ordained or licensed ministers of any religious society or congregation within the state, provided they are licensed to solemnize marriages. This includes ministers from all faiths, such as the Universal Life Church, as long as they have the proper licensing. To obtain this licensing, ministers must register with the state by providing a letter of good standing and/or a copy of their credentials to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will then issue a license that allows them to perform weddings in Ohio.

Non-Religious Officiants:

For those seeking a non-religious wedding ceremony, Ohio allows judges, mayors, and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf to perform weddings. These individuals are authorized by the state to solemnize marriages and do not require additional licensing.

Online Ordination:

It is important to note that individuals who obtain their credentials through online ordination can also perform weddings in Ohio, regardless of their religious beliefs or gender. However, similar to ministers, they must register with the Secretary of State and provide their credentials and letters of good standing to receive a special license to perform weddings in the state.

Other Considerations:

While Ohio offers a range of options for wedding officiants, it is crucial to ensure that the chosen officiant is licensed within the state. It is the responsibility of the couple to verify the officiant's licensing status. Additionally, after the wedding ceremony, the officiant and the couple must complete a marriage certificate, which the officiant must return to the courts within 30 days.

What are the requirements to become a wedding officiant in Ohio?

To become a wedding officiant in Ohio, you must be an ordained minister. You can achieve this by getting ordained online through websites such as Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. Once ordained, you will need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State by submitting:

• Your Official Ordination Certificate or Letter of Good Standing
• Your Completed Application for Minister’s License to Perform Marriage
• A $10 check or money order payable to the "Ohio Secretary of State"

After becoming registered, ministers are able to travel anywhere in the state to perform ceremonies.

As a wedding officiant in Ohio, it is your legal responsibility to fill out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. You will need to ask the couple to present their marriage license, confirm that it is valid, complete and sign the marriage license, and return the marriage license to the probate court.

What is the process to obtain a marriage license in Ohio?

To obtain a marriage license in Ohio, both parties must go to the probate court in the county where one of them lives. If neither party is a resident of Ohio, they must apply in the county where the marriage will take place. The process is as follows:

• Complete the marriage license application: This can be done online or in person at the probate court office. Both parties must be present and have valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. Other acceptable forms of ID include visas, birth certificates, and government-issued ID cards.
• Pay the fee: The cost of a marriage license varies by county but is typically around $50-$75. Some counties accept cash, money orders, or credit cards, while others only take cash. There may be additional fees for using a credit card.
• Provide required documents: If either party has been previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree must be presented, along with the names of any children under 18 from that marriage. If either party is a widow or widower, a death certificate is not required.
• Swear an oath: Both parties must swear or affirm that all information provided is true and correct.
• Sign the license: Both parties must sign their full names, including middle names, on the actual marriage license.
• Receive the license: Once all requirements are met, the clerk will issue the marriage license. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance and must be returned to the probate court within 30 days of the wedding.

It is important to note that Ohio does not have a waiting period, so couples can get married on the same day they receive their marriage license. However, the marriage must take place within the 60-day validity period of the license.

What is the legal age to marry in Ohio?

In Ohio, the minimum age to marry is 18 years old. This is the same as the general marriage age in the US, with the exception of Nebraska, where it is 19, and Mississippi, where it is 21.

Ohio law allows minors to marry with judicial consent, but they must be at least 17 years old. The age difference between the two parties must not be more than four years, and the couple must also obtain a marriage license from the Probate Court in their county. This license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

The state does not restrict weddings based on gender, religion, or other characteristics, except age.

What is the process to get a marriage certificate in Ohio?

To get a marriage certificate in Ohio, there are a few steps you must follow. Firstly, you must apply for a marriage license from the probate court in the county where one of you lives. If neither of you lives in Ohio, you must apply in the county where the marriage will take place. Both applicants must be present when applying for the license, and each must provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or visa. The fee for the license varies by county but is typically around $75, and cash or credit cards are usually accepted.

If either applicant has been married before, a certified copy of the divorce decree must be presented, along with the names of any children under 18. If either applicant is widowed, a death certificate is not required. The couple must also provide their parents' names, including the mother's maiden name, and their Social Security numbers if they have them.

Once you have obtained the marriage license, there is no waiting period, and you can get married the same day. However, the license is only valid for 60 days, so the wedding must take place within this time frame. After the ceremony, the wedding officiant is responsible for returning the completed license to the probate court within 30 days. This will ensure the court can record the marriage on time.

Frequently asked questions