A Courthouse Wedding: Can Your Family Attend?

If you're looking to get married in a courthouse in Toledo, Ohio, you can obtain a marriage license from the Lucas County Probate Court. The cost of the marriage license is $60, payable in cash only, and you will need to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID, as well as a certified birth certificate if you are under the age of 21. There is no waiting period, so you can get married the same day, and your marriage license will be valid for 60 days. While there is no requirement for blood tests or witnesses, you will need an officiant to perform the ceremony, and this can be a judge or an ordained minister. So, can you bring your family to a courthouse wedding in Toledo, Ohio? While there is no mention of a limit on guests, it is worth noting that Fridays are normally very busy with lengthy waits, so you may want to consider a different day of the week for your special occasion.

Marriage license requirements

Marriage licenses are issued by the probate court in each of Ohio's 88 counties. In Toledo, Ohio, marriage licenses are issued at the Lucas County Courthouse, located on 700 Adams Street. The Marriage License Office is on the first floor, and the office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The cost of obtaining a marriage license in Toledo is $60, payable in cash only. Both applicants must be present together in the office at the time of the application and must have valid, government-issued photo IDs. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Social security numbers are requested but not mandatory.

If either applicant is under the age of 21, they must present a certified birth certificate listing their parents' names. The legal age to obtain a marriage license without parental consent is 18. If either applicant is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, a marriage license will not be issued.

If either applicant has been married previously, they must present a copy of the final Decree of Divorce, Dissolution, or Annulment, signed by a judge and filed for the record with the court. If the applicant is a widow or widower, they must present a certified copy of the Death Certificate, listing them as the surviving spouse.

Ohio residents must apply for a marriage license in the county where one of the applicants resides. Non-residents may apply for a marriage license in Lucas County, but the marriage ceremony must also take place in Lucas County. There is no waiting period, and the marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

The marriage license fee varies by county, ranging from $36 to $76. Accepted forms of payment also vary by county and may include cash, money orders, or credit cards.

Courthouse location and hours

The Lucas County Courthouse is located on 700 Adams Street in downtown Toledo, Ohio. The Marriage License Office is on the first floor, and marriage licenses are issued on the second floor. The courthouse is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed on weekends and legal holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving.

No appointments are taken, and Fridays tend to be very busy with long wait times. The cost of obtaining a marriage license is $60, payable in cash only. The Marriage License Office does not accept checks, credit cards, or money orders.

The Lucas County Probate Court Marriage License Office is located at 700 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604.

If you are hearing or speech impaired and require an interpreter, the Court can provide one. However, you must make arrangements with the interpreter before obtaining your marriage license by calling the Marriage License Office at (419)213-4361.

If you do not speak English, you must bring a translator with you when applying for a marriage license. The translator must be at least 18 years old, cannot be related to either applicant, and must have a valid government-issued photo ID.

Cost of a marriage license

The cost of a marriage license in Toledo, Ohio, is $60, payable in cash only. This is within the range of $36 to $76 for a marriage license in the state of Ohio, which varies by county.

To obtain a marriage license in Toledo, you must visit the Lucas County Probate Court Marriage License Office, located on the first floor of the Lucas County Courthouse at 700 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed on weekends and legal holidays.

When applying for a marriage license, both applicants must be present together in the office, and each must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID). Additionally, a social security number must be provided, although it is not mandatory. If either applicant is under the age of 21, a certified birth certificate listing the parent's names must be presented. If either applicant was previously married, a copy of the final Decree of Divorce, Dissolution, or Annulment signed by a judge must be provided. If the applicant is a widow or widower, a certified copy of the Death Certificate listing the applicant as the surviving spouse is required.

It is important to note that there is no waiting period in Lucas County, and a marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

Valid forms of ID

To get married in Toledo, Ohio, you will need to bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. This can be:

• A driver's license
• A state ID card
• A passport
• A military ID
• A visa

If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring your birth certificate and social security card instead. If your ID does not show your address, you will also need to bring proof of address, such as a utility bill.

Who can officiate a wedding

According to the Lucas County Clerk's website, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies in Toledo, Ohio:

> "An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state who is licensed through the office of the Secretary of the State of Ohio, the probate judge, or a judge of a municipal court may solemnize marriages."

This means that, in addition to ordained ministers, the following people can officiate weddings:

• A county court judge (they can perform the marriage anywhere in the state, not just in the county where they are a judge)
• A municipal court judge (likewise, they can perform the marriage anywhere in the state, not just in the municipality where they are a judge)
• A probate court judge (only in the county where they are a judge)
• The mayor of a city (anywhere in the county where their city lies. If a city straddles two counties, they could perform the marriage in either)
• The superintendent of the state school for the deaf

If you are not a judge or a religious leader, you can get ordained through an organisation like American Marriage Ministries (AMM) to become a licensed minister and solemnise marriages in the state of Ohio.

How to get ordained to officiate a wedding in Toledo, Ohio

If you want to officiate a wedding in Toledo, Ohio, and you are not already a judge or religious leader, you can get ordained through an organisation like AMM. The process is free and only takes a few minutes. After that, you need to register with the office of the Ohio Secretary of State by filling out a one-page form and including a copy of your new ministerial credentials and a $10 check or money order. Once you've submitted this, you can perform weddings in Ohio.

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