George Boyle
In the state of Ohio, US, a marriage license can be obtained from the probate court in the county where one of the parties resides. Both parties must be present at the time of application and must present a valid photo ID. 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. The marriage ceremony can be conducted by an ordained minister, a probate court judge, a municipal court judge, the mayor of a municipal corporation, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society. The ceremony can take any form as long as it includes verbal consent from both parties and a pronouncement of marriage. Ohio does not recognize same-sex marriages or marriages where either party has a spouse living.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can perform the wedding ceremony? | An ordained minister of any religious society or congregation within the state licensed to perform marriages; the probate court judge or any other judge appointed as a probate judge; a judge of a municipal court; the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies; the superintendent of the state school for the deaf; or any religious society, in conformity with the rules and regulations of its church. |
| Who can get married in Ohio? | Only one man and one woman may be joined in marriage. Minors may marry in the state if they are at least 17 and have juvenile court approval. If only one spouse is 17, then the couple may also seek consent to marry as long as the other person is not over the age of 21. |
| Where to get a marriage license? | The probate court in the county where you intend to be married. |
| Who must be present when applying for a marriage license? | Both parties must be present to receive a marriage license. |
| What documents are required when applying for a marriage license? | Both parties must have a valid picture ID reflecting the name that is entered on the marriage license application. If either applicant has been married before, then a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce (or Dissolution) must be presented. If either applicant is a widow or widower, a death certificate is not required. |
| How soon must the marriage license be returned to the Probate Court? | The completed marriage license must be returned within 30 days from the wedding to be in compliance with Ohio Law. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license requirements
To obtain a marriage license in Ohio, both parties must visit the probate court of the county where one of them lives. If neither party is a resident of Ohio, the marriage license application must be made in the county where the marriage will take place.
Both parties must have a valid photo ID that reflects the name entered on the marriage license application. Each person must also present documentary proof of age. If one or both parties have been married before, the application must include the names of the parties to the previous marriage(s) and the names of any children under the age of 18. If either party has been divorced, the places, dates, and case numbers of the divorces must be provided, along with a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree.
The marriage license must be returned to the probate court within 30 days of the wedding to be in compliance with Ohio law. It is typically the couple's responsibility to return the marriage license, although some states require this to be done by the minister.
The officiant is responsible for handling and filling out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses on the wedding day.
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Who can perform the ceremony
In Ohio, the wedding officiant has the responsibility to ensure the completed marriage license is returned to the issuing court within 30 days of the ceremony. The officiant must also fill out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any witnesses.
The following people can perform wedding ceremonies in Ohio:
- A probate court judge in the county where the probate judge presides
- 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 county)
- The superintendent of the state school for the deaf
- Any religious society in conformity with the rules of its church
- A minister of American Marriage Ministries
- Universal Life Church ministers
It is important to note that the designation "Religious" and "Civil" mean something different to the Ohio Government. "Civil" is a designation for government officials, and everything else is considered "Religious", even if there are no religious references in the wedding.
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Previous marriages
If either or both parties have been married before, the names of the parties involved in the previous marriage(s) must be included in the application, as well as the names of any children under the age of 18. Divorced applicants must also provide the places, dates, and case numbers of their previous divorces, along with a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree. If the previous marriage ended due to the spouse's death, a certified copy of the death certificate must be provided.
In the state of Ohio, the Probate Court is the only agency with the authority to issue marriage licenses. A marriage license can be obtained from the Probate Court of the county where one or the other party lives. If neither party resides in Ohio, the application must be made in the county where the marriage will take place. Both parties must be present at the Probate Court office to sign the license when it is issued, and each must present a valid photo ID that matches the name entered on the marriage license application. The fee for a marriage license is $42, payable in cash at the time of the application.
The completed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the wedding to be in compliance with Ohio law. It is typically the couple's responsibility to return the license, although some states require this to be done by the minister. The officiant is responsible for filling out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses.
In Ohio, a marriage can be solemnized by a probate court judge, the mayor of a city, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society in conformity with the rules of its church.
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Minors seeking marriage
In Ohio, the minimum age for marriage is 18. However, exceptions can be made for minors aged 17 who obtain judicial consent from a juvenile court and complete a 14-day waiting period. In these cases, the other party to the marriage must be no more than four years older than the 17-year-old. This requirement aims to prevent exploitative age gaps and ensure minors enter marriage voluntarily. Courts evaluate factors such as maturity, financial independence, and understanding of marital responsibilities.
Ohio has taken steps to address child marriage, with legislative changes in 2019 strengthening the requirements for minors seeking marriage. Previously, the state allowed younger minors, aged 14 and above, to marry with only parental and judicial approval. The recent changes now mandate judicial oversight, requiring 17-year-olds to obtain consent from a juvenile court judge.
Despite these efforts, child marriages remain fairly common in Ohio. Between 2000 and 2015, several underage marriages were approved in Clark County, with judges issuing marriage licenses to 15-year-old girls and adult men. These cases highlight the ongoing challenge of preventing underage marriages and protecting minors from potential abuse or coercion.
To obtain a marriage license in Ohio, both parties must visit the probate court of the county where one of them lives. If neither party is an Ohio resident, they must apply in the county where the marriage will take place. The process requires valid picture identification, and the presence of both parties is essential. Once the license is issued, it is valid statewide, providing flexibility in choosing the wedding location.
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Marriage license return
In Ohio, a marriage license is valid for 60 days. If you don't get married within this period, you will need to restart the process and obtain a new license.
To obtain a marriage license, both individuals in a couple must be present at a probate court. There are 88 probate courts in Ohio, and each of these is the only state agency authorized to issue a marriage license. You will need to go to the probate court of the county where one of you lives. If neither of you is an Ohio resident, you must apply in the county where the marriage will take place.
After the ceremony, the officiant will need to return the marriage license to the court within 30 days of the wedding. This must be done by mail to verify that the marriage was legally performed. The specific instructions on how to return the marriage license should be included with the marriage license when it is issued. If these instructions are not included, you can call the issuance office for further clarification. The court will provide a pre-addressed envelope to return the license in.
Once the license is filed, the couple is legally married in the eyes of the state of Ohio. The county will issue a marriage certificate, which serves as legal proof of marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, both parties must be present at the probate court county office to sign the license at the time it is issued.
If either applicant has been married before, then a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce (or Dissolution) must be presented. If the divorce was granted outside the US, the copy of the decree presented should have the proper stamps and signatures showing it was entered in the Court.
Minors may marry in the state if they are at least 17 and have juvenile court approval. If only one spouse is 17, then the couple may also seek consent to marry as long as the other person is not over the age of 21.
The wedding ceremony can be performed by an Ordained Minister of any religious society or congregation within the state licensed to perform marriages; the Probate Court Judge or any other Judge appointed as a Probate Judge; a Judge of a Municipal Court; the Mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies, the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf; or any religious society, in conformity with the rules and regulations of its church.
