Deborah Chan
If you're planning to get married in Ohio, you'll need to obtain a marriage license from the probate court in the county where you reside or plan to marry. The marriage license serves as your application to get married and must be signed and returned. After the ceremony, the officiant has 30 days to return the marriage license to the court to verify the marriage. So, how long does it take to receive your marriage certificate after the wedding? While the exact timing may vary, you can expect to receive your certified copy of the marriage license by mail within a reasonable timeframe after the license is filed, legally recognizing your marriage in the state of Ohio.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Waiting period between receiving the marriage license and the wedding | None |
| Validity of the marriage license | 60 days |
| Time to return the marriage license after the wedding | 30 days |
| Time to get a marriage certificate | Not mentioned |
| Place to get a marriage license | Probate court in the county where the wedding is intended to take place |
| Cost of the marriage license | $40 to $75 |
| Documents required | Birth certificate, passport, government-issued IDs (driver's license, visa, etc.), social security number, proof of address, divorce papers (if applicable) |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license application process
The marriage license application process in Ohio involves several steps and requirements that must be met by the applicants. Here is a detailed guide on the marriage license application process:
Residency Requirements
Ohio residents planning to marry in Ohio must apply for their marriage license in the county where they reside. If one or both partners are not Ohio residents but wish to marry in Ohio, they must apply in the county where the marriage will be solemnized. If both partners are out-of-state residents marrying in Ohio, they must apply in the county where the marriage will take place.
Where to Apply
Marriage licenses are issued by the probate court in each of Ohio's 88 counties. Applicants should contact or check the website of the relevant probate court to obtain specific information about the application process and requirements.
Application Process
Both applicants must be present when submitting the marriage license application. They must each provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or visa. The fee for the license is typically $75, payable in cash or by credit card (with an additional fee). Checks are not accepted. The applicants' Social Security numbers will also be required during the process.
If either applicant has been married before, a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or Dissolution must be presented. Applicants must also provide the names of the parties involved in the previous marriage and the names of any children under 18 from that marriage.
It is important to note that there is no waiting period after submitting the application. The marriage ceremony can be performed as soon as the license is obtained. The license is valid for 60 days, and if the marriage does not take place within this period, a new license must be obtained, including paying the fees again.
Who Can Perform the Marriage Ceremony
In Ohio, marriages can be solemnized by an Ordained Minister of any religious society or congregation licensed to perform marriages within the state. Other authorized individuals include a Probate Court Judge, any Judge appointed as a Probate Judge, a Judge of a Municipal Court, the Mayor of a municipal corporation, or the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf. It is the couple's responsibility to ensure that the officiant is licensed in Ohio.
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Where to apply
To obtain a marriage license in Ohio, couples should apply at the probate court in the county where they live or plan to marry. Ohio has 88 counties, and each has a probate court that is authorised to issue marriage licenses.
For Ohio residents, the process is straightforward. Both individuals must visit the probate court in the county where either or both applicants reside. If one applicant lives in Ohio but the other does not, the couple should still apply in the Ohio resident's county.
For out-of-state applicants, the process is slightly different. If neither applicant is an Ohio resident, they must apply for a marriage license in the county where the marriage will be performed.
Some counties allow couples to pre-register their application online to save time. However, both individuals must be present at the court in person to receive the marriage license.
The probate court in Hamilton County, for example, is located on the 9th floor of the William Howard Taft Law Center at 230 East 9th Street. It is open for business Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
It is important to note that the application fee and accepted payment methods may vary by county. The fee is generally between $40 and $75, and some counties may only accept cash or money orders, while others may also accept credit cards.
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Who can perform the ceremony
In Ohio, there are specific requirements for who can legally perform a wedding ceremony. The state does not allow just anyone to officiate a wedding. The ceremony must be performed by an ordained minister of any religious society or congregation within the state who is licensed to perform marriages. This includes Universal Life Church ministers, who have legal recognition in Ohio to perform weddings. The wedding can also be officiated by a probate court judge, any judge appointed as a probate judge, a judge of a municipal court, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county, or the superintendent of the State School for the Deaf. If the couple wishes to have a religious ceremony, it can be performed by any religious society, in conformity with the rules and regulations of its church.
It is important to note that the couple is responsible for ensuring that the person they choose to officiate their wedding is licensed to do so in the state of Ohio. The officiant has the duty to ensure that the completed marriage license is returned to the issuing court within 30 days of the ceremony. This will ensure that the court can record the marriage on time.
To obtain a marriage license in Ohio, the couple must apply at the probate court in the county where one of them lives. If neither of the couple is an Ohio resident, they must apply in the county where the marriage will take place. The license will include various pieces of information about the couple, such as their names, address, and parents' names. It will also include the name of the person who will be officiating the ceremony. The fee for the license varies by county but is typically around $40-$80, and it must be paid in cash or by credit card.
Once the couple has obtained their marriage license, they can get married the same day if they wish. The marriage license is valid for 60 days, and the ceremony must take place within this time frame. The wedding ceremony can take any form as long as it includes the couple's verbal consent to the marriage and a pronouncement of them as a married couple. Witnesses are not required, but the officiant must be physically present; proxy marriages are not valid in Ohio.
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Validity of the license
The validity of a marriage license in Ohio is dependent on several factors, including residency, previous marriages, and the presence of both applicants. Here is a detailed overview of the requirements for obtaining a valid marriage license in the state of Ohio:
Residency Requirements
Ohio residents planning to marry within the state must apply for their marriage license in the county where they reside. On the other hand, if Ohio residents intend to marry outside of Ohio, they must apply for their marriage license in the state or country of their intended marriage. Out-of-state residents who wish to marry in Ohio must apply for their license in the county where the marriage will take place.
Previous Marriages
If either applicant has been married before, it is mandatory to present a certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or Dissolution during the application process. Additionally, the names of the parties involved in the previous marriage(s) and the names of any children under the age of 18 must be disclosed.
Presence of Both Applicants
Typically, both applicants must be present when applying for the marriage license. However, exceptions may apply in certain legal circumstances.
Valid Identification
Each applicant is required to present valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or visa. The ID must display the same name that will be entered on the marriage license application.
Validity Period of the License
Marriage licenses in Ohio are valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issuance. If the marriage ceremony does not take place within this timeframe, the license expires, and the applicants must reapply and pay the associated fees again.
Authorized Officiants
Not everyone is authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in Ohio. Legally recognized officiants include ordained ministers of any religious society or congregation licensed in Ohio, probate court judges, municipal court judges, mayors of municipal corporations, and the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf. It is the couple's responsibility to ensure that their chosen officiant is licensed to perform marriages in the state.
Application Fee
The fee for a marriage license in Ohio is typically $75, payable in cash or by credit card (with an additional fee). Some counties may also accept money orders.
It is recommended to contact or visit the website of the probate court in the relevant county to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the marriage license process and requirements.
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What to do after the ceremony
Once the wedding ceremony is complete, there are a few important steps to finalise the process. Firstly, confirm that the marriage license has been signed and returned to the Probate Court. This is typically the responsibility of the couple, but in some states, it must be returned by the minister. The marriage license should be returned to the Probate Court in the county where it was issued. It is important to do this as soon as possible, as marriage licenses are only valid for 60 days after being issued.
Next, make arrangements to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate for your own records. This is the official document that confirms the legality of the marriage. It is important to keep this document safe, as it may be needed for various administrative purposes in the future. Additionally, it is a good idea to save a picture of the marriage license for your records. This will allow you to easily refer to the names and dates recorded on the original document.
It is also recommended to take some time to record the wedding ceremony and share the occasion with other wedding officiants. This can be done through various online platforms dedicated to sharing wedding ceremonies and stories. It is a unique and momentous occasion, so it is worth preserving and celebrating.
Finally, as a practical matter, ensure that the couple understands that they are not legally married until the marriage license is returned and the marriage certificate is issued. While it is unlikely, there could be legal consequences for the officiant if the couple attempts to act as a married couple before completing these steps.
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Frequently asked questions
The marriage license must be returned to the court within 30 days of the ceremony. Once the license is filed, you are considered legally married and will receive a certified copy of the license by mail.
A marriage license in Ohio is valid for 60 days. If the marriage does not take place within this time, you must reapply and pay the fees again.
You can request additional copies of your marriage certificate after your wedding. The time it takes to receive these copies may vary depending on the county and processing time.
