Sacred Unions & Passages

Ohio Marriage License Requirements

 

 

.Marriage License For a legal marriage to take place, the couple must obtain a valid marriage license in the state where the ceremony will take place. The marriage license needs to be presented to the Officiant BEFORE the ceremony. Failure to have a valid license means that the Officiant cannot perform a legal marriage ceremony. Please read the document Marriage Laws for the State of Ohio.

 

Upon presenting a valid marriage license to the Officiant, the Couple will sign the official marriage certificate. The responsibility of filing this certificate with the county  Probate office is solely that of the Officiant. The Officiant is legally obligated to return the completed license to the Probate/County Clerk’s office where the License was obtained by the Couple within 30 days of the wedding ceremony, but will make every effort to see it is filed within 7 business days of the date of the ceremony.

 

If you're getting married in the state of Ohio you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…

 

Cost of Your License

How much does a marriage license cost?

The marriage license fee is roughly $50+, although the fee varies depending on the county. Accepted forms of payment are cash or money order.

 

Residency Requirement

Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?

If both partners are residents you may obtain your license from a Town Clerk of your residence. If only one of you is a resident go to the Town Clerk of that resident. In either circumstance, your license will be valid statewide. If neither partner are residents you must apply for your license in the county where the marriage will take place.

 

Waiting Period

After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?

No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued.

 

License Expiration

How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?

Your license will expire 60 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.

What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?

Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.

 

Age Requirement

How old must I be to get married?

You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

 

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?

If either partner is under 18, parents or legal guardians must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.

 

Blood Test

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No blood test or physical exam is required.

 

Divorced or Widowed Applicants

What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.

 

Marriage Name Change

How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?

When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

 

There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Ohio or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.

 

Proxy Marriage

What is a proxy marriage?

A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."

Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?

No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in Ohio. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy.

 

Common Law Marriage

What is a common law marriage?

The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Ohio marriage license.

 

Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?

No, common-law marriages are not allowed in Ohio. This is unsurprising as only one-fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage.

 

Cousin Marriage

Can I get married to my cousin?

No, cousin marriages are not allowed.

 

Same Sex Marriage

Are same sex marriages legal?

Yes, as of June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court of the United States declared same sex marriages legal in all 50 states!  

 

Where to Go

Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?

Ohio has 85 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.

 

 

Adams County Probate Court

110 West Main
West Union, OH 45693

937-544-2368

 

Allen County Probate Court

301 N Main
Lima, OH 45801

419-223-8501

 

Ashland County Probate Court

West 2nd St
Ashland, OH 44805

419-289-0000

 

Ashtabula County Probate Court

25 West Jefferson St
Jefferson, OH 44047

440-576-3451

 

Athens County Clerk Probate Court

15 South Court Room 236
Athens, OH 45701

740-592-3251

 

Augliazze County Probate Court
Courthouse

201 Willipie St
Wapakoneta, OH 45895

419-738-7710

 

Belmont County Probate Court

Main St
St Clairsville, OH 43950

740-699-2144

 

Brown County Clerk Probate Court

800 Mt. Orab Pike
Georgetown, OH 45121

937-378-6549

 

Butler County Marriage License

130 High St
Hamilton, OH 45011

513-887-3300

 

Carroll County Probate Court

Courthouse
Carrollton, OH 44615

330-627-2323

 

Champaign County Probate Court

County 0
Urbana, OH 43078

937-652-2108

 

Clark County Probate Court

31 North Limestone St
Springfield, OH 45502

937-328-2435

 

Clermont County Probate Court

270 Main St
Batavia, OH 45103

513-732-7243

 

Clinton County Probate Court

Courthouse
Wilmington, OH 45177

937-382-2280

 

Columbiana County Probate Court

105 South Market St
Lisbon, OH 44432

330-424-9511

 

Coshocton County Probate Court

349 Main St
Coshocton, OH 43812

740-622-1837

 

Crawford County Probate Court

112 East Mansfield St
Bucyrus, OH 44820

419-562-8891

 

Cuyahoga County Probate Court

1 W Lakeside Ave, # 107
Cleveland, OH 44113

216-443-8920

 

Darke County Probate Court

300 Garst Ave, # 2
Greenville, OH 45331

937-547-7345

 

Defiance County Probate Court

221 Clinton St
Defiance, OH 43512

419-782-4181

 

Delaware County Probate Court

88 N Sandusky St
Delaware, OH 43015

740-368-1880

 

Fairfield County Probate Court

224 E Main St, # 300
Lancaster, OH 43130

740-687-7090

 

Fayette County Probate Court

Courthouse
Washington, OH 43160

740-335-0640

 

Franklin County Probate Court

373 South High, 18th Fl
Columbus, OH 43215

614-462-3894

 

Fulton County Probate Court

210 S Fulton St
Wauseon, OH 43567

419-337-9242

 

Gallia County Probate Court

Locust St 740
Gallipolis, OH 45631

740-446-4612

 

Greene County Probate Court

45 N Detroit St
Xenia, OH 45385

937-376-5280

 

Guernsey County Probate Court

801 Wheeling Ave, # 203
Cambridge, OH 43725

740-432-9262

 

Hamilton County Probate Court

1000 Main St
Cincinnati, OH 45202

513-946-3600

 

Hancock County Probate Court

300 South Main St
Findlay, OH 45840

419-424-7079

 

Hardin County Probate Court

1 Court House Sq., # 210
2nd Floor-Courthouse
Kenton, OH 43326

419-674-2230

 

Harrison County Probate Court

105 Jamison Ave
Cadiz, OH 43907

740-942-8868

 

Henry County Probate Court

660 North Perry St
Napoleon, OH 43545

419-592-7771

 

Highland County Probate Court

105 N High St
Hillsboro, OH 45133

937-393-9981

 

Hocking County Probate Court

1 East Main St
Logan, OH 43138

740-385-3022

 

Holmes County Probate Court

1 E Jackson St, # 201
Millersburg, OH 44654

330-674-5881