How to Find or Apply for a County Ohio Marriage License

If you need to apply for a county Ohio marriage license, there are two kinds of information you need.

To begin with, you will have to be well-informed about marriage license application procedures in the state before completing and submitting a marriage license application. Just as important, you must find out what supporting documents and personal information you need to have in hand so that you can speed up the acceptance and processing of your application, without undue delay or hassles.

Marriage license rules can and do vary from one state to another and they also often vary from county to county. They can also change from time to time. Therefore, by the time you apply for your county Ohio marriage license, the procedures may well be different from now. It thus makes sense to check on the current regulations when you are submitting your application, even though you may be well aware of them.

Try to submit your marriage license application well in advance of your wedding day. A month would be a reasonably safe margin.

Do keep in mind that the validity of a marriage license is also a variable factor: It is 10 days in some states, a few weeks in others, and a year in a few states. In some states, there is no expiration date. It is thus best not to take any chances.

In the State of Ohio, a marriage license remains valid for 60 days. Be careful about this because once the license expires, you will need to repeat the process for a re-issue. Ohio marriage licenses can be used only within the borders of the state.

Ohio, unlike some states, does not impose any waiting period before a marriage license goes into effect. In principle, you can get married as soon as you get your license.

Here’s What You Need to Do While Submitting Your Application:

While you are filling out an application, you must present a few supporting records to establish your identity and age. Government-issued IDs such as a valid driver’s license, visa, passport or state ID are accepted. You must also furnish your Social Security number.

You need to also arrange for a witness when you are signing the license application. You can of course do what many others do – get the maid of honor or the best man to come along. This would also be a good time for the bride to decide how her married name should read on the marriage certificate, as she will be asked for it on the license application.

Many states have a residency requirement for you to be eligible for a marriage license. This is not the case in Ohio. You must however apply in the county where you to plan to marry.

If previously married, applicants are to produce the relevant documentation. If divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree is needed and if widowed, the spouse’s death certificate must be made available. But unlike some other US states, Ohio imposes no waiting period after a divorce or spousal death before the marriage can take place.

If the thought of having to take a medical examination, including blood tests bothers you, then you can relax because in Ohio this is not necessary. Do also remember that to obtain the marriage license, you and your spouse both need to appear together in person.

Ohio marriage license fees are a minimum of $40, varying from county to county. You pay in cash, though come counties accept money orders. You can find out the amount you'll need by inquiring at the relevant county office.

The relevant county will tell you what procedures apply for those below 18 years of age. Ohio usually spells out all procedures on such delicate matters with clarity and thoroughness. The subject of court procedure for pregnant minors, for instance, is dealt with at some length under Section 3101.05 of the state's laws. If there is a issue regarding this, please ask someone competent – like the County Clerk.

Ohio’s marriage laws are fairly unambiguous about what kind of marriage relationships and procedures are legal. There are very few provisions for exceptions. The state refuses to allow proxy marriages or to recognize marriages between cousins and same-sex couples. Unlike some other states, it has made no provision for civil partnerships.

Acceptance of common law marriages is time-barred. Ohio was one of the states with a provision for common law marriages through most of its existence, until October 10th 1991 when this was banned. As of now, a common law marriage registered in Ohio before October 10th l991 is a legal marriage, but not after that date.

Any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation is permitted to conduct the wedding ceremony. You need to however make sure that your minister has the necessary license - Ohio’s Secretary of State’s office issues it. Circuit Court and Associate Circuit Court judges are authorized to conduct civil marriage ceremonies as well.

All these officials have to record every marriage and give the wedded couple their marriage certificates. They also have to complete the marriage license and return it to the Recorder of Deeds within 90 days of the marriage license being issued.