Applying for and Obtaining a Legal Ohio Marriage License

In the context of you requiring an Ohio marriage license, what you need to know may be placed under two categories.

In the first, you will need to know enough about the marriage license application procedures to complete the application and submit it. In the second, you will need to know what supporting documents and personal information you need to keep available so you can get your application accepted and processed without a single delaying hitch.

Marriage license rules are not the same in all states. Moreover, they could vary from county to county within a state. Besides this, they might change periodically. That means by the time you apply for your marriage license, the procedures may be different from now. So, be sure to verify everything that applies at your Clerk of Court's office in the correct Ohio county before you do apply.

Try to submit your application for a marriage license at least a month ahead of your wedding day just to be safe. Marriage licenses also vary in their validity period. Some states give you 10 days, others a few weeks, and there are those where there is no expiration date. You cannot assume and thus need to know for sure. Do not let your license expire before getting married!

A marriage license in Ohio stays valid for a reasonably comfortable period of 60 days. After the license expires, remember-you may have to repeat the entire process to get another one!

The license can be used only within the borders of the State of Ohio. Unlike some other states, Ohio has so far not imposed any waiting period before a marriage license goes into effect. In principle, your ceremony can begin as soon as you get your license.

Before you are issued an Ohio marriage license, you need supporting records to establish your identity and age. Ohio accepts government-issued IDs such as a valid driver’s license, visa, passport or state ID. You need to provide your Social Security number, too.

You will also need to be accompanied by a witnesses in Ohio when you sign the license application. Most couples often ask the maid of honor or the best man to come along. You can do this as well.

The bride also has to specify her married name on the marriage certificate. This is the time to do that.

Unlike states that require a period of prior residency to qualify for a marriage license, Ohio does not. You need to ensure that you are applying in the particular county where your marriage will take place.

Where there are previous marriages, the applicant is required to produce a certified copy of a divorce decree or the deceased spouse’s death certificate. Unlike some other states, Ohio does not specify a waiting period after a divorce or spousal death before people can re-marry.

There are many who hate taking medical tests for marital purposes and these people are relieved of this in Ohio. There is no need for any blood other tests here. However, both the would-be husband and wife are required to appear in person when submitting the application.

License fees in Ohio are a minimum of $40, varying from county to county, and payable in cash. There are some counties however that also accept money orders. You have to find out from each county office what forms are acceptable to them.

The subject of court procedure for pregnant minors is covered pretty thoroughly under Section 3101.05 of Ohio's laws. It is pretty complex, so you may have to consult someone who can explain it – perhaps the County Clerk.

Who Can Marry in Ohio?

Ohio marriage laws are fairly specific about who may marry and how. The state does not allow proxy marriages, as well as marriages between cousins and same-sex couples. Unlike some other states, it has no provision for civil partnerships.

Common law marriages have conditional recognition. Ohio was one of the states that permitted common law marriages for most of its existence, but then the state reverted from this practice on October 10th, 1991. So a common law marriage that has been registered in Ohio before October 10th l991 is a legal marriage. After that, it is not.

Who Can Conduct the Wedding in the State?

A religious marriage may be performed by any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation. Find out if your minister has that license (issued by Ohio’s Secretary of State’s office) because this is necessary. A civil marriage may be performed by the Circuit Court and Associate Circuit Court judges.

The officials concerned must record every marriage. They must give the wedded couple their marriage certificate. They must also complete the marriage license and return it to the Recorder of Deeds within 90 days of the time the marriage license was issued.