Getting started with Marriage Information for Ohio
Before you plan to perform a wedding in Ohio, it is important to understand the state's legal requirements.
To get started, check out the information provided below for getting ordained and registering as a wedding officiant in Ohio.
If you have questions, please go to our helpful FAQ. For more information or support, please visit our contact us page.
Step 1: Become Ordained for Ohio
To get ordained and become a minister to perform ceremonies in Ohio, start by completing our ordination application.
Once you have completed the application for ordination you will be sent an email that confirms your ordination. Our ordinations for Ohio are completely free, granted to you for life and can be completed in less than a day. More than half a million people just like you, have registered and received their license to perform weddings.
If you have not completed the application, you can get ordained for free and start your journey as an authorized minister in Ohio with Open Ministry by using the button below!
Step 2: Contact The Ohio County Clerk
Next, contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk in Ohio). Let them know that you are an ordained minister with Open Ministry in California, and ask them what information they require of you, to officiate a marriage in Ohio.
Clerks and governing agencies may require you to present them with a physical copy of your ordination record to register we offer packages which include bundled items at a discount.
When speaking with the Ohio county clerk it can be helpful to use the following phrases:
- I am an ordained minister with a church ministry in California.
- I would like to register as a wedding Officiant in your county to perform and solemnize weddings.
- What agency or department issues marriage licenses in your county and how may I contact them?
- I have my Letter of Good Standing and Ordination Credential as proof of my ministry and ordination for Ohio.
- Do you require any additional documentation for me to register as a wedding officiant in Ohio?
Step 3: Register with the Ohio Clerk
After you've contacted the marriage authority in Ohio, we recommend that you visit the bookstore to get your official credentials for your records, presentation or registration.
See Ohio State Statutes for More specific Requirements
When registering as an officiant in Ohio, you may be asked to display proof of your ordination to the Ohio county clerk's office before they will accept the marriage license as having been solemnized. We generally advise ministers of Ohio to get a Complete Membership Package for Ohio which includes a Letter of Good Standing (the live signed and notarized physical copy of your good standing with our ministry) an Ordination Credential, Minister Wallet Card and much more.
Having physical copies of your credentials provides peace of mind for couples and others that you intend to marry. Additionally, we recommend you give yourself at least 4 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your credential request to ensure that you receive all of your materials to register in time.
Please note, that any state or county can impose different requirements;
this may include other nominal fees and additional paperwork that may need to
be completed before the ceremony can take place.
It is important to note that some county clerks in Ohio may require wedding
officiants to attach a statement which asserts some of the elements in the
marriage license upon submission, including the following:
- The time and location at which the wedding took place
- The names and places of residence of all official witnesses
- The religious organization in which the officiant is ordained
- The printed name and address of the officiant
When filling out the Ohio marriage license, Ohio state or the clerk may
request you use the title "Minister" or "Reverend".
The clerk may also require you enter your denomination, you can use
"Non-Denominational" or your practicing denomination. Failing to
state a denomination may result in rejection and could require a duplicate
marriage license.
Step 4: Perform the Ceremony
Before you perform a wedding in Ohio, be sure that the couple has picked up their Ohio state issued marriage license from the appropriate office. Once you have completed the steps listed, you are ready to perform the wedding!
Officiating a wedding in Ohio can be a great and wonderful experience. Work with the couple to determine the proper ceremony format and any details they wish to have. For ideas and inspiration check out our sample ceremony scripts.
We recommend that new ministers who are going to be performing a wedding in Ohio, or who have questions about the ceremony read over our Officiant Guide.
Step 5: Submit the Ohio Marriage License
Ohio marriage licenses are valid for a set number of days, and there may be a waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in Ohio and when the ceremony may be legally performed in Ohio.
This information is generally written on the license and must be followed to ensure the ceremony is recorded properly by Ohio.
Please note that the signed marriage license for Ohio must be returned to the issuing office in Ohio state, before the time limit is reached. You can check the marriage license for the exact dates.
After the ceremony, you will need to return the completed and signed marriage license to the Ohio states issuing office. This is essential for the marriage to be legally recorded. In most cases there is an address listed on the marriage license, use that to mail it back to the governing agency so that it can be recorded by the Ohio.
If you have any questions about the returning of the license, contact the Ohio agency that issued it for more information.
Ohio State Minister & Marriage Statutes
3101.08 Who may solemnize marriages
An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state who is licensed to solemnize marriages, a judge of a county court in accordance with section 1907.18 of the Revised Code, a judge of a municipal court in accordance with section 1901.14 of the Revised Code, a probate judge in accordance with section 2101.27 of the Revised Code, 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 of its church, may join together as husband and wife any persons who are not prohibited by law from being joined in marriage.
Title XXXI: Domestic Relations - Children - Chapter 3031: Marriage
Effective Date: 04-11-1991
3101.10 License to solemnize marriages
A minister upon producing to the secretary of state, credentials of the minister's being a regularly ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation, shall be entitled to receive from the secretary of state a license authorizing the minister to solemnize marriages in this state so long as the minister continues as a regular minister in that society or congregation. A minister shall produce for inspection the minister's license to solemnize marriages upon demand of any party to a marriage at which the minister officiates or proposes to officiate or upon demand of any probate judge.
Amended by 129th General Assembly File No. 52, SB 124, § 1, eff. 1/13/2012.
Effective Date: 06-04-1976
Title XXXI: Domestic Relations - Children - Chapter 3031: Marriage
3101.11 Recording license to solemnize marriages
The secretary of state shall enter the name of a minister licensed to solemnize marriages upon a record kept in the office of the secretary of state.
Effective Date: 06-04-1976
Title XXXI: Domestic Relations - Children - Chapter 3031: Marriage
3101.12 Evidence of recording
When the name of a minister licensed to solemnize marriages is entered upon the record by the secretary of state, such record and the license issued under section 3101.10 of the Revised Code shall be evidence that such minister is authorized to solemnize marriages in this state.
Effective Date: 06-04-1976
Title XXXI: Domestic Relations - Children - Chapter 3031: Marriage