How to Fill out an Ohio Marriage License with Examples & FAQs

Asked to officiate an Ohio wedding? Getting married in Ohio? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon-to-be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the OH marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out an Ohio marriage license correctly the first time!

Wedding bells are ringing, so let’s take a look!

Guide to Ohio Marriage Licenses: For Officiants & Couples

1. How to Fill out an Ohio Marriage License (for the Officiant / Officiator)

It’s the couple’s responsibility to purchase a marriage license / certificate before the wedding day, and the wedding officiant’s responsibility to complete and return the Marriage Certificate Return to the probate court office after the wedding ceremony within 30 days of the wedding. 

Depending on which county issues the marriage license, the license and certificate might be printed on a single sheet of paper, with the license on top and the certificate at the bottom – or they may be printed on two sheets. You will also receive a second copy of the certificate to keep for your personal records, which will be labeled for you to keep. Be sure to fill out both copies of the marriage certificate and keep one for your records.  

If this is your first time performing a wedding in Ohio, delivering a ceremony and signing the marriage license might feel like an intimidating set of responsibilities, but we’re here to help and know you’ll do a great job! To help you sign the official documents with confidence, each step is covered in detail below.

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Advice for Signing the Marriage License in Ohio

• Confirm the license hasn’t expired before the wedding ceremony starts. Ohio marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after issued; if a license isn’t used within this time, the couple will need to apply for a new license to get married.
• Use black ink only to complete all portions of the marriage license and certificate. Please print legibly in the spaces marked - do not write in cursive except when asked for a signature.
• Write “Minister” in the space marked “Title” on the marriage certificate if you are ordained with American Marriage Ministries.
• If the license asks for a county name next to the wedding venue’s address, write the name of the county where the wedding took place (not the issuing county).
• No witnesses are required to sign the marriage license.
• The couple does not sign the marriage license after the wedding.

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How to Return a Marriage License in Ohio

• Return the completed marriage license and certificate to the same county office where it was issued within 30 days of the marriage ceremony. 
• You can return the certificate by mail or in person. Some counties may also allow officiants to return the marriage license electronically (as a signed PDF) using an E-File Account, including Cuyahoga County, OH. 
• If the completed license isn’t returned, the officiant may be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor and be fined $50. This warning may also be printed on the marriage license / certificate to help you remember the return deadline. Because of this risk, we recommend not relying on the couple to return the documents for you. (§ 3101.14)

2. Ohio Marriage License Examples

Below are examples of the two types of forms you’ll see as the officiant on the wedding day – a marriage license and marriage certificate (or 'Marriage Certificate Return'). You will also receive a copy of the certificate to fill out and keep in your personal records.

The couple’s marriage documents will say which county issued the license, the date it was issued, and the full names of the people getting married. You’ll also see official names (the judge and deputy who issued the license) and numbers (the license number) used by the Court. The blank fields will be clearly marked to help you fill in the correct information, such as “Officiator Signature” (that’s you!), or “County Where Married.” Do not leave any spaces blank to avoid delays when it's time to file.

Because each Ohio county designs its own marriage license, the license / certificate you’re handed on the wedding day might not look exactly like these examples. Don’t worry – the information you need to know should be the same, even if it’s in a slightly different layout. The examples below include elements from marriage licenses issued in Cuyahoga County, Union County, Richland County, and Muskingum County, OH. 

Sample Ohio Marriage License & Marriage Certificate Return Form: 

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3. What to Do if You Make a Mistake on an Ohio Marriage License?

For the OH Wedding Officiant: If you make a mistake while completing the marriage license – such as a misspelled name or incorrect date – do not cross-out answers or use white-out, correctional fluid or tape to fix it. This might invalidate the form. Instead, we recommend that you contact the issuing office directly to ask about next steps. Depending on the county and the type of error, the couple may need to purchase a replacement license to fill in with the accurate information.

Before the Wedding: “I made a mistake on my Ohio marriage license application…”

It’s important to verify the information on your marriage license is correct before you leave the office! However, if an error slips past you and you do discover a mistake on your marriage license before the wedding day, contact the Probate Court right away to ask about next steps. This is a straightforward problem to solve, however there will be an additional fee to make any corrections after your license after it’s been issued. This fee you pay will vary by county and type of error, ranging from $5 to $90.

For example, correcting a minor error on an accepted marriage application or issued license is approx. $5.00 in Franklin County; while amending an application to include a previous marriage is approx. $35.00 in Franklin County. Meanwhile, correcting a marriage license in Hamilton County is approximately $90 after it’s been issued to you. Some corrections will also require both applicants to sign their names in front of a notary, for an additional fee.

After the Wedding: How to Amend an Ohio Marriage Certificate (Returned & Recorded)

To correct an error on an Ohio marriage certificate or certified marriage abstract, contact the County Probate Court where the marriage was originally registered to ask about next steps.

Depending on where you were married, you might need to complete some or all of the following steps (via Hamilton County - Instructions for Correcting a Marriage Certificate):

• Complete an Application to Correct Marriage Certificate and/or Certified Abstract of Marriage; Attach a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and/or Certified Abstract to your application. 
• Complete a notarized affidavit describing the error and the correct information. 
  If necessary, there will be a court hearing about the correction to provide additional evidence and/or supporting documentation for the change.
• If all steps are followed and a Judge approves the change, the Court will issue the Entry and make the correction.

See an example of an Application to Correct Marriage Certificate from Ashtabula County, OH.

4. How to Confirm an Ohio Marriage License Was Returned After the Wedding

Want to make sure that your signed marriage license was returned correctly after the wedding – and that it’s been received and filed by the Ohio Probate Court? 

Some counties provide an electronic search feature on their website to help you check – like the Franklin County Marriage License Search portal, or the Cuyahoga County Probate Court Docket and Index Search page. 

However, you can also call the office directly to verify your records if an online option isn’t available. Be prepared to provide the year you were married and your full name (first, middle, last name used when applying for your license). They’ll be happy to help you!

5. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Ohio?

Ministers who are ordained online through a reputable and recognized church, including American Marriage Ministries (AMM), can legally officiate weddings in Ohio and sign the marriage license. Click the link below to get ordained with AMM today!

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Once you become ordained, you will need to purchase copies of your ordination documents and register these credentials with the Ohio Secretary of State office. This step must be completed before performing your first wedding ceremony, and is simple to do. Learn more about minister registration in Ohio using the links below:

• What are the Wedding Officiant Registration Requirements in Ohio?
• ¿Cuáles son los Requisitos de Registro del Oficiante de Bodas en Ohio?

6. How to Get a Marriage License in Ohio

All couples who want to get married in Ohio must apply for a marriage license before the wedding, and licenses are issued by the county’s Probate Court. If you or your partner are Ohio residents, you must apply for your marriage license in the county where one of you live. If you’re marrying in Ohio from out-of-state, you must apply in the county where the wedding will take place.

Find Your County’s Probate Court: Directory of Ohio Probate Courts (Addresses & Phone Numbers)

Depending on where you apply, you may be allowed or required to “pre-register” by starting the marriage application process online. This option is not offered everywhere, however, so check with your local probate court for details. For example, Highland County Probate Court in Hillsboro allows couples to fill out an online application if they want to; Cuyahoga County Probate Court in Cleveland, and Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus both require couples to complete the pre-registration and application online before visiting in person; and Monroe County doesn’t offer online services, instead asking couples to complete the application in person at Monroe County Courthouse in Woodsfield, OH.

Because each county issues licenses a little differently, we recommend you call your local Probate Court or visit their website for the most up-to-date information on how to complete the marriage license application in your county.

See a sample Ohio Marriage License Application from Ashtabula County Probate Court.

Ohio Marriage License Requirements (ORC § 3101.05)

• Be prepared to provide the following information for each applicant: your name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, father's name, and mother's maiden name if known, the names of all past spouses, and the names of any minor children you have
• You might be asked for the name of the person who is expected to solemnize the marriage (your wedding officiant’s name). If so, use their full legal name.
• Both applicants must appear in person to pick up their marriage license and confirm their identities. 
• Bring a government-issued photo ID (a state ID card, drivers license, passport, military ID, etc.).
• Information may be needed from your birth certificate (bring a certified copy or original if possible).
• Your marriage license can be used the same day it’s issued if both you and your partner are over 18 years old. 
• If previously divorced, bring a certified stamped copy of your divorce decree (most recent divorce). You will need to provide case number/s and date/s for all previous divorces.
• If widowed, bring a certified copy of a death certificate listing the applicant as the surviving spouse. 
• If either applicant is under 18 years of age, contact the court directly for next steps.
• Payment: Marriage license fees vary by county, approximately $40-$70; some offices only accept cash so you may want to call ahead to ask about payment options

7. How Much is a Marriage License in Ohio? (Cost)

Marriage license prices may vary by county, and sometimes increase to keep up with state budget costs. For the most-current Ohio marriage license cost, please click the link below, or contact your local clerk’s office:

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

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8. How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License in Ohio? (Marriage Waiting Period)

If both parties to a marriage are adults, there is no waiting period to marry in Ohio. This means that you will receive your marriage license at your appointment and can get married the same day if you wish. Same day weddings are legal in Ohio!

However, we recommend applying for your marriage license about two to four weeks before your wedding date to avoid any unexpected complications. Do not apply for your license more than 60 days before the wedding.

For the marriage minors: If one or both parties to a marriage are 17 years old, there is a mandatory 14-day waiting period to marry in Ohio. The Probate Court must wait 14 days after the Juvenile Court files their consent before issuing a marriage license.

9. How Long is a Marriage License Good for in Ohio?

An Ohio marriage license is valid for 60 days after it’s issued by the clerk; this is called the marriage license “expiration period.”

This means you have 60 days to use your marriage license before it expires; if you don’t get married in this timeframe, you will need to purchase a new marriage license. To see the more details about Ohio’s marriage license expiration period, waiting period, and return deadline, click the link below:

• AMM Officiant Training: Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return

10. How to Get a Copy of an Ohio Marriage License (OH Marriage Records)

Contact the Probate Court in the county where you got married to purchase copies of your marriage certificate. Depending on when your license was recorded, you may be able to request copies online or by mail. You’ll need to know the full name of both parties to the marriage, including any last names used before marriage, as well as the marriage date.

Explore More Ohio Wedding Ideas & Inspiration from American Marriage Ministries

• How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained Online in Ohio to Officiate a Wedding?
• How to Get Married in Ohio - Planning a wedding in the Buckeye State
• How to Officiate a Wedding in Akron, Ohio
• How to Officiate a Wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio
• How to Officiate a Wedding in Cleveland, Ohio
• How to Officiate a Wedding in Columbus, Ohio
• How to Officiate a Wedding in Toledo, Ohio