How to Officiate a Wedding in Akron, Ohio

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding in the Heart of it All! Or, Mazel Tov on being picked to officiate a wedding in this wonderful city! The great Midwestern state of Ohio has so much to offer couples -- whether you’re planning a black-tie reception overlooking a nighttime cityscape, a barefoot-in-the-sand party on the shores of Lake Erie, or a country hoedown in a cozy barn, believe it or not, all of those options are located within less than an hour of Akron.

But before you get too wrapped up in planning your wedding details, let’s get the legal logistics squared away. Here in our guide, we have all the info you need to get legally married in Summit County -- plus, how to get the officiant-of-choice ordained for your big day. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

In Ohio, “an ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within Ohio licensed to perform marriages.” And yes, that includes Internet ministers!

If you’ve been asked to perform a marriage ceremony but you don’t have any credentials to do so, you can get ordained with AMM. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

In Ohio, you must also register as an ordained minister with the state before you start performing ceremonies. To obtain the license issued by the Secretary of State, you’ll need to fill out and send in your application.

For that, you’ll need to include a copy of your new ministerial credentials from AMM, which we can send to you for a small fee. Then, print out and complete the Minister License Application from the Ohio Secretary of State.

With those two documents, also remember to include the filing fee of $10.00 in a check or money order made payable to “Ohio Secretary of State.” Mail or deliver the application to:

Ohio Secretary of State
Minister's License
22 North 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Once the office receives your application, they will send you your minister license! Make sure to start the process plenty of time before the wedding day so that you’re not cutting it close, in case the office takes its time in processing your request.

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Summit County

Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 

Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

When it comes time to sign the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it, but make sure they have it on the day of the wedding, as you will need to help them complete it properly.

There should be three parts of the marriage license: the gold sheet is for the couple to keep as a memento, the top portion of the white sheet is for your own record as the officiant, and the bottom portion is the most important. It is your responsibility to mail it back to the probate court’s office after the ceremony so that they can record the marriage.

File for the Marriage License from the Summit County Probate Court’s Office

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities. You can start by printing out your marriage license application online and filling it out to bring with you to the probate court’s office to save a little time. Or, if you’d rather, you can just fill one out with your partner when you go in person.

The office asks that you come in to apply no more than two weeks before the month of your wedding day. For example, a couple getting married on any day in June may come in no earlier than May 15. Also, note that people entering the courthouse must wear a mask and have their temperature taken at the security checkpoint.

Also note that you should go to the probate court in the county where either of the applicants lives. In Akron, it’s the Summit County Probate Court’s office. If you live outside Ohio but plan to get married in Ohio, apply for a license in the county where the ceremony will take place.

Make sure you visit the office within 30 days of completing the online marriage license application otherwise you will have to repay the fee. 

When you and your partner are ready to apply for your marriage license, remember to bring:

Your printed and completed marriage license application (if you didn’t print one out, they will provide you with one to fill out in person)

• Valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
• $64 for the marriage license fee (cash, in-state check, or by credit card)

Other documents you might need:

• If your current address does not match the one listed on your driver’s license, bring in a piece of mail or your  current lease agreement to prove your current address
• If either of you has been divorced or widowed, your divorce certificate or the death certificate of your previous spouse
• If you don’t know the name of either one of your parents, you must provide your birth certificate

If you have all the required documents, the office will issue you your marriage license the same day. It is valid for 60 days. On the day of the ceremony, your officiant will help you fill it out correctly and ensure that it is returned to the probate court’s office to be filed.

The Basics

Now onto the fun stuff, wedding planning! First things first. When choosing your wedding date, you should consider some of the larger events that take place in Akron throughout the year, such as the Lock 3 Festivals, before committing to wedding date and venue. It’s a good idea to avoid planning a wedding on one of these nights if you can, especially if your desired wedding venue is nearby to any of these events, as crowds and traffic will be a real pain for your guests.

Speaking of wedding venues, there are some beautiful properties to choose from located right in town.

Did you know you can get married at the famous Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens?  Its elegant Tudor Revival manor house, conservatory, and 70-acre landscaped grounds provide multiple beautiful settings for you to choose from, plus the property provides a wedding consultant and catering.

You should also check out the Trailhead at Cascade Lofts -- just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The property features an outdoor garden courtyard for ceremonies, bridal and groom suites, and a modern yet rustic indoor dancefloor area in its beautifully renovated, historic factory.

Those are our top picks in Akron, but you can host your wedding anywhere in the state of Ohio, from Lake Erie to Cincinnati, with your Summit County-issued marriage license as long as your marriage license is returned to the same probate court’s office in which it was obtained. So, the sky’s the limit!

Transportation

It’s easiest to get around Akron if you have a car, but Akron’s city bus service’s web page has all the info you need for trip planning, including route maps and helpful videos if you want to utilize public transit while you’re in town. Of course, Lyft and Uber are also available and a great option if you don’t want to go to the trouble of renting a car or figuring out the bus system.

Weather

Ohio has four beautiful seasons. May and June, and September and October are great weather months in Akron -- when the gloom and snow have cleared and the temperature is perfectly mild. If you don’t mind a little bit of summertime heat, July and August are also pleasant for an outdoor wedding. But in general, weather can be unpredictable in Ohio, so you may want to consider choosing a venue with indoor spaces in case some inclement weather rolls in on the big day.