How do I get a marriage license?

County Probate Court (county level - each of Ohio's 88 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Schedule an appointment at your County Probate Court - MOST Ohio Probate Courts now REQUIRE appointments for marriage licenses; same-day or walk-in service varies by county; check your specific county's website
(Optional) Complete an online pre-application if offered by your county (many counties now offer this to reduce in-office time); bring your tracking number/confirmation
Both applicants appear together in person at the Probate Court; present required documents; sign the application before the Probate Court clerk
Pay the fee (typically $50-$75 depending on county; $17 of every license fee is forwarded to the state to fund domestic violence shelter assistance)
License issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day or any day within 60 days
License valid for 60 calendar days from the date of issue; if expired, must reapply and pay again
Ohio does NOT require witnesses at the ceremony (though many couples choose to have them)
Officiant must return the completed marriage certificate to the issuing Probate Court within 30 DAYS of the ceremony
Certified copies of marriage certificate: available from the issuing Probate Court; typically $2-$5 per copy; apply at time of license or after ceremony

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID); check your specific county's requirements as some require additional documentation
Social Security numbers for both applicants (SSN card may be required by some counties; at minimum know your number)
Parents' full names and birthplaces (city and state) for both applicants; mother's maiden name typically required
If previously married and divorced: certified copy of divorce decree or dissolution typically required; some counties require dissolution of all prior marriages within the past year; verify with your county Probate Court
If previously married and widowed: certified copy of death certificate may be required
Both applicants must be at least 18; if under 18, contact the Probate Court (juvenile division involvement may be required)

Fee

Varies by county; typical range $43-$75 in 2025-2026; some counties rising to $75 in late 2026 (Stark County: $75 as of October 1, 2026); certified copy of marriage certificate: $2-$5 additional; civil ceremony at Probate Court (if offered): typically $30 additional

Waiting Period

NONE - Ohio eliminated the former 5-day waiting period LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 calendar days WITNESSES: NOT required by Ohio law (unusual nationally) OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 30 DAYS after ceremony to return completed license to issuing Probate Court APPOINTMENT REQUIRED: YES at most Ohio Probate Courts; check your specific county's website ONLINE PRE-APPLICATION: Many Ohio counties now offer online pre-application to speed up in-person visit WHERE TO GO: County Probate Court in your county of residence (or ceremony county if both out-of-state); NOT the county clerk, recorder, or any other office

Where to Go

County Probate Court in your county of residence (or ceremony county if both out-of-state); NOT the county clerk, recorder, or any other office

County-specific variations apply

Ohio's 88 county Probate Courts each set their own procedures and fees within the statutory framework. Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Franklin County (Columbus), Hamilton County (Cincinnati), Summit County (Akron), Montgomery County (Dayton), and Lucas County (Toledo) are the largest. Most urban/suburban Probate Courts now require appointments and offer online pre-application. Some rural Ohio Probate Courts in smaller counties may have different procedures - always check the specific county's website or call ahead. Officiants must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to perform Ohio marriages (ordained alone is insufficient in Ohio).

Ohio Notes

Important state-specific details

Probate Court is the ONLY authorized marriage license issuer in Ohio.
No waiting period; no blood test required.
Ohio requires officiants to be REGISTERED with the Ohio Secretary of State - being ordained is not enough; search ministers at recordssearch.ohiosos.gov.
No witnesses required at the ceremony - unusual among U.S. states.
Officiant must return completed license within 30 days.
Marriage records NOT kept at the state level for certified copies - contact the issuing county Probate Court.
Common law marriage: Ohio does NOT recognize new common law marriages formed after October 10, 1991; pre-1991 may have legal standing.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Ohio Secretary of State (minister registration search) - ohiosos.gov | (877) 767-3453; County Probate Court (varies by county); Ohio Vital Records (birth/death only - NOT marriage) - odh.ohio.gov/vital-statistics