Here's a step-by-step process for getting your marriage license in Ohio.

  1. First - don't bother doing any of this until 60 days or less from your ceremony! Your license must be signed by me within 60 days of when it's issued.
  2. Call your local county probate court.
    • If you're both Ohio residents and you live in separate counties, you may get your marriage license in either county. The ceremony may then take place in that or any other Ohio county.
    • If you're both Ohio residents and you live together already, you must get your marriage license in the county where you both reside. The ceremony may then take place in that or any other Ohio county.
    • If you're both out-of-state residents, you must get your marriage license in the same county where the ceremony is taking place. The license you receive is only valid in the county where it was issued. It is not valid in any other county. Be absolutely certain of the county where your ceremony is taking place before getting your license.
    • If only one of you is an Ohio resident, you must get your marriage license in the county where that resident lives. The ceremony may then take place in that or any other Ohio county.
  3. You and your fiancé will make an appointment to meet with a probate court clerk. They'll also tell you what identification and other paperwork you'll need to bring with you. You'll need to pay for your marriage license, so ask the court what payment methods they accept. Many don't accept credit or debit cards, so you might need to bring cash, check or money order.
  4. When you meet with the probate court clerk, you'll present your identification and other necessary documentation. You'll then raise your right hand and legally swear that a) you're not drunk or high, b) you're not first cousins, and c) you don't have the syphilis. (I'm not making any of that up.)
  5. When you're finished with the clerk, you'll be given several pieces of paper, usually in a folder or an envelope. Leave this entire set of documents intact and bring them all with you to the ceremony. None of these papers require any more signatures from you, and under Ohio law your ceremony does not require witnesses, so the only signature required on these documents is mine.
  6. Before the ceremony, I will sign and return a copy of the license to you. This is a commemorative copy of your license which you can hang onto as a keepsake, wave around on your honeymoon to try to score free stuff and amenity upgrades, or both. It has no official purpose.
  7. After the ceremony, I will mail the official, signed copy of the license back to the probate court. In the jubilant, sometimes bacchanalian chaos following your ceremony, the likelihood that you'll lose, misplace, accidentally discard or spill a drink on your official license copy absolutely skyrockets. Plus, there's it's a misdemeanor with a $50 fine if it's late, and I'm the one on the hook for it, which makes it my responsibility.
  8. You'll receive your official marriage license from the probate court in a week or two, not the day of your wedding. Most courts will mail this to you at an address you provide to them when you meet with the clerk, usually for a small extra charge. This is the copy you'll use for all official business: name changes, insurance enrollment, and all manner of financial and legal matters. Keep this copy safe!

Disclaimer: I'm a wedding officiant, not a court official or a lawyer. If you have questions, the best person to ask is the probate clerk in the court where you're applying for your license. If the clerk can't help you, consult your attorney.