Marriage LicenseResidency Requirement: You do
not have to be a resident of Ohio. If you are not a resident,
you must get married in the county where the license is
obtained. If you ARE a resident of Ohio, at least one of you
MUST be a resident of the county in which you are applying. Ohio
residents may use the license anywhere in the state. Licenses
are valid for 60 days.
Persons planning to obtain a marriage license from the Franklin
County Probate Court can begin the process on-line if at least
one of the applicants is a resident of Franklin County and the
marriage ceremony will be performed in the State of Ohio. In
addition, out of State residents being married in Franklin
County, Ohio may also use the on-line marriage license
application process. Out of State residents being married in
Ohio counties other than Franklin, must obtain their license in
the county where the marriage will be solemnized. There are
special requirements for minors to obtain a marriage license.
Please call our marriage department for further information.
The on-line marriage application process allows the Bride
(female) and the Groom (male) to begin their application prior
to appearing at the Courthouse. This process is intended to
obtain basic information from the Bride and Groom to shorten the
amount of time they spend in the Court's marriage department.
Applicants with previous marriages will need to provide
information on all previous marriages when they appear before
the deputy clerk to complete the application process. The
applicants must present a certified copy of the court decree
terminating the last marriage or in case of death a certified
copy of the spouse's death certificate. Information regarding
the two (2) most recent prior marriages must be entered into the
on-line form.
Upon completion of the on-line marriage application, both Bride
and Groom must appear together at the Franklin County Probate
Court to complete the application process, pay the fee, ($40.00
cash only) and obtain the marriage license. Each applicant must
display picture identification (valid drivers license, valid
state identification card or passport) and a social security
card. On-line applications will remain on file for sixty (60)
days. If the marriage license is not obtained within this period
of time, a new application must be completed. This application
process will not allow corrections. If a mistake is found on the
on-line application after it has been completed, changes will be
made when the applicants appear before the Court to obtain their
marriage license.
What are the hours and location of the Marriage License
Department?
Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed Saturdays, Sundays and all legal Holidays
Location
373 South High Street
County Courthouse
23rd Floor
Who may apply for a marriage license?
Male persons of the age of eighteen years, and female persons of
the age of sixteen years, not nearer of kin than second cousins,
and not having a husband or wife living, may be joined in
marriage. A minor must first obtain the consent of the minor's
parents, surviving parent, parent who is designated the
residential parent and legal custodian of the child by a court
of competent jurisdiction, guardian, or any one of the following
who has been awarded permanent custody of the minor by a court
exercising juvenile jurisdiction:
(A) An adult person;
(B) The Department of Job and Family Services or any child
welfare organization certified by such department;
(C) A public children services agency.
A minor shall not be required to obtain the consent of a parent
who resides in a foreign county, has neglected or abandoned such
minor for a period of one year or longer immediately preceding
the application for a marriage license, has been adjudged
incompetent, is an inmate of a state mental or correctional
institution, has been permanently deprived of parental rights
and responsibilities for the care of the child and the right to
have the child live with the parent and to be the legal
custodian of the child by a court exercising juvenile
jurisdiction, or has been deprived of parental rights and
responsibilities for the care of the child and the right to have
the child live with the parent and to be the legal custodian of
the child by the appointment of a guardian of the person of the
minor by the probate court or by any other court of competent
jurisdiction.
How do we apply?
Both marriage applicants must apply in person, together. The
license may be obtained in this county if one of the applicants
is a resident of Franklin County. The license may be used
anywhere in the State of Ohio. This Court will also issue the
license if neither of the applicants is a resident of the State
of Ohio, but the marriage ceremony must take place in Franklin
County. The minimum age for applying for a license in Ohio,
without parental consent, is eighteen (18) years of age. No
blood tests or physical examinations are required in Ohio. You
may begin your license application on-line.
How much does a marriage license cost?
The cost of the license is presently $40.00 cash only, and must
be paid upon completion of the application. A valid picture I.D.
with social security number* and date of birth is required. In
lieu of a picture I.D., the Court will accept a birth
certificate and a social security card*.
* All social security numbers are held in confidence.
Must I show proof of divorce or death of a previous spouse?
If either applicant has been married before, they must bring all
prior divorce information and a certified copy of the final
decree of their last divorce. In the event of the death of a
former spouse, a certified copy of the death certificate is
required.
Is there a waiting period?
After the application is accepted, there is no waiting period in
Franklin County to receive the license. The license is valid for
sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. If there are further
questions, please call 614-462-3108. Information regarding civil
marriage ceremonies may be obtained by calling 614-645-8162.
How do I get a certified copy of my marriage license?
When proof of the marriage is needed, a certified copy of the
marriage abstract can be obtained by writing to the Courts’
Marriage Department or by appearing at the Marriage Department
on the 23rd floor of 373 South High Street between the hours of
8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The cost of a
marriage abstract is $2.00, cash or money order. Usually, the
marriage abstract can be obtained the same day it is applied
for.
The above information was found on the
Franklin County Probate
Court web site |
