Wedding season is here! Here's how to apply for a marriage license in central Ohio
Wedding bells will ring this year for thousands of central Ohio couples. But before walking down the aisle, happy couples must visit their local probate court to get a marriage license.
Here's everything you need to know about applying for a marriage license in central Ohio:
Marriage licenses are obtained from county probate courts. Ohio residents may obtain licenses within the county where either applicant lives. At least one applicant must live in the county for a court to issue the license, which is valid anywhere in the state.
If the couple lives out of state but is marrying in Ohio, the marriage license must be issued in the county where the ceremony will occur.
No blood test is required for a marriage license in Ohio.
Couples can submit online applications in Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties. However, both applicants are required by law to appear in probate court to complete the license process and obtain their license.
In Delaware and Franklin counties, the application is valid for 30 days.
Licenses are effective immediately and are valid for 60 days, so obtain the license within 60 days of your ceremony.
Most central Ohio counties require couples to schedule an appointment to obtain their license.
Delaware County: Couples will schedule an appointment when filling out the online application. The court is located at 145 N. Union St., 3rd Floor, Delaware, OH 43015.
Fairfield County: Applicants must fill out an online form and then call the probate court at 740-652-7485 to schedule an appointment. The court is located at 224 E. Main St., 3rd Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130.
Franklin County: The court website doesn't specify if couples need an appointment but states if applicants arrive by 4 p.m. with all required documents, the license will be issued the same day. The court is located at 373 S. High St., 22nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6311.
Licking County: Couples must submit an online application at least 24 hours before the appointment or fill one out in person at the time of the appointment. Applicants may call 740-670-5624 to make an appointment. The court is located at 1 N. Park Place, 1st Floor, Newark, OH 43055.
Madison County: The court website doesn't specifically state if applicants need an appointment but includes that licenses may be issued on the same date the application is filed if the court is satisfied all legal requirements have been met. The court is located at 1 N. Main St., London, OH 43140.
Pickaway County: The court website doesn't state that appointments are necessary. Couples must come together Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. except legal holidays with necessary materials to the county courthouse at 207 S Court St., Circleville, OH, 43113.
Union County: Couples will schedule an appointment when filling out the online application or by calling 937-645-3029 extension 3405. The court is located at 215 W. Fifth St., Room B06, Marysville, OH 43040.
Applicants must provide the following information when obtaining their marriage license:
Valid photo identification, Social Security number and proof of address if the address listed on the photo ID is not within the county.
If an applicant's previous marriage ended in divorce or annulment, the applicant must provide a certified copy of the most recent divorce, annulment or dissolution decree along with case numbers, dates, locations of all previous marriages, names of previous spouses and all current minor children.
If a previous marriage ended in death, all central Ohio counties except for Madison County require applicants to provide a certified copy of the death certificate for a deceased spouse.
The cost varies by county.
Delaware County: $41.
Fairfield County: $65 if using cash or money order; $67 if using credit card (includes $2 processing fee).
Franklin County: $65. There is a 3% service fee for credit or debit cards.
Licking County: $70. Cash, credit or debit cards only. Checks not accepted.
Madison County: $38, either cash or money order.
Pickaway County: $60, cash or credit card.
Union County: $60, but a $2 additional fee for credit or debit card transactions.
When couples pick up the license from the probate court, court clerks go over each document. Couples will be given a document that the officiant fills out after the ceremony. The officiant or the couple can return it to the probate court in person or by mailing it back using an addressed envelope that the court provides. If mailing, the couple or officiant only needs to provide a stamp, a Franklin County Probate Court clerk told The Dispatch.
The document must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony.
The return requirements could vary by county, so it's best for newlyweds to check with their local court on the return process.
Eastern suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Marriage licenses in central Ohio: As wedding season arrives what to know
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