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Franklin County exact answer

Who can perform a marriage ceremony for a license from Franklin County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Franklin County, only an ordained or licensed officiant registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, a judge (a municipal court judge, or another judge with an order from the probate judge), a mayor, or the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf may solemnize a marriage. Officiant registration can be checked through the Ohio Secretary of State's ministers search. The Probate Court itself does not perform civil ceremonies; couples may schedule one with the Franklin County Municipal Court, and the Court encourages booking that ceremony before the license appointment so the license is still valid on the ceremony date.

Published rule and conditions

Officiant and ceremony rule
Only an ordained or licensed officiant registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, a judge (a municipal court judge, or another judge with an order from the probate judge), a mayor, or the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf may solemnize a marriage. Officiant registration can be checked through the Ohio Secretary of State's ministers search. The Probate Court itself does not perform civil ceremonies; couples may schedule one with the Franklin County Municipal Court, and the Court encourages booking that ceremony before the license appointment so the license is still valid on the ceremony date.
Official requirement

Only an ordained or licensed officiant who is registered with the Secretary of the State of Ohio, a judge, a mayor, or the Superintendent of the State School for the Deaf may solemnize a marriage.

Issuing office

Franklin County Probate Court, Marriage Department

Open the issuing office

Official sources for this answer

  • MarriageFranklin County Probate Court - checked July 30, 2026

    The Franklin County Probate Court issues marriage licenses to residents of Franklin County, Ohio who are planning to marry in the state of Ohio. Licenses may also be issued to out-of-state residents who plan to marry in Franklin County, Ohio. All applicants must complete the online application before they appear in person for their license. Marriage license applications are only valid for 30 days and the fee can be paid by cash or credit/debit card. Marriage licenses are only valid for 60 days. Is there a waiting period? No. After the application is accepted there is no waiting period to receive the license.

  • Marriage License RequirementsFranklin County Probate Court - checked July 30, 2026

    Both applicants are required by law to appear in the Probate Court to obtain their marriage license. If you arrive by 4:00 p.m. with all of your required documents, we will be able to issue your license the same day. Both applicants must provide a valid photo ID and provide their social security number if they have one. At least one applicant must live in Franklin County for a marriage license to be issued by this court. The license is valid anywhere in the State of Ohio. The fee for the license is $65.00. Fee is payable in cash, money order, or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted). The license is valid for 60 days from its date of issuance.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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