Residency 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, ($50.00 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 $50.00 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.

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.