Marriage License/Name Change

kl166706

Hey Knotties,

I'm virtually clueless as to what the legal side of getting married involves. Google is overwhelming me with search responses, so who better to ask than my fellow knotties?  

How do you go about getting a marriage license, and is there a concise way to find out how to go about the name changing process?

Thanks in advance!!

Katie

shlittertoots

We just applied for our marriage license on Friday.  Go to your county probate court (we live in Delaware, so we went to the Delaware county court)  You fill out a form, they type up a marriage certificate which you will have your officiant sign and mail back to the probate court.  Once they recieve the signed form, they will mail you a certified copy of the marriage license.  You can do this up to 60 days before your wedding day.  The employee tried explaining the name change process, but I didn't pay very close attention b/c I wanted to go to happy hour.  Oops, but there is a posting a few days ago that explains the name change process.  HTH!

shlittertoots

Forgot to mention that you need your social security card and your license, and your fiance...he will need the same forms of id. 

[Deleted User]

Yes, ditto maryruth81. We live out of state, and can't get ours until a week before the wedding. Get it in the county you are getting married in. And I think where we have to go (Madison county), they only accept cash or check, so you may want to be prepared for that as well. You have time to change all of your bills, credit cards, etc. And if you have a passport, if you change it within a year it should be free of charge.

BCsGal

Here is some info. from the various counties in central Ohio.  I hope this info. helps!  If you have questions, I am sure you could call to verify before heading to the courthouse, etc.

Franklin: $50 - cash only, application can be completed online prior. from website I hyperlinked.  There is also some info helpful about changing your name on this page.

Delaware: $41 - cash or check.  You can print and complete the application to bring in.  It's available on the page I hyperlinked.  Info hotline: (740) 833-2680

Licking: Couldn't really find any info online for Licking Co. specifically, but they listed this number as a Marriage License information hotline: (740) 670-5812

Fairfield: $40 -cash only.  You can complete marriage application online here.

Pickaway: $45 - cash, Visa or Mastercard only.

Union:  $40 cash or check.  Info is at bottom of page of this link.  Can print and complete application from link listed as well.

Madison: $35, cash or check.  From the page I hyperlinked, you can click "proceed" at the bottom to go on to filling out the application online.


Other information:

• As you can see, the price for the license varies by county, as well as how you can pay for it.  Everyone accepts cash, but I wouldn't be surprised if they want you to bring exact change, so keep that in mind. 

• The hours vary as well, so look into thatl, I know in Delaware Co. (where we have to go) they say you must arrive by 4:00, for example.  

• Make sure you know where you are going - most of the websites specify what building, floor, etc.

• The license is good for 60 days from when it is issued. There is no waiting period or blood tests needed.

• Both you and FI must go together.  You each need a current driver's license/valid state ID and proof of your SSN.  If you license does not have your current address, you should bring in a piece of mail with your current address listed.  if you don't have a driver's license, I believe you can bring in a certified birth certificate as well as something with SSN.

• If you are Ohio residents, either you or your FI must be a resident of the county where you apply for your license.  This license will be valid anywhere in Ohio.

•  You may also apply at the county where the ceremony is being held if you are not residents of Ohio.  This license will be vaild in that county only.  (Delaware county requires a letter from the individual performing the ceremony to confirm the ceremony is going to take place in Delaware County. This  letter must be presented to the Court at the time you apply for your marriage license, so check your county for specific info. if this might apply.)

• The ordained or licensed individual performing the ceremony must be registered with the state of Ohio through the secretary of state's office prior to performing the ceremony.

mandrietti

So if my FI and I live in Cincinnati (Hamilton County) but are being married in Columbus (Franklin), we have to do everything in Franklin, correct?  Any chance there are weekend hours because getting both of us to Columbus on a weekday is not likely without eating up more vacation time ugggghhh!

BCsGal

No, If you are Ohio residents, either you or your FI must be a resident of the county where you apply for your license.  This license will be valid anywhere in Ohio.

So, for your case, you would get your license in Hamilton county, because you live there, and it is valid for anywhere in Ohio, thus valid in Franklin county.

The thing about getting your license in the county the ceremony is being held is ONLY if you are NOT residents of Ohio, and then you must get it in that county and it is only valid in that county.

For Hamilton county here is a link to all the info, including hours, price, location, and an online application.