Ministry of Marriage Services

Pre Marriage Counseling 

Private Marriages and Small Weddings

The following conditions must be met in order for Marriage Services by The House of October:

Must be of Age per State/County Requirement

Must have applied for Marriage License within time line per Residency State

Pre Marriage Counseling - Bride and Groom is required and both must attend 3 sessions.

Cost of Services

Counseling Free

Ceremony Fee $50

Additional Costs - Out of State (cost will be determined upon confirmation of Wedding Date/Location), including airfare, accommodations, and transportation.

 Appointments can be scheduled by texting/calling [216-616-5553] Email - r.joannbranner@thehouseofoctober.org.

How to apply for a Marriage License in the state of Ohio.

In Ohio, marriage licenses are issued by each county's Probate Court. Some counties have always accepted online applications while others favored in-person appointments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can now apply online by pre-registering or filling out digital application forms. 

How to apply for a Marriage License in Cuyahoga County.

https://probate.cuyahogacounty.us/marriage.aspx#:~:text=General%20Information,Need%20Directions%3F

Online Pre-Registration

The Marriage Department is open for in-person appearances (no appointment necessary). Couples MUST pre-register for a marriage license online via our website. Successful pre-registration will provide more information on in-person appearances. Registration information is only stored for 90 days. The Marriage License is only valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

Pre-Registration for a Marriage License is mandatory. Issuance of the marriage license is NOT a ceremony. 

(https://probate.cuyahogacounty.us/ml). 

FAQ's

What are the Procedures Regarding Marriage Licenses?

In the State of Ohio, the application for a marriage license must be made in the county of either applicant. If neither applicant is a resident of Ohio, the application must be made in the county in which the ceremony is performed.

Both parties are required to be present at the time of making the application for the marriage license. If either, or both applicants are physically incapacitated, their physician must complete and affidavit as to the physical disability, and this affidavit shall be filed with the application for the marriage license.

Each applicant must provide a social security number.

What is the Earliest Legal Age One Can be Married?

The law requires that a male or female applicant be SEVENTEEN (17) YEARS or more. Proof of age is required for all applicants.

If both applicants joining in marriage are SEVENTEEN (17) YEARS of age, they may be joined in marriage only if juvenile court has filed a consent to the marriage.

If only one applicant is SEVENTEEN (17) YEARS of age, that applicant may be joined in marriage only if juvenile court has filed a consent to the marriage and the other person to be joined in marriage is not more than four (4) years older than the applicant of seventeen (17) years of age.

Probate court may issue a license not earlier than fourteen (14) calendar days after the juvenile court files their consent if either applicant is seventeen (17) years of age.

COUNSELING: Applicants under 18 years of age must have received marriage counseling before the license can be issued.

If One (or Both) of Us Have Been Married Before, Do We Need to Show Our Divorce Papers?

Yes, if either party has been divorced, the Places, Dates and Case Numbers of the Divorces are required. A certified copy of the last divorce decree must be presented at the time of application.

What is the Cost for a Marriage License?

The fee for a Marriage License is $60.00. The Court accepts cash, money order, cashier’s check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit or debit cards. There is a $2.95 convenience fee to use a credit or debit card.

Please note that the Marriage License is valid for SIXTY (60) DAYS from the date of issuance.

Where Can I Obtain a Certified Copy of My Marriage License/Certificate?

To obtain a certified copy of your Marriage License the Court needs to know the first and last names of both applicants, including the maiden or name prior to marriage, and the date of marriage. (If the exact date is not known, give an approximate year.)

Please see the new certified copies request form, now available online. Use this form to submit requests for certified copies of your marriage license.

Certified Copy of Marriage License Request Form

The cost of each certified copy is $2.00. You may request copies by mail. Please enclose a self addressed stamped envelope with money order or cashier's check made payable to:

Cuyahoga County Probate Court

1 Lakeside Avenue West

Cleveland, OH 44113

Due to the new BMV rules there is a two (2) week turnaround time to obtain your marriage license by mail. You may also call the Certified Copies Department at 216-443-8792 and pay by credit card.

Due to the high volume of calls and extended wait times, requests by mail are strongly encouraged over in-person or phone requests at this time.

Copies can be requested online for Marriage Licenses that have been returned and recorded. Please use the web docket to search your case number and then request copies using the Request Full Case Copy link on the case summary page.