 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
            |
|
Marriage Licenses |
|
|
|
Photo Identification, Address, Phone Number, $44.00 IN CASH, Birth Certificate (if either is under 21), and if divorced, you need a certified copy of the divorce decree. If either party is a minor, see the topic Minors below. Please review the topics below to make sure that you have all of the information you will need to apply. Both the bride and groom are required to make application in person. Present these materials to the Marriage Clerk and after reviewing each item with the clerk, your license will be issued.
For more detailed information, click on the topics below to jump to an explanation of that topic. Who May Perform the Marriage Ceremony?
Marriage is a solemn and exalted state, sanctified by the church, respected by society, and licensed by the State. Marriage is basically a contract between two parties; the prospective husband and the prospective wife. However, there is a third party to all contracts of marriage - the State. It is the State that by law provides conditions to and limitations of the marriage contract. The Probate Court is the sole agency, under the laws of the State of Ohio, vested with the authority to issue marriage licenses. The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $44.00 payable in cash. This fee is non-refundable. Of this fee, $17.00 is allocated to a fund established by the State of Ohio to provide financial assistance to shelters for victims of domestic violence. Males of 18 years of age and females of 16 years who are not nearer of kin than second cousins may apply for a marriage license. Application must be made in person by both parties. Applicants must have their driver’s license or other positive form of identification such as military or state identification. Also, applicants under age 21 must have their birth certificate. Each of the applicants must supply to the Court their respective address, name, age, place of birth, occupation, social security number, father’s name, mother’s maiden name, if known, and the name of the person who is expected to solemnize the marriage. No marriage license shall be granted when either of the applicants is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substances or is infected with syphilis in a form that is communicable or likely to become so. A minor must first obtain the consent of both his or her parents, surviving parent, or parent or person awarded custody by a competent court. The required consent must be given personally before Judge Swift or a deputy clerk. If the male applicant is under 18 years of age or the female applicant is under 16 years of age, they must also have the consent of the Juvenile Court. Applicants under 18 years of age must furnish a written statement from a priest, minister, rabbi or other qualified counselor from whom they have received marriage counseling. One or both of the applicants must be a resident of Trumbull County for a marriage license to be issued. Applicants from out of state may apply for a marriage license in Trumbull County, provided the marriage ceremony is performed in Trumbull County. If either party has been previously married, the application shall include the names of the parties to any such marriage and of any minor children. If divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree must be submitted to the Probate Court at the time of the application. Blood Test: No Longer Required Who May Perform the Marriage Ceremony? An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within the state of Ohio licensed to perform marriages, a judge of a county court in his county, an authorized judge of a municipal court, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society in conformity with the rules and regulations of its church may perform the marriage ceremony. Once the license is issued, it is only valid for a
sixty day calendar period. If a marriage license has expired,
re-application is necessary and a new license must be issued. Traditionally,
the bride takes the last name of her husband although it is not necessary
or mandatory that she do so. However, if she does, it is the newlywed’s
responsibility to see that the appropriate agencies are notified. This
includes: among others, businesses and stores with whom she has credit
accounts, banks where she has checking and savings accounts, the Social
Security Administration, the Board of Elections, and the Bureau of Motor
Vehicles to see that her driver’s license is changed. All applicants must check their license prior to leaving the Court in order to ascertain that all of the information is correct and that no errors have been made. |