To get a marriage license in Clermont County, Ohio, both applicants go together to the Clermont County Probate Court at 2379 Clermont Center Drive in Batavia, bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security numbers, and pay a $50 nonrefundable fee. There is no waiting period, so most couples leave with the license the same day. The license is valid for 60 days.1Clermont County Probate/Juvenile Court. Marriage License2Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.07 – Expiration of Marriage License
Who Can Marry in Ohio
Both applicants must be at least 18, unmarried, and no more closely related than second cousins.3Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.01 – Persons Who May Be Joined in Marriage
A 17-year-old may marry only under narrow conditions: the juvenile court must file a consent, and if only one applicant is 17, the other cannot be more than four years older.4Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.02 – Marriage of Minors Anyone younger than 17 cannot marry in Ohio.
Which County to File In
You apply in the Ohio county where either applicant lives. If one of you lives in Clermont County, you file here, and the ceremony can be held anywhere in Ohio. If neither of you lives in Ohio, you can still file in Clermont County, but the ceremony must take place inside Clermont County.5Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.05 – Application for Marriage License
What to Bring
Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID card, or passport is fine. You must also provide your Social Security number; Ohio law requires it as part of the application, though the court may keep it on a separate record rather than printing it on the license itself.5Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.05 – Application for Marriage License
The application also asks for each person’s full legal name, age, residence, place of birth, occupation, father’s name, mother’s maiden name, and the name of the person expected to officiate.5Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.05 – Application for Marriage License
If either applicant was previously married, you’ll be asked for the names of parties to that marriage, the names of any minor children from it, and the jurisdiction, date, and case number of the divorce decree. Bring a certified copy of your most recent divorce decree, or the death certificate if a former spouse has died. It contains most of what the form asks for and speeds up the visit.
Ohio does not impose separate requirements on non-U.S. citizens. A valid passport works as photo ID. If your birth certificate is not in English, bring the original along with a certified translation that includes the translator’s signed statement of competence and accuracy, plus the translator’s name, address, signature, and date.
Applying at the Probate Court
Both applicants must appear together at the Clermont County Probate Court, 2379 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia. The court accepts walk-ins during business hours, and calling ahead at (513) 732-7696 is a good idea.6Clermont County Probate/Juvenile Court. Probate Court
The court offers an online pre-application that you can fill out beforehand. It saves time at the counter but does not replace the required in-person visit. At the courthouse, a clerk reviews your documents and places both applicants under oath; you swear or affirm that the application is truthful. Knowingly making a false statement is a criminal offense under Ohio’s falsification statute.5Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.05 – Application for Marriage License
The fee is $50 and nonrefundable. Cash, credit, and debit are accepted. Convenience fees apply to card payments.1Clermont County Probate/Juvenile Court. Marriage License
Same-Day Issuance and 60-Day Expiration
Ohio has no waiting period. A probate judge can issue the license as soon as the application is complete, so most couples get theirs the same day.5Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.05 – Application for Marriage License
The license expires 60 days after issuance. If the wedding doesn’t happen inside that window, the license is void and you’ll have to reapply and pay the fee again.2Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.07 – Expiration of Marriage License
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Ohio law authorizes ministers of any religious society who hold a license from the Ohio Secretary of State, judges of county and municipal courts, probate judges, the governor or any former governor, mayors of any Ohio municipality, and the superintendent of Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services. A religious society may also solemnize a marriage under its own rules.7Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.08 – Persons Authorized to Solemnize Marriages
For a civil ceremony, the Clermont County Municipal Court holds weddings on the first Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. Schedule ahead by calling (513) 732-7636 and arrive by 11:00 a.m. with your license.8Clermont County Municipal Court. Court Information
After the Wedding
Whoever performs your ceremony must return the signed certificate to the probate court that issued the license within 30 days. Failing to do so is a minor misdemeanor with a $50 fine.9Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 3101.14 – Notice on Marriage License Until that certificate is filed, there is no official record of your marriage at the courthouse, so a polite reminder to your officiant is worth it.
Once the certificate is on file, you can request certified copies from the Clermont County Probate Court. Order a few. If you plan to change your last name, the certified marriage certificate is what everything else runs on, starting with your Social Security record.