1. Mrs. Karen Swope Family and Consumer Sciences Columbian High School
Ohio Marriage Laws
Mrs. Karen Swope
Family and Consumer Sciences
Columbian High School

2. The Legal Contract
Marriage is a legal contract between 3 parties: Man, woman, and the state.
Marriage license laws vary from state to state.
The bride and groom need to apply for the license together.
Need to apply one month prior to the ceremony, but not too early as there is an expiration date.
The marriage license is a public record.

3. Ohio Marriage Laws
Both bride and groom must mutually consent, marriage by coercion or force is illegal.
The marriage is void if either party is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The marriage is void if either party does not understand the seriousness of the ceremony.

4. Ohio Marriage Laws cont.
Apply for a marriage license at the clerk of courts office.
A blood test or physical exam is not required.
There is no waiting period, license is valid for 60 days.
The cost is $ , depends on the county.
Apply in the county where the ceremony will take place.

5. Ohio Marriage Laws cont.
Bride and groom will need proof of identification and age: birth certificate, driver’s license (photo ID), SS number, passport.
Must be 18 or older to obtain a marriage license.
Minors must have parent or legal guardian consent, counseling that satisfies the court, signature of the judge.

6. Ohio Marriage Laws cont.
The ceremony must be performed by an authorized official: priest, rabbi, minister, mayor, judge, justice of the peace.
Following the ceremony, the official must sign the document, along with 2 witnesses.
It is then sent to the proper government agency for validation.
Same sex marriages are now legal in Ohio

7. Illegal Marriages Bigamy: husband has two wives.
Polygamy: husband has more than two wives.
Common law marriages: if entered into marriage prior to 10/10/1991, is valid. If after October 10, 1991, new Common Law marriages are prohibited in Ohio.

8. Illegal Marriages
Marriage between biological siblings, half siblings are illegal.
Marriage between first cousins are illegal.
Marriage between second cousins are legal.
For more information call: Seneca County Probate court,

9. Factors to Consider before marriage
Age of partners
Homogamy- partners have many similarities; they are homogamous.
Partners communicate well
Make decisions together
Able to solve problems together
Family and friends accept them