Getting Married in Ohio: Legal Steps and Scenic Elopement Ideas

To get married in Ohio, both partners must apply in person for a marriage license at a probate court. Bring valid photo ID, know your SSN, and pay a fee (varies by county). No blood test or waiting period required. License valid for 60 days.

Making Sure Your Ohio Wedding Is Done Right

After nearly four decades of welcoming couples to HideAway Country Inn, I can tell you with confidence that Ohio is one of the most accessible places in the country to get married. The legal process is quick, flexible, and recognized across the United States. 

Whether you’re planning a romantic elopement with just the two of you or inviting close friends for a private micro-wedding, the rules are the same.

To be legally married in Ohio, here’s what you’ll need:

• Both people must be at least 18 years old (or 17 with parental consent and court approval)
• Appear in person at the probate court
• Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
• Know your Social Security number
• Pay the county license fee, which typically ranges from $40 to $75 

That’s all it takes. There’s no waiting period, no residency requirement, and no blood test. Your license is good for 60 days anywhere in the state.

At HideAway Inn, we take those simple requirements and help you build a deeply personal ceremony around them. We’ve hosted over 5,000 weddings here, and each one has been absolutely unique. 

This guide will give you a clear understanding of the legal steps, but also show you how to plan a celebration that reflects who you are. 

You’ll learn what varies by county, how to choose an officiant, what to expect from the paperwork, and how to make the whole experience feel completely your own

Marriage Law in Ohio At a Glance

Before anything else, getting married in Ohio starts with a clear set of legal steps. The laws here are consistent across the state, though some counties have different ways of handling the details. 

What matters is understanding who qualifies to marry, what the state requires, and how those rules apply to your situation.

Who Can Get Married in Ohio?

In Ohio, marriage is open to any two people who are legally able to enter into the agreement. Both individuals must be unmarried at the time of application and capable of understanding what they are agreeing to. 

The minimum age is 18. Seventeen-year-olds may marry, but only if they receive written permission from a parent or guardian and a juvenile court signs off. The state also recognizes same-sex marriages, and those unions follow the same process.

You cannot get married by proxy in Ohio. Both people must be physically present for the ceremony, and your officiant must be registered with the state. The law is built around participation and consent, and this rule applies equally to residents and non-residents.

County-by-County Variations

Even though state law governs the basics, each county manages its own probate court. This means the license fee can vary depending on where you apply, and the payment methods accepted are not the same everywhere. 

Some counties allow you to begin the application online to save time, but you will still need to go to the courthouse in person to finalize it. Not every courthouse offers wedding ceremonies, so if you want to be married on site, it’s a good idea to ask about availability and scheduling.

Many couples ask if they will sign their marriage certificate after the ceremony. In Ohio, only the officiant usually signs the license. The couple does not. 

This can be confusing, especially if you’re expecting a traditional signing moment. Some bring a keepsake certificate for that photo, while the legal document is sent back to the court to be filed. Once that happens, your marriage is official.

The Practical Side: Fees, Speed, and Officiants

Once you’ve made the decision to get married in Ohio, the next step is understanding how to handle the logistics. The process is uncomplicated, but it helps to know what to expect in terms of cost, timing, and who is legally able to perform your ceremony. 

Whether you’re planning something simple at the courthouse or a fully customized celebration in the countryside, the same core rules apply.

What It Costs

Every couple must apply for a marriage license, and the cost depends on which county you visit. In most parts of Ohio, the fee falls between $40 and $75. This fee covers the processing of your license and does not include any ceremony-related services. 

In case you decide to have a courthouse wedding, some probate courts will offer that option for an additional cost, usually between $10 and $30. 

If you want a certified copy of your marriage certificate, most counties will provide one for a few dollars, often around $2 to $5, and it’s easy to request more copies for name changes or documentation.

How Fast Can You Get Married in Ohio?

Ohio does not require a waiting period between applying for your license and having your ceremony. This allows for a great deal of flexibility. 

You can apply in the morning and be married later that day if you already have your officiant and venue in place. This appeals to many couples who want a spontaneous celebration or are traveling in from out of state. 

I’ve met couples who arranged their license during the week and held their ceremony over the weekend with no complications at all. As long as your license is valid, which it will be for 60 days, you are free to choose the date that feels right.

Who Can Officiate?

In Ohio, your ceremony must be led by someone who is officially registered with the Secretary of State. This includes judges, ordained clergy, mayors, and other individuals who have obtained legal approval to perform marriages. 

Some couples choose someone they know to officiate and help them complete the registration ahead of time. Others prefer to work with experienced professionals. It is increasingly common to find licensed officiants through online platforms. 

Just make sure to verify that the person you choose is fully authorized in Ohio. If you’re getting married at HideAway Inn, we work closely with a small group of trusted officiants and are happy to coordinate that for you.

Where the Magic Happens: Best Wedding Locations in Ohio

Couples often seek a wedding setting that feels intimate yet meaningful. More are moving away from large event venues toward countryside wedding experiences. 

HideAway Country Inn provides nine acres of expertly maintained, weed-free land, offering quiet charm that feels both secluded and welcoming.

Small, Scenic, and Unforgettable

HideAway Country Inn is located in the heart of Ohio farmland and offers an experience that never feels staged. We emphasize landscape features, rustic charm, and organic beauty, providing an atmosphere that supports a genuine connection. 

Your vows may be exchanged during sunrise in a rose garden or at sunset amid the trees, the experience still brings together natural serenity and meaningful ceremony.

Why HideAway Inn Is Perfect for Your Ohio Elopement

People arriving with pets discover we support pet-friendly ceremonies, even the family dog can serve as ring bearer. Couples choose from seven distinct ceremony sites on the property, including gardens, woods, and pergola areas. 

Seclusion makes it an ideal location for couples who value discretion, public figures, LGBTQ+ couples, and those planning a second marriage consistently choose HideAway for the privacy it offers.

We create a personalized experience. Over the years, fewer than 1% of our couples use one of our preset templates in full—almost every celebration combines tailored elements to reflect values, culture, and personal preference. 

Some of the options include stargazing after dinner, adding wine pairings led by our sommelier, or arranging a rose petal massage in the spa suite.

Featured Elopement Packages

We offer three thoughtfully designed elopement experiences. 

The Simply I Do Elopement is tailored for couples wanting to move quickly and meaningfully; it includes the ceremony, a sparkling toast, and a one-night stay in one of our luxury suites. 

The Just Us Elopement adds custom music, a private dinner, and a couples massage for enhanced relaxation and intimacy. 

The Beginning of a Lifetime Elopement is a multi-day experience crafted with full planning support, professional photography, private wine tasting led by our level‑2 sommelier, and elective spa treatments.

Couple-Friendly Events Near Bucyrus, Ohio

Mid-Ohio Bridal Spectacular – Mansfield

Annual, early spring (2026 dates TBD)

A well-established bridal show featuring local photographers, florists, caterers, and gown boutiques. Couples can meet vendors face-to-face and gather inspiration for their celebration.

Mansfield Wedding Expo – Richland County Fairgrounds

Annual, January (2026 edition TBD)

Popular with couples across North Central Ohio. Offers everything from bridal fashion to cake tastings, with prize drawings and planning workshops.

Marion Bridal Extravaganza Expo – Marion, OH

Annual, usually February (2026 dates TBD)

A showcase of local wedding professionals, venues, and service providers just 20 miles from Bucyrus.

Special Moments Bridal & Tuxedo Fashion Show – Bucyrus

Available throughout the year, check for dates

Local bridal shop in Bucyrus that organizes fashion shows of bridal, bridesmaid, and groom/groomsmen attire. It’s good for inspiration if couples want to see styles firsthand and meet a vendor in town.

Columbus Bride: The Show – Columbus, OH

Annual, January (2026 dates TBD)

One of Ohio’s largest bridal expos, featuring dozens of vendors, fashion shows, and planning resources.

What Makes an Ohio Wedding Unforgettable

A wedding in Ohio carries its own character. Many couples who choose to marry here find that it’s not just the legal simplicity or central location that stands out, but the way tradition, scenery, and pace of life come together. 

Local Traditions and Touches

In rural parts of the state, certain customs are still part of the celebration. 

Handfasting is occasionally included in ceremonies, especially among couples who value symbolic rituals. Some choose to walk to their ceremony site through a wooded trail or decorate with wildflowers picked from the property. 

Pie buffets are sometimes favored over traditional wedding cakes, and acoustic music played live under the trees is a popular alternative to electronic setups.

The setting at HideAway Country Inn supports these traditions naturally. 

With multiple locations to choose from and event coordination available, couples often blend Ohio customs with their own. It might be a sunrise ceremony followed by a sommelier-led tasting, or a candlelit dinner followed by stargazing on a clear country night. 

Planning Tips from the Innkeeper

As someone who has hosted thousands of weddings here at the Inn, I’ve learned a few things that can make your planning process smoother.

• Reserve your officiant early, especially if your ceremony will happen on site 
• If applying for a license, call ahead to confirm office hours and documentation required 
• Ask whether your county clerk offers civil ceremonies, and whether they require appointments 
• Do not worry if your marriage license lacks a space for your signature; this is common and the officiant will handle the return process 
• Bring a decorative certificate for your own signing moment if desired, especially for photography purposes

Have Your Heart Stolen In the Heart of Ohio

Planning a wedding in Ohio means you can focus on what matters. The legal steps are clear, the options are flexible, and the settings are truly personal. Anything you dream of can be realized so that your special day feels perfect.

At HideAway Country Inn, we create space for connection. From license to last toast, we help couples build celebrations that reflect their story without pressure or noise. Everything from the gardens to the table settings is designed to support closeness.

If you’re thinking of marrying in Ohio, begin with a place that understands what that day should feel like. Explore our elopement packages and start planning your ceremony.