Ohio

§ 3101.10. License.

 A minister upon producing to the secretary of state, credentials of his being a regularly ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation, shall be entitled to receive from the secretary of state a license authorizing him to solemnize marriages in this state so long as he continues as a regular minister in such society or congregation. A minister shall produce for inspection his license to solemnize marriages upon demand of any party to a marriage at which he officiates or proposes to officiate or upon demand of any probate judge. 

Individuals interested in obtaining a license to solemnize marriages must:

• Obtain an application and a copy of the Ohio minister licensing laws.  Available to download here, or by calling us at (614) 466-2585.

• Complete the application:
  • Your name on the application must be identical to the name on your credentials.
  • The name of the congregation for whom you are a regular pastor or minister must be identical and appear on both your credentials and application. 
  • Complete your address and telephone number.
  • Date and sign the application.

• Provide proper credentials (Whichever you provide must be from the religious society/congregation you are serving and representing when you perform a marriage.)  Provide ONE of the following:
  • Copy of your license, with original signatures of certification (and annual fellowship card, if required); or
  • Copy of your ordination, with original signatures of certification (and annual fellowship card, if required); or
  • A letter from the religious society to which you are affiliated stating that you are duly ordained or licensed as a minister in good standing, serving the congregation in a ministerial capacity.  An official of the religious society, with his/her title, must sign this letter.  (This can include trustees, elders, deacons, or directors).
• Send a check or money order in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00) made payable to the "Ohio Secretary of State."
• Mail to: Secretary of State, Elections Division, 180 E. Broad St., 15^th floor, Columbus, OH 43215

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Ministers cannot certify themselves with a religious society or congregation.

We cannot accept documentation copied from a fax or down loaded from email.  We need a clear and distinct copy of the signatures.

If you lose your State license, we will need a letter stating that you lost your license and that you are still affiliated with the same religious society or congregation.  The fee is $10.00. 

If you change religious societies or congregations, or have a name change, you must re-apply for a new license, and pay the $10.00 fee.

If you were licensed by the county probate court, you may replace it with a State issued license.  If you send us the original, providing you are still a minister serving the same religious society or congregation on your county license, we can replace it with a State issued license at no charge. If you do not have the original license or have changed religious societies or congregations, you will have to reapply to have a valid license and submit the fee of $10.00.

If an independent congregation has ordained you, but you choose to be licensed under the church state or national convention with which the ordaining congregation is affiliated, your credentials should clearly indicate that affiliation.  If you desire to be licensed under the name of the independent congregation, your license is valid only as long as you remain a minister with that congregation.