officiate weddings in ohio
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To officiate a wedding in Ohio, you must be an ordained religious leader of a congregation- a county, municipal or probate court judge- a mayor- or the superintendent of the state school for the deaf. After obtaining a license, you can conduct ceremonies joining two legally eligible people in marriage.
Instructions
1
Read the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3101, available as a link from the website of the Ohio secretary of state. This document explains details of marriage in the Buckeye State, including who is legally allowed to get married, the method of consent and the application process for a marriage license.
2
Gather the credentials necessary for licensing in Ohio. You must provide at least of the following documents: a copy of your ordination, a letter from a religious society or a copy of your religious license. You may work at one of the many religious institutions in Ohio, such as New Hope Church or Liberty Presbyterian Church.
3
Obtain the license from the Ohio secretary of state by providing personal information, the proper credentials and the licensing fee of $10, as of 2011. The application is available to download as a PDF on the secretary of state's website.
4
Make certain the couple has obtained a marriage license from the probate court in their county. For example, if they live in Franklin County, they can get an application from the probate court judge's website or go to the Columbus marriage licensing department.
5
Watch the procession, which is the official beginning of the marriage ceremony. There are many places to get married in Ohio, including The Columbus Athenaeum and Clover Valley Golf Club at Johnstown. The bridal party will enter and take their places.
6
Welcome the bridal party and the guests, and introduce the bride and groom. Talk about why you have gathered for the ceremony. If you are doing a religious wedding at a church such as the Broad Street Christian Church, you can start with a reading from the Bible, or you can choose a poem or meaningful words.
7
Conduct the declaration of intent by asking the couple whether they will take each other in marriage and wait for a response of "-I do."- The couple will recite their vows.
8
Assist the couple or ring bearers in exchanging the rings. Lead any other wedding traditions the couple desires, such as lighting a candle.
9
Announce the official marriage of the bride and groom. Tell the couple they may enjoy their first kiss as a married couple. The reception will then occur. It may be outside in a summer month such as July, when the Ohio average high temperature is 85, or be inside during the winter, when the high temperature falls into the 30s.
10
Collect the marriage license from the couple. Sign it, accept witness signatures and send the license to the office of the county clerk, such as the Franklin County Probate Court, so the marriage is legally binding.
Tags: license from, marriage license, probate court, secretary state, bridal party, bride groomSource: www.ehow.com
