Does anyone know if this is legal for our ceremony?

Question

My fiance and I would love to have our good friend get ordained and marry us, but we're not sure of all the laws. We live in NE Ohio. I found this website http://www.themonastery.org/?destination=ulcLibraryMarriageLaws but can someone put this in layman's terms for me? Also, the friend that will be marrying us lives in Florida, if that matters. Thanks!

Answer 1

I live in NE Ohio also, and had family that was married by someone who was ordained, but not associated with a 'church' and it was perfectly legal. I think I would make a phone call to the Probate Office of your local county and ask a clerk there. They would have the most official and knowledgable opinion.

Good Luck and Congratulations

Answer 2

you should ask your local court system or ask you local social security office.  But your friend or friends should have there notary license . But yeah your best bet is to ask the court.

Answer 3

It's absolutely okay to have a friend or other officiant of your choice perform the ceremony, but you'll want to ask about the specific legal requirements at your county clerk's office. The whole part where they say "by the power vested in me by the state of Ohio" (or something along those lines) isn't just a line - the ability to perform a legal marriage ceremony is one that's granted by the state. The good news is that plenty of internet-ordained and otherwise non-traditional officiants have been able to get through the legal red tape. Just stop in when you're inquiring about a marriage license and ask about officiant requirements.

Answer 4

My husband's sister got ordained on that very site in order to perform our ceremony (like you, we wanted someone who knows and loves us to perform the ceremony).  I don't live in NE Ohio, but I did do a little research into on-line ordinations.  It seems that on-line ordained ministers can perform weddings anywhere in the US.  NY and PA may require that the minister have an active congregation, but I don't believe that Ohio has such a requirement.  I e-mailed the county clerk here that issues marriage licenses and asked them if my on-line-ordained sister-in-law could legally perform our wedding.  They wrote back that she could.  It's simple to check out, but I don't think you should have any problems.

Answer 5

He needs to be licensed in Ohio or be affiliated with a church/ temple in OH.

Check if your friend is licensed to do it in Ohio.Call the county that you'll be married in and ask. Some ordained ministers are allowed to do it, some aren't- it really depends.  

I ran into the same problem- my family is from Columbus, his family is from Cuyahoga falls, and we wanted to be married by a friend  who was licensed in MO, but they didn't let us.

I have also been to weddings preformed by other ordained ministers where they didn't have any problems.

Just call the county or the probate court.

Answer 6

Why take chances.  Use a regulation minister or Judge.  Some places have Justices of the Peace.  They are listed in the yellow pages.

Have your good friend say a few words at the ceremony, or be best man, or woman, and make the first toast.

Laws are different in all states.