Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed May 18, 2018
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You've just announced your engagement and are excited to start your lives together as a married couple. But before that happens, there are certain practical matters to consider and certain basic requirements that must be met. Although all states share similar marriage procedures, you must comply with specific Ohio marriage laws if you want to get married in the state.
Nothing can replace the expertise of an attorney when it comes to statutory interpretation, but it helps to have a plain language explanation of the statute as well. See the chart below for a description of Ohio's marriage laws including links to the relevant statutes.
Statutes |
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Validity of Marriage |
For a valid marriage in Ohio, the parties must fulfill certain qualifications.
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Types of Marriage |
Minor Marriage When a minor wants to get married in Ohio, they must get consent from their parents, a surviving parent, a parent who represents a residential parent or legal custodian, a guardian, or any of the following:
Same Sex Marriage The Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage across all 50 states. Thus, any same sex marriage in Ohio is valid. Common Law Marriage Ohio recognizes common law marriage, but only if the marriage occurred in the state prior to October 10, 1991. It was prohibited from that date on. However, if a common law marriage meets all of the following requirements, it remains valid.
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Getting married in Ohio usually goes off without a hitch. However, if you're a minor or have other concerns, then you might want to get help with making sure you're in line with Ohio's marriage laws. You can use FindLaw's attorney directory to find a family law attorney near you.
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