- ULC Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Minister Registration Required: Yes
- State Residency: Irrelevant
- Minimum Age to Officiate: 18
- Marriage License Waiting Period: None
- Marriage License Validity Period: 60 Days
- Marriage License Return Period: 30 Days
- Documents Required: Classic Wedding Kit, Letter of Good Standing
How to Become an Ordained Minister in Ohio
If you haven't yet become ordained with the Universal Life Church, that is the first step. Anyone willing can become a legal minister of the ULC, one of the world's largest religious organizations. Online ordination is fast, easy, and completely free. Once you have your minister license, you'll be eligible to officiate a wedding. To become a minister, start by clicking the button below!
How to Officiate a Wedding in Ohio
Contact the Ohio Secretary of State's office, introduce yourself as a minister, and explain that you're planning to officiate a wedding. In Ohio, ministers are required to register at the state level (not the county level). After becoming registered, ministers are able to travel anywhere in the state to perform ceremonies. For instance, if there is a minister in Cuyahoga County that wishes to perform weddings in Hamilton County, they would simply need to register at the state level.
View contact information for the Ohio Secretary of State's office:
Ashtabula County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Ashtabula County website »
Auglaize County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-8770
Auglaize County website »
Champaign County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Champaign County website »
Clermont County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Clermont County website »
Columbiana County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Columbiana County website »
Coshocton County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Coshocton County website »
Crawford County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Crawford County website »
Cuyahoga County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Cuyahoga County website »
Defiance County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Defiance County website »
Delaware County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Delaware County website »
Fairfield County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Fairfield County website »
Franklin County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Franklin County website »
Guernsey County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Guernsey County website »
Hamilton County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Hamilton County website »
Harrison County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Harrison County website »
Highland County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Highland County website »
Jefferson County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Jefferson County website »
Lawrence County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Lawrence County website »
Mahoning County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Mahoning County website »
Montgomery County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Montgomery County website »
Muskingum County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Muskingum County website »
Paulding County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Paulding County website »
Pickaway County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Pickaway County website »
Richland County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Richland County website »
Sandusky County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Sandusky County website »
Trumbull County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Trumbull County website »
Tuscarawas County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Tuscarawas County website »
Van Wert County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Van Wert County website »
Washington County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Washington County website »
Williams County
180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103
Columbus, OH
(614) 466-8770
Williams County website »

What Do You Need to Perform a Wedding in Ohio
Once you've determined what you need, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. Based on the feedback we've received from our ministers in Ohio, we highly recommend getting a Classic Wedding Kit and a Letter of Good Standing to ensure a smooth registration process. Keep in mind that the couple may also like to see your credentials. Please place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.
How to Get a Ohio Marriage License
Marriage licenses are issued by the probate courts, and will be picked up by the couple. As a minister, you should be aware of the rules regarding marriage licenses in Ohio. For example, if the couple plans to get a Warren County marriage license, you should double-check that they understand several important details about Ohio marriage law. In Ohio, the marriage license is valid for 60 days. There is no mandatory waiting period between the time it is picked up, and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Lastly, make sure they're aware that the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony.
How to Perform a Wedding
Congratulations, you're ready to officiate the wedding! If you need any assistance in this important task, we encourage you to utilize the tools below. Together these exclusive resources include everything you'll need to craft the perfect wedding ceremony for any couple. Created with our ministers in mind, they offer tips and helpful information for all aspects of performing a ceremony. Fun fact: many ULC ministers have become professional officiants using these tools as a guide!
Finalizing the Marriage
After you perform the ceremony, you will sign the marriage license along with the couple. Your title is 'minister', the ceremony type is 'religious', and the denomination is 'non-denominational'. You will not be required to provide a license number, and witnesses are not required. You may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, like a marriage certificate to mark their special day. Don't forget that the signed license must be resubmitted to the marriage office before the deadline!
Ohio Marriage Laws
Marriage laws in Ohio are primarily directed by Title 31 of the state code. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Ohio, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
3101.08 Who may solemnize marriages. An ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state who is licensed to solemnize marriages, a judge of a county court in accordance with section 1907.18 of the Revised Code, a judge of a municipal court in accordance with section 1901.14 of the Revised Code, a probate judge in accordance with section 2101.27 of the Revised Code, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society in conformity with the rules of its church, may join together as husband and wife any persons who are not prohibited by law from being joined in marriage.