Marriage Requirements
- Age
- In general a male must be at least 18 and the female at least 16 years old. A minor must first obtain the consent of his or her parents or guardian. Pre-marriage counseling generally is required when either party is under the age of 18.
- Mental and Physical Capacity
- Since marriage is a contract, each individual must possess the mental capacity to understand the nature of the marriage relationship.
- Kinship
- The couple cannot be any closer than second cousins. It should be noted that adult incest (marrying or having sexual relations with someone who is nearer than a second cousin) is no longer a criminal offense in Ohio.
- Single Status
- Each individual must be single. The crime of bigamy is committed when someone marries knowing he or she is still married to someone else.
- Heterosexuality
- Individuals of the same sex can bind themselves in legal marriage in Ohio.
- Marriage License Requirement
- A license must be obtained from the probate court in the county where either of the couple resides or, if neither is a resident of Ohio, where the marriage is to be performed. Both parties seeking the license must personally appear in the probate court and apply for the license.