Ohio law designates specific individuals authorized to solemnize marriages. These officiants include ordained or licensed ministers of any religious society or denomination, judges of any court of common pleas, probate judges, judges of municipal courts, mayors of municipal corporations, and any religious societies in accordance with their established rules. For example, a couple could be married by a rabbi, a judge, or a designated representative of a Quaker meeting.
Ensuring marriages are performed by legally recognized officiants provides legal certainty and validity to the union. This safeguards the couple’s rights and responsibilities within the marriage and simplifies matters related to inheritance, property ownership, and other legal processes. Historically, the authority to solemnize marriages has been closely tied to religious institutions and government officials, reflecting the societal significance of the institution of marriage. The clarity provided by Ohio law on authorized officiants contributes to the smooth and legally sound functioning of the marriage process.