Minister License FAQs
Minister License to Perform Marriages: Frequently Asked Questions
No. If you lose your paper certificate, you must complete a new application, which includes submitting a copy of your credentials and paying the $10 fee. A new license will be issued, and you may request and pay for a paper version of the new license.
Yes. If you leave your current congregation and become affiliated with a new religious society, you must submit a new application to receive a new minister license.
No ongoing documents are required. Your license remains active unless:
You’re no longer an ordained or licensed minister authorized to solemnize marriages
You join a new religious society or congregation
You change your name
In any of these cases, your current license is no longer valid, and you must obtain a new one.
To form a new church or nonprofit religious organization, visit the Ohio Business Road Map for guidance on registering a business or nonprofit entity.
Contact the probate court in the county where the marriage license was filed. The court can provide information on how to address the situation and ensure the marriage record is handled correctly.