FAQ

• I am located in southern Medina County near the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. 

1. The couple will arrive on location and either stay in the car or step out, depending on preferences selected on the Married in Minutes Booking Form. 

2. The couple will be asked to present their marriage license and photo IDs. I will confirm identity and ensure the license is valid. 

3. I will complete my officiant portion of the license. Additional details about the license can be viewed below under "License Details" below. 

4. Ceremony (wording may vary based on preferences selected on the Married in Minutes Booking Form): 

a. Invocation: We are gathered here today to join ___ and ___ in marriage... 

b. Declaration of Intent: Do you ___ take this person ___ to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live? (repeat with partner)

c. Vows & Rings Exchange (optional): If the couple has additional vows they'd like to say and/or rings to exchange, this is the time to do it. 

d. Pronouncement: By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Ohio,  I now pronounce you married.

e. Recession: You may kiss and exit.

5. Congratulations! You are now legally married. 

6. I will hand-deliver or mail your marriage license to your county's probate court within 48 hours. 

• The "No Hoop-La" Second (or third, or more...) Marriage: For couples who have "been there, done that" with a massive wedding, a simple legal signing is ideal. You want to focus on the marriage, not the production. 

• Ultimate Privacy & Intimacy: Some couples find big crowds stressful. A "minutes-only" ceremony ensures the moment belongs entirely to the two of you, free from social anxiety or family dynamics. 

• The Destination "Legal First" Option: International marriage laws can require intense bureaucracy, blood tests, or waiting periods. Getting legally married at home first turns your international trip into a stress-free celebration. 

• Elopement: Just the two of you, perhaps dressed up, taking a few photos, but without the guests. I'm offering a modern, stress-free elopement experience.

• Time-Sensitive Practicalities: Life happens fast. Sometimes a couple needs to be legally wed immediately. My same-day / next-day services are just what you need.

• Budget Priorities: The average traditional wedding costs tens of thousands of dollars. Many couples prefer to save that money for a down payment on a house, a spectacular honeymoon, paying off debt, or investing in your future together.

• The "We Just Couldn't Wait" Surprise: Some couples have been engaged for a while, get overwhelmed by wedding planning, and realize they just want to be married now. My services are the perfect solution for the "let's just do it this weekend" decision. 

• Same-Day / Next Day: Ideal for those who have the license and just want it made official today. You choose an appointment slot on the booking calendar. The calendar only shows availability for today and tomorrow, no further. There are typically only 2-4 set times to choose from. Depending on my schedule, there may not be times available today or tomorrow, so please check the calendar. Slight last-minute convenience upcharge. Done driveway-style at my home. You may stay in your car or step out. 

• My Location: This ceremony is basically same as the Same-Day / Next Day but with no last-minute convenience upcharge. These appointments are the most affordable, and are typically booked several days or weeks in advance. This gives us more time to work out a customized date and time. Done driveway-style at my home. You may stay in your car or step out. Use the contact form to get started. 

•  Your Location: This ceremony is also booked in advance like the "My Location" ceremonies, but I will be coming to your home or to an agreed-upon 3rd party location, such as a park, your favorite restaurant, etc. Additional fees apply for extra drive time. Use the contact form to get started.

• Marriage License: The couple must bring the original marriage license issued by their county's probate court. The license must have an official seal. The license must be valid (not expired). 

• ID: The couple must bring photo identification so I may verify that you are who you say you are, and that you are who is listed on the marriage license. A driver's license, passport, State of Ohio ID Card, or military ID is typically sufficient. Please contact me if this is an issue. 

• Payment: The couple must plan on paying the remaining balance via cash or electronic payment if the balance has not been paid in full by your wedding date.

A $25 deposit is due upon submission of the Married in Minutes Booking Form. Full payment, either cash or one of the electronic options listed below, is due upon arrival, before ceremony begins. I will be in touch via email about your remaining total balance. 

Accepted payment methods include:

• Venmo

• CashApp

• Stripe

• Cash

The $25 deposit is fully refundable if you cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before the scheduled ceremony.

For same-day and next-day bookings, the $25 deposit is non-refundable due to the short notice and reserved appointment time.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify Kelly via email (marriedinminutesohio@gmail.com), phone, or text ASAP.

• The church name will be entered on your license as "American Marriage Ministries," because, even though you may be a member of another religious organization, for this specific wedding, I am acting under the banner of American Marriage Ministries.
  
  

• For the religious denomination section of your license, I will enter "non-denominational," as I will not be conducting the ceremony according to a specific religious tradition. If you would like to include additional vows tailored to your religious affiliation, you certainly have the option to do so. The Married in Minutes Booking Form allows you to customize this option.
  
  

• Ceremony type will be entered on your license as "Religious," because, even though your ceremony might be non-religious, the designation "Religious" and "Civil" mean something different to the Ohio Government. Civil is a designation for government officials. Everything else is considered religious, even if you include no religious references in the wedding