New this year, the Cleveland Municipal Court is opening up its special Valentine’s Day wedding ceremonies to all Cuyahoga County residents. In the past, the opportunity was limited to residents of Cleveland and Bratenahl, according to a representative from the Clerk of Courts.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, Judge Lauren Moore will put on her red robe to marry couples at City Hall. She created the tradition back in 2009 after local couples pushed to get married on the most romantic day of the year. The municipal court regularly hosts wedding ceremonies but only on Mondays and Fridays, removing Valentine’s Day as an option if it falls outside those two days.
“It’s something different that we can do that brings pleasurable memories to members of the community,” Moore said.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the municipal court hosted the weddings at Tower City Center. This year, for the first time, the ceremonies will be held at City Hall in the rotunda.
The court hasn’t set a limit on the number of couples that can register, according to Shayla Hurst, supervisor at the Clerk of Courts. The event is open to the public.
What to know ahead of time
Getting married at the municipal court is a two-part process. First, you’ll need a marriage license, and then you can make a marriage appointment.
You can register for a marriage license online or in-person at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse (One Lakeside Ave. Room 146) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Licenses cost $60 and are valid for up to 60 days. You can pay $60 in cash or use a credit card for an additional $2.95 fee. Marriage licenses are typically granted on the day you register. You’ll need to have your marriage license by 4 p.m. on Feb. 13.
After you’ve received your license, you can schedule your appointment to get married. You’ll need $20 in cash to schedule the appointment at the Clerk of Courts, located on the second floor of the Justice Center (1300 Ontario St.). No appointment is required–couples can simply walk in to register Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
When and where?
Judge Moore will perform weddings at the City Hall Rotunda on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Questions?
❤️ For general questions, contact Ed “Flash” Ferenc, public information officer, at (216) 664-6787 or [email protected].
❤️ Questions about marriage licenses can be answered by the Cuyahoga County Probate Court at (216) 443-8922.
❤️ Questions about scheduling can be answered by the Cleveland Clerk of Courts office at (216) 664-4812.
