Michigan Marriage License Records
Search Michigan marriage license records and learn how to apply for a marriage license at your county clerk's office. This guide covers requirements, fees, waiting periods, and how to get certified copies of Michigan marriage records from county clerks and the state vital records office.
Michigan Marriage License Overview
How to Get a Michigan Marriage License
In Michigan, marriage licenses come from county clerks. Every one of the state's 83 counties has a county clerk who handles applications. Under MCL 551.101, you apply at the county clerk in the county where you or your partner lives. If neither of you lives in Michigan, apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. The county clerk is your starting point, not the city hall and not the state.
Once you file the application, a 3-day waiting period begins. The license is not valid until those three days pass. It then stays valid for 33 days from the date you applied, per MCL 551.103a. You must hold your ceremony within that window. Plan carefully so the wedding date falls after the waiting period ends but before the 33-day mark. If you miss the deadline, you have to apply again and pay the fee again.
Most counties let one person come in and apply for both parties. The other person does not have to be there. One applicant brings all the required documents for both. Some counties prefer both parties to appear, so call ahead before making the trip. The county clerk can tell you exactly what to bring and whether appointments are needed.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the county clerk within 10 days under MCL 551.104. The clerk records it locally and forwards a copy to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division for Vital Records. MDHHS has kept state marriage records since 1867. Both the county and the state keep permanent files.
Michigan residents can marry anywhere in the state on a license issued in their home county. Non-residents face a stricter rule. If you do not live in Michigan, your license is valid only in the county that issued it. You cannot use an out-of-county license in a different Michigan county if you are not a state resident. Plan accordingly if you live out of state but want to marry in Michigan.
Michigan Marriage License Requirements
The application for a Michigan marriage license is a sworn affidavit. Under MCL 551.102, both parties must provide specific information about themselves, their parents, and any prior marriages. Giving false information on the application is perjury under MCL 551.108. The clerk will ask you to sign under oath.
Both applicants typically need the following items when applying:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing your current address
- Government-issued birth certificate (a hospital record will not work)
- Social Security number for each party (card not required, just the number)
- Final divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse if previously married
- Full names and birth states of both parents, including mothers' maiden names
Some counties accept a valid passport in place of a birth certificate. If you use one, you may still need to provide your parents' names and birth states separately since that info is not on a passport. Call your county clerk to confirm what documents they take before going in. A few counties allow photocopies; most want originals or certified copies of vital documents.
Age rules are set by MCL 551.103. You must be 18 or older to apply without extra steps. People aged 16 or 17 may apply with consent from a parent or legal guardian. The custodial parent must provide consent if custody was set by a court order. Michigan does not permit anyone under 16 to marry under any circumstances. All parties must understand English if the ceremony is conducted in English, or have a certified interpreter present.
Michigan Marriage License Fees
The base fee for a Michigan marriage license is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. These rates apply at all 83 county clerks statewide. Some counties add a small card processing fee when you pay by credit or debit card. Cash, check, and money orders are accepted everywhere. Check with your specific county before the visit.
If you want to skip the 3-day waiting period, most counties offer a waiver. The fee varies quite a bit across the state. Ingham County charges $100 for a waiver. Washtenaw County charges $50. Genesee County charges $25. Kalamazoo County charges $35. Wayne and Macomb Counties charge $10. Oakland County charges just $5. Call your county clerk to get the exact current waiver fee before you decide.
Certified copies of the marriage license cost extra. From county clerks, the first certified copy runs $10 to $25 depending on the county, with additional copies going for $3 to $10 each. From MDHHS, the state charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Rush processing adds $12 to the state fee and cuts the wait from 4 to 5 weeks down to 2 to 3 weeks.
Note: Fees are set by each county and can change without notice. Always confirm current amounts with the county clerk or MDHHS before mailing payment or showing up in person.
After the Ceremony
Once the wedding is done, the officiant completes the marriage license and sends it back to the county clerk within 10 days. This is the law under MCL 551.104. The clerk files the original and sends a certified copy to MDHHS. It does not matter where in Michigan the ceremony takes place. The license goes back to the clerk in the county that issued it.
Two witnesses must be at the ceremony. Both must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the marriage license after the ceremony along with the couple and the officiant. Michigan law under MCL 551.7 allows judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers to perform marriage ceremonies. Make sure your officiant is authorized under Michigan law before the wedding day.
Keep your own copy of the completed license on the wedding day. If something goes wrong with the return, having your copy makes it easier to resolve. Once the county files the record, you can order certified copies to use for name changes, insurance updates, and legal purposes.
Getting Certified Copies of Michigan Marriage Records
You need a certified copy of your marriage license for a name change at the Social Security Administration, to update insurance policies, or for any legal matter that requires proof of marriage. There are two main ways to get one in Michigan: through your county clerk or through MDHHS. Both give you an official document that courts and agencies will accept.
The county clerk is the fastest route for recent marriages. You can visit in person, call and mail a request, or use an online portal if the county offers one. Wayne County, Kent County, Ingham County, Genesee County, and several others have online ordering systems. Kent County charges $10 for the first certified copy and $3 for additional copies. Oakland County charges $15 for the first and $5 for each additional. Kalamazoo County charges $20 per copy. Each county sets its own rates.
For older records or when the county is unavailable, order through MDHHS. The state holds marriage records going back to 1867. Send requests to MDHHS Division for Vital Records, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909. You can also order online through VitalChek, a third-party processor. In-person appointments at the Lansing office (333 S. Grand Ave.) are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Call (517) 335-8666 for information or to schedule.
For genealogy and historical research, Michiganology.org offers free access to some older Michigan vital records. FamilySearch has digitized Michigan marriage records from 1867 to 1952 and makes many available at no cost. Ancestry.com has additional collections. Many county clerks allow in-person review of marriage records that are 75 or more years old for genealogy purposes. Use maiden names when searching older records since indexes typically list names before marriage.
Changing Your Name After Marriage in Michigan
Your certified marriage license is the key document for a legal name change in Michigan. The process follows a set order. Start with the Social Security Administration, then move to the Secretary of State and other agencies. Skipping the order or trying to update things out of sequence can cause delays.
First, take your certified marriage license to any Social Security Administration office. Ask them to update your Social Security records to reflect the new name. There is no fee for this. The SSA update must happen before the Secretary of State will issue a new driver's license or ID in your new name. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Once the SSA is updated, visit any Michigan Secretary of State branch office. Bring your current ID, updated Social Security card (or proof it was processed), your certified marriage license, and your birth certificate. They will issue a new driver's license or state ID with your new name. After that, update your bank accounts, employer records, insurance policies, voter registration, and any other accounts that use your legal name. Voter registration can be done at the Secretary of State at the same time as your ID update.
Michigan Marriage License by County
All 83 Michigan counties issue marriage licenses through their county clerk offices. Pick a county below to find the clerk's address, phone number, fees, and how to get marriage records in that area.
Michigan Marriage License in Major Cities
Michigan cities do not issue marriage licenses. You apply at your county clerk's office. Pick a city below to find the county that handles marriage licenses for that area and where to go to apply.