Get a Marriage License in Canton Township
Canton Township does not issue marriage licenses. If you live in Canton Township and plan to get married, you need to apply at the Wayne County Clerk's office in Detroit. The county clerk is the only authority in Wayne County that can issue a marriage license, and both people getting married must appear in person together. Canton Township residents follow the same Wayne County rules as everyone else in the county, with the same fees and waiting period requirements.
Canton Township Overview
Wayne County Clerk Office for Canton Township Residents
The Wayne County Clerk is located in downtown Detroit. Canton Township residents must travel there to apply. There is no satellite location closer to Canton at this time.
| Address | Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Room 201, Detroit, MI 48226 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (313) 224-6262 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Online | evitals.waynecounty.com |
Both applicants must show up together. You cannot complete this process separately or send someone in your place. Wayne County does offer an online pre-filing option through the eVitals portal, which can save time at the counter. Even if you pre-file online, you still need to appear in person to finalize the application and pay.
Parking near the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center can be challenging. Give yourself extra time, especially on Mondays or the day after a holiday when lines tend to be longer.
Note: The Wayne County Clerk's office closes promptly at 4:30 PM. Arriving close to closing time may result in not being served that day.
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Canton Township
The process starts with both of you going to the Wayne County Clerk together. You complete the application form at the office, show your documents, and pay the fee. After that, a three-day waiting period begins. Under MCL 551.101, this waiting period is required by state law and cannot be skipped without a court order.
Once the waiting period is over, you can pick up the license or in some cases the clerk mails it to you. Confirm the pickup process when you apply. The license is valid for 33 days from the date of issuance. If your ceremony doesn't happen within 33 days, the license expires. You'd then need to reapply and pay again.
After the ceremony, the officiant is required by MCL 551.104 to return the signed license to the Wayne County Clerk within 10 days. Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must also sign. Talk to your officiant ahead of time to make sure they know this requirement.
Required Documents
Both applicants must bring these documents. Neither person can skip any of them.
- Valid government-issued photo ID showing your current Canton Township address (driver's license or state ID)
- Certified birth certificate from a government vital records office (not a hospital record)
- Social Security number (know your number; the card itself is not always required)
- If you were previously married: certified copy of your divorce decree or your ex-spouse's death certificate
- Full names and birth states of both of your parents
The birth certificate issue is the one that causes the most problems. Many people have a copy from the hospital, but that doesn't count. You need a certified copy issued by the vital records office of the state where you were born. Michigan-born applicants can get one from the Michigan MDHHS. For other states, contact that state's vital records office. Birth certificates can take weeks to arrive, so order early.
If you were divorced in Michigan, you should have received a certified copy of your judgment of divorce. If you can't find it, you can get a new copy from the circuit court that handled your case. Out-of-state divorces may require contacting that state's court system.
Note: Applicants ages 16 and 17 need written parental consent. Anyone under 16 cannot get a marriage license in Michigan.
Fees and Waiting Period
Wayne County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. At least one applicant must live in Wayne County to apply here. If you live in Canton Township, you are a Wayne County resident. Your partner does not need to live in Wayne County, but if they live in another county, their fee may differ. Confirm with the clerk when you call.
The three-day waiting period is built into Michigan law. It starts the day you apply. So if you file on Monday, Thursday is the earliest possible ceremony date. Count carefully if you have a venue booked and need to know the exact day you can marry.
If you need to waive the waiting period, you must petition a judge in Wayne County. The waiver fee is $10 in Wayne County. Getting a waiver is not automatic; the judge decides. The total with a waiver would be $30 for residents plus the $10 waiver fee, or $40 for non-residents plus $10.
There is no extra charge to apply in person. Certified copies of your marriage record cost extra (see the section on certified copies below).
Courthouse Ceremony Options in Canton Township
Canton Township has a district court that can perform civil marriages. The 35th District Court is located at 8550 N. Lilley Road, Canton, MI 48187, phone (734) 397-7999. Contact the court to ask about ceremony scheduling, availability, and fees. Not every court does this on every day, so it's worth calling before you make plans.
The 35th District Court serves Canton Township residents who need courthouse marriage ceremonies after obtaining their Wayne County marriage license.
Canton Township's 35th District Court marriage page outlines the process for scheduling a civil ceremony in Canton.
The Canton Township Supervisor can also perform ceremonies as the township supervisor of a charter township. The Township Clerk is at 1150 S. Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48188, phone (734) 394-5100. Call the township to ask about availability.
Under Michigan law (MCL 551.7), authorized officiants include judges, magistrates, mayors, township supervisors of charter townships, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Confirm your officiant qualifies before finalizing your ceremony plans.
Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record
You'll need certified copies for things like changing your name, updating insurance, and other legal matters. There are two ways to get them.
The Wayne County Clerk can provide copies after your marriage is recorded. Contact the clerk's office at (313) 224-6262 or visit in person at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center for current pricing and processing times.
The Michigan MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666, keeps statewide marriage records going back to 1867. A certified copy from the state costs $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional one. Rush service adds $12. You can order through VitalChek online or go in person by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. See the MDHHS vital records page for ordering details.
Michigan MDHHS handles certified marriage record requests for Canton Township and Wayne County residents, with state records dating back to 1867.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Michigan's marriage laws are in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 covers the license requirement and the waiting period. The law requires both parties to appear together at the county clerk's office and bars anyone under 16 from getting a license.
For name changes after the ceremony, start with the Social Security Administration (free). Then go to the Michigan Secretary of State to update your driver's license or state ID. After those are done, update your bank accounts, insurance, employer, and any other records. The SSA website has a step-by-step guide for the name change process.
Michiganology.org provides free access to historical Michigan vital records, useful for researching marriage records from Canton Township and Wayne County.
Nearby Cities
Other Michigan cities near Canton Township where residents can find marriage license information:
Wayne County Marriage License
Canton Township is in Wayne County. All marriage license applications for Canton Township residents go through the Wayne County Clerk. Visit the county page for full fees, requirements, and how to get certified copies of marriage records.