Clinton Township Michigan Marriage License

If you live in Clinton Township and need a marriage license, you must apply through the Macomb County Clerk, not the township itself. Clinton Township does not issue marriage licenses. The county clerk's office in Mount Clemens handles all applications for Macomb County residents, including those in Clinton Township. The process is fairly straightforward, but you need to know what to bring, when the office is open, and how long you'll wait before the license becomes valid.

Macomb County Clerk Office for Clinton Township Residents

Clinton Township residents apply at the Macomb County Clerk's office in Mount Clemens. This is the only office that can issue a Macomb County marriage license.

Both applicants must appear in person at the same time. You cannot send a representative or apply by mail. The Wednesday extended hours are useful if your work schedule makes it hard to get there during normal business hours. Call ahead if you're unsure about parking or wait times.

Note: If neither you nor your partner lives in Macomb County, you cannot apply here. You must apply in the county where at least one of you lives.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Clinton Township

Both people getting married must go to the Macomb County Clerk together. There is no online application for the license itself. You fill out the forms at the counter, pay the fee, and then wait out the three-day waiting period before the license is valid. Under MCL 551.101, Michigan requires this waiting period for all applicants unless a judge grants a waiver.

Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days. If your ceremony doesn't happen within that window, the license expires and you'd need to apply again. Plan your ceremony date before you apply so you're not caught in a tight window.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the county clerk within 10 days, as required by MCL 551.104. Make sure whoever performs your ceremony knows this. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must also sign the license at the time of the ceremony.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the same set of documents. Missing even one item will mean a wasted trip.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current address (driver's license or state ID)
• Certified birth certificate issued by a government agency (not a hospital birth record)
• Social Security number (card not required, but you must know the number)
• If previously married: certified divorce decree or death certificate for the prior spouse
• Full names and birth states of both parents

The birth certificate requirement trips people up. A hospital souvenir copy is not acceptable. You need the certified copy from the vital records office of the state where you were born. If you don't have one, order it well in advance since processing can take several weeks.

If you were born in Michigan, you can request a certified copy through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Passports can substitute for the birth certificate in some cases; call the clerk's office to confirm before your visit.

Note: Applicants between ages 16 and 17 need written parental consent. Everyone must be 18 or older to apply without parental approval.

Fees and Waiting Period

The fee in Macomb County is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. At least one applicant must be a Macomb County resident to apply here at the resident rate. If neither of you lives in the county, the $30 fee applies to both.

The three-day waiting period starts when you apply. So if you apply on a Monday, the earliest you can marry is Thursday. Sundays and holidays may or may not count depending on the clerk's office; call to confirm if your timeline is tight.

If you need to waive the waiting period, you must go before a judge and pay a $10 waiver fee in Macomb County. This is not guaranteed and is granted at the judge's discretion. The total cost with a waiver would be $30 for residents or $40 for non-residents.

Certified copies of your marriage record cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Order extras at the time of application since you'll likely need multiple for name change purposes.

Note: All fees are subject to change. Confirm the current fee schedule with the clerk's office before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Clinton Township

If you want a civil ceremony rather than a religious one, you have a few local options in Clinton Township and nearby.

The 41B District Court at 22380 Starks Drive, Clinton Township, MI 48038, phone (586) 493-6600, can perform ceremonies. Contact the court directly to ask about availability, scheduling, and any associated fees. Not all district courts perform ceremonies every day, so call ahead.

As a charter township, Clinton Township has a Township Supervisor who is legally authorized to perform marriage ceremonies under Michigan law. The Township offices are located at 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038, phone (586) 286-6000. Call the supervisor's office to ask about scheduling a civil ceremony there.

Under MCL 551.7, the following people can legally perform a marriage ceremony in Michigan: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, township supervisors (charter townships), and ordained ministers. Make sure whoever performs your ceremony is on this list.

Note: Always confirm availability before finalizing your ceremony date. Schedules fill up, especially around popular wedding dates.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your ceremony is registered with Macomb County, certified copies are available from two sources: the Macomb County Clerk and the Michigan MDHHS.

From the Macomb County Clerk (120 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens), the cost is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. You can request copies in person during office hours. This is the fastest option and the county record is usually available sooner than the state's copy.

The Michigan MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666, maintains state marriage records dating back to 1867. Certified copies cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy. Rush processing adds $12. You can order online through VitalChek or in person by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visit the MDHHS vital records page for current ordering options.

Michigan MDHHS handles certified marriage record requests for Clinton Township and Macomb County residents, with state records dating back to 1867.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage licenses are governed by the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 sets out the license requirement and the three-day waiting period. The law requires both parties to appear in person and prohibits issuing a license to anyone under 16.

Michiganology.org provides free access to historical Michigan vital records, useful for researching marriage records from Clinton Township and Macomb County residents.

For name changes after marriage, the Social Security Administration is the first stop. You can update your SSA record for free. After that, visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch to update your driver's license. Then update your bank accounts, insurance policies, and employer records. The Michigan Secretary of State and SSA websites have more detail on each step.

Nearby Cities

Other Michigan cities near Clinton Township where residents can find marriage license information:

• Warren (Macomb County)
• Sterling Heights (Macomb County)
• Macomb Township (Macomb County)

Macomb County Marriage License

Clinton Township is in Macomb County. All marriage license applications for Clinton Township residents go through the Macomb County Clerk. Visit the county page for full fees, requirements, and how to get certified copies of marriage records.

View Macomb County Marriage License