Dearborn Michigan Marriage License

Dearborn residents who want a marriage license must apply through the Wayne County Clerk in Detroit, not through the City of Dearborn. The city does not issue marriage licenses. Dearborn is part of Wayne County, so the Wayne County Clerk at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center handles all license applications for Dearborn couples. The process is the same for all Wayne County residents and includes a three-day waiting period before the license is issued.

Wayne County Clerk Office for Dearborn

Dearborn residents travel to the Wayne County Clerk's office in downtown Detroit to apply for a marriage license. The office is in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue, Room 201. The drive from Dearborn to this location is typically 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

Wayne County allows you to start the application online before your visit. The online pre-application is at evitals.waynecounty.com/onlinefiling. Completing this ahead of time can reduce your time at the counter. You still need to appear in person to finish the process and pay.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Dearborn

Start the process online if you can. Fill out the Wayne County online pre-application, then head to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit with your documents. One party can apply on behalf of both if they bring all required materials. After the application is submitted and the fee is paid, the three-day waiting period under MCL 551.103 begins.

The license is issued after three days and is valid for 33 days from the issue date. Plan your ceremony date within that window. If you need the license before three days have passed, Wayne County offers a waiting period waiver for $10. This is one of the lower waiver fees in Michigan. Call (313) 224-6262 ahead of time if you think you might need a waiver.

The 33-day validity window gives you plenty of time for most wedding plans. But if you apply too early and your ceremony is more than five weeks away, be aware that the license could expire. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony to stay safely within the window.

Required Documents for Dearborn Residents

Gather these documents before your trip to the Wayne County Clerk's office:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Government-issued birth certificate (certified copy from a government office, not a hospital copy)
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• If previously married: certified copy of each divorce decree or death certificate
• Names and birth states of both parties' parents

Both parties must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent. If one person is 16 or 17, a parent or legal guardian must provide written consent. No one under 16 may obtain a marriage license in Michigan under any circumstances.

Your birth certificate must be a certified copy issued by a government vital records office. The copy given to your parents at the hospital does not meet this requirement. If you need a Michigan birth certificate, order one from MDHHS. For out-of-state births, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born.

Fees and Waiting Period

Wayne County charges $20 for a resident marriage license. Non-residents pay $30. A resident is defined as someone who lives in Wayne County or whose partner lives in Wayne County. The waiting period waiver is $10.

Your license is valid for 33 days. Do not apply more than five weeks before your ceremony. If the license expires, you have to start over and pay again. The three-day wait is counted from the day you apply, so factor that into your timeline when picking an application date.

Certified copies of your marriage record can be ordered from Wayne County or from MDHHS. State copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional, with a $12 rush fee. Order at least two copies when you pick them up after the ceremony is recorded. You will likely need one for SSA and one for your own files.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Dearborn

The 19th District Court in Dearborn at 16077 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126, may be able to perform marriage ceremonies. Contact the court at (313) 943-2060 to ask about current availability. You need a valid Wayne County marriage license before scheduling a ceremony at any court. The court does not issue licenses.

The Dearborn Mayor is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Wayne County under MCL 551.7. The Mayor's Office is at 16901 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126. Phone: (313) 943-2055. Contact the Mayor's office directly to ask about scheduling and availability for a civil ceremony.

Other legal officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Dearborn has many religious communities of various faiths. Independent officiants are also widely available if you want a personalized ceremony outside of a courthouse setting.

Certified Copies and Marriage Records

After your ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Wayne County Clerk within 10 days. This is required by MCL 551.104. Once the county records the license, the marriage is official. You can then request certified copies.

Wayne County certified copies can be ordered directly from the clerk's office. For state-level copies, contact MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666. State copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional, with a $12 rush option. You can order online through VitalChek or by mail.

Michigan has kept marriage records since 1867. For historical records, Michiganology.org has digitized older vital records that are free to search. Go to michigan.gov/mdhhs for current ordering instructions and forms.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan's marriage laws are in MCL Chapter 551. MCL 551.101 directs couples to apply at the county clerk's office. MCL 551.103 sets the three-day waiting period. MCL 551.104 requires the officiant to return the signed license within 10 days of the ceremony.

MCL 551.7 lists who may legally perform a marriage in Michigan: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must attend the ceremony. The ceremony must be held within Michigan and within 33 days of the license issue date.

Michigan does not recognize common law marriages formed after 1957. You must be legally single (not currently married) when you apply. If there is a prior marriage, bring certified documentation that it has ended. The Michigan Courts website has self-help resources for questions about marriage law.

Name Change After Marriage in Dearborn

If you are changing your name after your Dearborn wedding, start with the Social Security Administration. This step is free. Bring your certified marriage certificate to your local SSA office or mail in the form. The SSA updates your record first, and other agencies typically want confirmation that the SSA change is in progress before they act.

After SSA, visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch. Several SOS offices serve the Dearborn area. The Michigan SOS website has a branch locator and current wait times. Bring your updated SSN card or proof of the change, plus your certified marriage certificate. The SOS will update your driver's license or state ID.

After your government IDs are updated, work through your bank accounts, employer records, insurance policies, and other accounts that use your legal name. Most institutions want to see a matching government photo ID with the new name before making any change. Getting SSA and SOS done first keeps everything else in sequence.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities in Wayne County and the surrounding area:

• Detroit - Wayne County

Wayne County Marriage License

Dearborn is in Wayne County. All marriage license applications for Dearborn residents go through the Wayne County Clerk. Visit the county page for full details on fees, requirements, and records.

View Wayne County Marriage License