Get a Marriage License in Detroit
Detroit couples who need a marriage license must apply through the Wayne County Clerk, not the City of Detroit. The city does not issue marriage licenses. The Wayne County Clerk handles all applications for Detroit residents and maintains the official marriage records for the county. The process is straightforward once you know where to go and what to bring.
Detroit Overview
Wayne County Clerk Office for Detroit
The Wayne County Clerk's office is located in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit. This is where all Detroit residents go to apply for a marriage license. The office used to share the building with the City of Detroit's own vital records office, but that city office closed on December 13, 2013. All records from that office were transferred to the county.
| Office | Wayne County Clerk |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Website | waynecounty.com |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Detroit
You can apply in person at the Wayne County Clerk's office or start the process online. The county offers an online pre-application at evitals.waynecounty.com/onlinefiling. Filling this out ahead of time can save you time at the counter. You still need to appear in person to complete the application and pay the fee.
Both parties can appear together, or just one person can apply on behalf of both if they have all required documents. After you submit your application and pay, you must wait three days before the license is issued. This waiting period is set by state law under MCL 551.103. The license is valid for 33 days from the date it is issued.
If you need the license sooner than three days, you can request a waiver of the waiting period. Wayne County charges $10 for this waiver. Waivers are not guaranteed and require approval. Plan ahead if you can. The three-day wait is built in for a reason, and most couples find it easy to plan around.
Required Documents for Detroit Residents
Gather your documents before you go. Missing even one item means a second trip. Here is what you need:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Government-issued birth certificate (hospital birth certificates are not accepted)
- Social Security numbers for both parties
- If previously married: certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate for each prior marriage
- Names and birth states of both parties' parents
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. If either party is 16 or 17, parental consent is required under Michigan law. Those under 16 cannot obtain a marriage license in Michigan.
Make sure your birth certificate is a certified copy issued by a government office, not the copy given at the hospital when you were born. If you need a replacement, you can order one from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) or from the vital records office in the state where you were born.
Fees and Waiting Period
The fee for a marriage license in Wayne County is $20 for residents. If both parties live outside of Michigan or outside of Wayne County, the fee is $30. The waiting period waiver costs $10.
Fees are set by state law. The $20 resident fee applies when at least one of you has a Wayne County address. Bring cash or check; confirm accepted payment methods with the office before you go. The fee is paid when you submit your application.
Your license is good for 33 days. If you do not use it within that time, it expires and you have to apply again. Most ceremonies happen well within that window, but if you have a long engagement, wait to apply until you are closer to the wedding date.
Courthouse Ceremony Options in Detroit
Detroit has a good option for couples who want a simple civil ceremony. The 36th District Court offers marriage ceremonies every Wednesday. The fee is $10. You need two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. The court is located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, the same building as the Wayne County Clerk's office.
To schedule a ceremony at the 36th District Court, call (313) 965-2790. You must already have a valid Wayne County marriage license before you can schedule. The court does not issue licenses itself. Plan to have your license ready before you call.
The Detroit Mayor is also authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in Wayne County under MCL 551.7. Other options include judges, magistrates, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Detroit has many active religious congregations and independent officiants if you want something more personal than a courthouse ceremony.
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 filed, the marriage becomes an official record. You can then request certified copies from the county clerk.
You can also get certified copies from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The state has kept marriage records since 1867. The MDHHS office is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Their number is (517) 335-8666. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Rush processing adds $12.
You can order state copies online through VitalChek or by mail. The MDHHS vital records page at michigan.gov/mdhhs has order forms and instructions. For historical records, Michiganology.org has digitized older records that are free to search.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Michigan marriage law is found in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL). The key sections are MCL 551.101 through MCL 551.104. These cover who can marry, where to apply, the waiting period, and the officiant's duties.
Under MCL 551.7, the following people can legally perform a marriage in Michigan: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. The ceremony must take place within 33 days of the license issue date and within Michigan. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must be present.
Michigan does not have a common law marriage statute. The state also does not recognize common law marriages formed in Michigan after 1957. If you have questions about your legal rights or a prior marriage, Michigan Courts has self-help resources, and local legal aid offices can assist low-income residents.
Name Change After Marriage in Detroit
If you plan to change your name after getting married in Detroit, start with the Social Security Administration. Bring your certified marriage certificate to your local SSA office or mail in the form. This step is free. The SSA processes name changes separately from the state.
After SSA, go to a Michigan Secretary of State office to update your driver's license or state ID. You'll need your updated Social Security card or proof that the change is in progress, along with your marriage certificate. The Michigan SOS website at michigan.gov/sos has office locations and hours. There are many SOS branch offices in the Detroit metro area.
After your ID and SSN are updated, notify your bank, employer, insurance provider, and any other accounts that use your legal name. There is no strict order for those steps, but doing SSA and SOS first makes everything else easier.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in the Wayne County area where residents also get marriage licenses from the Wayne County Clerk:
Wayne County Marriage License
Detroit is in Wayne County. All marriage license applications for Detroit residents go through the Wayne County Clerk. Visit the county page for full details on fees, requirements, and records.