Farmington Hills Michigan Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Farmington Hills, you apply through the Oakland County Clerk, not the city itself. Farmington Hills does not issue marriage licenses. The Oakland County Clerk handles all applications for city residents, with the main office in Pontiac and a satellite location available by appointment. Both partners must appear together, provide their documents, and wait three days before the license is active.

Oakland County Clerk Office for Farmington Hills Residents

Farmington Hills is in the southern part of Oakland County. The main clerk office is in Pontiac, about 25 miles north. A Troy satellite location is also available but requires an appointment and operates on limited days.

Both applicants must appear together at the same time. You cannot split up the process or send someone on your behalf. If the Troy satellite is more convenient, call (248) 858-0571 to schedule an appointment before heading out, since it is appointment-only.

Oakland County's online portal at apps.oakgov.com lets you purchase certified copies of existing marriage records online. That's for copies only, not for new license applications, which still require a personal visit.

Note: If neither applicant lives in Oakland County, you must apply in the county where one of you resides. At least one applicant must have an Oakland County address to apply here.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Farmington Hills

Both you and your partner go to the Oakland County Clerk together. You complete the application form, show your documents, and pay the fee. The three-day waiting period begins that day. Under MCL 551.101, this wait is required by state law. The only way to skip it is to petition a judge and pay the waiver fee.

Your license is valid for 33 days. Plan around this window. Apply about a week before your ceremony to give yourself flexibility without risking expiration. If the license expires before the ceremony, you'd have to start over.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Oakland County Clerk within 10 days (MCL 551.104). Two witnesses who are 18 or older must sign at the ceremony. Go over these requirements with your officiant well before the wedding day.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the same set of documents. A missing document means no license that day.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current Farmington Hills address (driver's license or state ID)
• Certified birth certificate from a government vital records office (hospital birth records are not accepted)
• Social Security number for each applicant
• If previously married: certified divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse
• Full names and birth states of both parents

The certified birth certificate is the item most likely to cause a delay. Many people have a hospital-issued record, but that isn't sufficient. You need the official version from the vital records office of the state where you were born. Michigan residents can order through the MDHHS. Other states have their own vital records offices.

Order your birth certificate early. Depending on the state, processing can take two to six weeks by mail. If you're in a hurry, check whether your birth state offers an expedited option. Some do for an extra fee.

If you were previously married, bring the certified divorce decree from the court that issued it. For a deceased prior spouse, bring their certified death certificate. Call the clerk at (248) 858-0571 to confirm exactly what format is acceptable before you come in.

Note: You must be at least 18 to apply without parental consent. Applicants ages 16 and 17 can apply with written parental approval. No one under 16 can receive a Michigan marriage license.

Fees and Waiting Period

Oakland County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Farmington Hills residents qualify at the $20 rate. If your partner lives outside Oakland County, they may pay $30. Confirm with the clerk when you call.

The three-day waiting period begins on your application date. Apply on a Monday, and Thursday is the earliest you can hold your ceremony. If you're timing this around a specific venue date, count carefully and call the clerk if you're unsure how holidays affect the count.

Oakland County has one of the lowest waiting period waiver fees in the region at just $5. If you need to waive the waiting period, petition a judge and pay the $5 waiver fee on top of the $20 license fee. Total with waiver: $25 for a resident. Waivers are granted at the judge's discretion.

Certified copies from Oakland County cost $15 for the first and $5 for each additional copy. Order extras when you first request them since you'll likely need multiple copies for name changes, insurance, and other purposes.

Note: Confirm fees before your visit. Amounts can change. Call (248) 858-0571 to verify.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills has local options for civil ceremonies.

The 47th District Court at 31605 W. 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, phone (248) 871-2900, can perform civil marriage ceremonies. Call the court to ask about scheduling, available days, and any fees. Courts handle ceremonies differently, so it's worth calling to understand the process before you commit to a date.

Oakland County court records at oaklandcountycourt.org allow Farmington Hills residents to search for marriage records and other vital documents online.

The Farmington Hills Mayor's Office at 31555 W. 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, phone (248) 871-2410, is another option. Michigan law authorizes mayors to perform marriage ceremonies. Contact the office to ask about availability and scheduling. Popular dates fill up quickly, so reach out early.

Under MCL 551.7, authorized officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, charter township supervisors, and ordained ministers. Verify your officiant's qualifications before confirming them for your ceremony.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your ceremony is filed, you can get certified copies from the Oakland County Clerk or from the state.

Oakland County's online portal at apps.oakgov.com is a convenient way to order certified copies without visiting the office. You can also visit 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, in person. The fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional one.

Farmington Hills and Oakland County residents can request certified copies of marriage records through the Michigan MDHHS vital records portal.

The MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666, charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional. Rush processing adds $12. Order through VitalChek or in person by appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current details.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan's marriage statutes are in Chapter 551. MCL 551.101 is the main law covering the license requirement, the three-day waiting period, and who can apply. MCL 551.104 sets the 10-day rule for officiants to return the signed license.

For name changes after your Farmington Hills ceremony, start at the Social Security Administration (free). Then update your driver's license at the Michigan Secretary of State. After those two are done, update your bank, insurance, employer, and any other records that use your legal name.

Nearby Cities

Other Michigan cities near Farmington Hills where residents can find marriage license information:

• Southfield (Oakland County)
• Troy (Oakland County)
• Waterford Township (Oakland County)

Oakland County Marriage License

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

View Oakland County Marriage License