Get a Marriage License in Flint

A marriage license in Flint is issued by the Genesee County Clerk, not by the City of Flint. Flint is the county seat of Genesee County, so the clerk's office is conveniently located right in the city. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring required documents, and pay the fee. After applying, there is a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid. Flint residents should note that Genesee County has some of the stricter document requirements in the state, so read the document section carefully before your visit.

Genesee County Clerk - Vital Records Division

The Genesee County Clerk's Vital Records Division is the office that handles all marriage license applications for Flint residents. The office is in downtown Flint, making it easy to reach for city residents.

Genesee County offers an online application portal through Fidlar Technologies. You can start the process online before your visit. Both applicants still need to appear in person to finalize the application, but the online portal can save time. Check the portal for current availability and instructions.

The office closes at 4:00 PM, which is earlier than many other county clerks in Michigan. Flint residents should plan to arrive with plenty of time before closing. Showing up at 3:45 PM may not leave enough time to complete the process.

Note: Both applicants must appear together. You cannot submit the application separately or use a representative.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Flint

Both you and your partner go to the Genesee County Clerk together. You complete the application, present your documents, and pay. The three-day waiting period starts that day. MCL 551.101 sets this requirement. The only way around it is to get a judge to issue a waiver, which costs extra and is not guaranteed.

Once the three days are up, the license is valid for 33 days. Hold your ceremony in that window. If you miss it, the license expires and you'd need to reapply. Most Flint couples apply about one week before their ceremony to stay safely within the 33-day window.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed, signed license to the Genesee County Clerk within 10 days (MCL 551.104). Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must also sign at the ceremony. Talk to your officiant about these rules before your wedding day.

Required Documents

Genesee County has stricter document requirements than many other Michigan counties. Both applicants must bring the following, and there are no exceptions.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with current address (Michigan driver's license or state ID)
• BOTH a certified birth certificate OR valid passport AND a valid state photo ID are required, with no exceptions
• 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 for each applicant

The document rule in Genesee County is firm. You must bring either a certified birth certificate from a government vital records office OR a valid passport. And you must also bring a valid state photo ID. Both documents are required. This is stricter than what some other Michigan counties ask for.

Do not bring a hospital birth record. Hospital-issued copies are not accepted anywhere in Michigan, but Genesee County is especially clear about this. The document must come from the vital records office of the state where you were born. Michigan-born applicants can order from the MDHHS. Other states have their own vital records offices.

Previous marriages require a certified copy of the divorce judgment or the deceased spouse's death certificate. Photocopies are generally not accepted. Call (810) 257-3225 ahead of time to confirm what format is acceptable.

Note: Out-of-state non-residents pay an additional $10 processing fee on top of the $30 non-resident license fee. Call to confirm current totals.

Fees and Waiting Period

Genesee County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. At least one applicant must be a Genesee County resident to apply here at the resident rate. Out-of-state non-residents also pay an additional $10 processing fee, bringing their total to $40.

The three-day waiting period starts when you apply. Apply on Tuesday, and Friday is the earliest your ceremony can take place. The count is based on calendar days, though holidays and weekends may affect things. Call the clerk at (810) 257-3225 to confirm if your application date falls near a holiday.

Genesee County's waiting period waiver fee is $25. This is higher than most other Michigan counties. If you need to skip the wait, petition a judge and pay $25 in addition to the license fee. With a waiver, a resident couple would pay $45 total.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $25 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. For mail orders, payment must be by money order made payable to Genesee County Clerk. Do not mail cash.

Note: Fee amounts can change. Confirm current fees at (810) 257-3225 before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Flint

Flint has local civil ceremony options for couples who want a courthouse wedding.

The 7th Judicial Circuit Court - Family Division at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502, phone (810) 257-3252, can perform civil marriage ceremonies. This is the same building as the county clerk, which makes scheduling convenient. Contact the court to ask about availability and fees. Some courts do ceremonies by appointment only.

The Flint Mayor's Office at 1101 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502, phone (810) 766-7346, is another option. Michigan law allows mayors to perform marriages. Contact the mayor's office to ask about availability and how far in advance you need to schedule.

Michigan MCL 551.7 authorizes judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, charter township supervisors, and ordained ministers to perform ceremonies. Make sure whoever you choose is on this list and that their credentials are in order under Michigan law.

Note: Civil ceremony schedules fill up around popular wedding dates. Contact both offices as soon as you know your ceremony date.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

Certified copies of your Flint-area marriage record are available from two sources after the record is filed.

From the Genesee County Clerk at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502, phone (810) 257-3225, the cost is $25 for the first copy and $10 for each additional. For in-person requests, go during regular hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM). For mail orders, send a money order payable to Genesee County Clerk along with your written request. No cash by mail.

Michigan MDHHS handles certified marriage record requests for Flint and Genesee County residents, with state records dating back to 1867. The MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666. Certified copies cost $34 for the first one and $16 for each additional. Rush processing adds $12. Order through VitalChek online or in person by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for ordering options and current processing times.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage law is in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 covers the license requirement, three-day waiting period, and eligibility. It requires both applicants to appear in person and sets 16 as the minimum age (with parental consent). MCL 551.104 sets the 10-day deadline for officiants to return the signed license.

Michiganology.org provides free access to historical Michigan vital records, useful for researching marriage records from Flint and Genesee County.

After your ceremony, start your name change at the Social Security Administration (free). Then go to the Michigan Secretary of State to update your driver's license or state ID. Handle banks, insurance, and employer records after those two are done.

Genesee County Marriage License

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

View Genesee County Marriage License