Grand Rapids Michigan Marriage License
Getting a marriage license in Grand Rapids means visiting the Kent County Clerk, not City Hall. The City of Grand Rapids does not issue marriage licenses. The Kent County Clerk handles all applications for Grand Rapids residents and keeps the official record of every marriage in the county. The process involves a short online form, a quick in-person visit, and a three-day wait before the license is ready.
Grand Rapids Overview
Kent County Clerk Office for Grand Rapids
The Kent County Clerk's office is located at 300 Monroe Avenue NW in downtown Grand Rapids. This is the place where all Grand Rapids residents apply for a marriage license. The office is on the first floor of the Kent County Courthouse and is open five days a week.
| Office | Kent County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Floor 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | (616) 632-7640 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM |
| Website | kentcountymi.gov |
How to Apply for a Marriage License in Grand Rapids
Kent County lets you start the application online before you come in. The online form is at accesskent.com. There is a $3 fee to use the online application. This step saves time at the counter, but you still need to appear in person to finish the process.
At the clerk's office, both parties can appear together or one person can go if they have all the documents. After you submit and pay, the three-day waiting period begins. This is a state requirement under MCL 551.103. The clock starts the day you apply. Your license is issued after those three days and is valid for 33 days from the issue date.
If you need to marry sooner than three days, you can ask for a waiver of the waiting period. Kent County charges a fee for this. Check with the clerk's office for the current waiver cost. Waivers are not always granted automatically, so it helps to call ahead and explain your situation.
Required Documents for Grand Rapids Residents
Both parties need to show valid ID and provide personal information. Here is what to bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Government-issued birth certificate (not a hospital copy)
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- If previously married: certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate for each prior marriage
- Names and birth states of both parties' parents
Both parties must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent. If one applicant is 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must provide written consent. Michigan does not allow marriage for anyone under 16.
Your birth certificate must be a certified copy from a government vital records office. The copy given to your parents at the hospital when you were born is not an official government-issued certificate. If you do not have a certified copy, you can order one from MDHHS or from the vital records office in the state where you were born.
Fees and Waiting Period
Kent County charges $20 for resident marriage licenses and $30 for non-resident licenses. A resident is someone who lives in Kent County or whose partner lives in Kent County. The $3 online application fee is separate from the license fee.
Certified copies of marriage records from Kent County cost $10 for the first copy and $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. If you need copies right away, order them when you pick up your license after the ceremony is recorded. That saves a second trip.
The three-day waiting period runs from the day you apply. You do not need to do anything during those three days. Just come back after the wait is up to collect your license, or confirm whether the office will contact you when it is ready. Plan your ceremony date with the 33-day validity window in mind.
Courthouse Ceremony Options in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids has two district courts that offer civil marriage ceremonies. The 61st District Court holds ceremonies on most Fridays at 3:30 PM in Courtroom 1A at the Kent County Courthouse. The fee is $10. You must be a Grand Rapids resident to use this court. Bring two witnesses who are at least 18 years old.
The 63rd District Court at 1950 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, holds ceremonies on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30 PM. The fee is also $10. This court tends to book up fast, often two months or more in advance. Call (616) 632-5525 to check availability and schedule a time at either court.
If you want to hold your ceremony outdoors in a Grand Rapids park, the city's Parks and Recreation department can issue permits. Contact them at specialevents@grcity.us or call (616) 456-3378. Apply at least 90 days before your event. Liability insurance is required for park ceremonies. The Grand Rapids Parks page has more details.
Certified Copies and Marriage Records
After your ceremony, your officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Kent County Clerk within 10 days. This is required by MCL 551.104. Once the clerk records it, the marriage is official. You can then order certified copies from the county.
Kent County charges $10 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy. The state-level copies through MDHHS cost more: $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy, with a $12 rush fee if you need them fast. MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, and can be reached at (517) 335-8666.
You can order state records online through VitalChek or by mail. The MDHHS vital records page at michigan.gov/mdhhs has forms and instructions. For older records, Michiganology.org offers free access to digitized historical marriage records from Kent County.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Michigan's marriage laws are in MCL Chapter 551. The law sets out who can apply, where to apply, the waiting period, and what must happen after the ceremony. MCL 551.101 says that licenses are issued by county clerks, not cities. MCL 551.103 sets the three-day waiting period.
Under MCL 551.7, people who can legally perform a wedding in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. The ceremony must happen within 33 days of the license issue date and within Michigan. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must be present at the ceremony.
If you have questions about Michigan marriage law, the Michigan Courts website has self-help resources. The state bar and local legal aid can help with more complex situations, including name changes, prior marriages, or questions about out-of-state licenses.
Name Change After Marriage in Grand Rapids
Want to change your name after your Grand Rapids wedding? Start with the Social Security Administration. Bring your certified marriage certificate to your local SSA office. This step is free. The SSA will update its records first, and you need that done before most other agencies will act.
After SSA, visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch to update your driver's license or state ID. Bring your updated SSN card or proof the SSA change is in progress, plus your certified marriage certificate. The Michigan SOS website has a branch locator tool so you can find the nearest Grand Rapids office and check current wait times.
Once your ID and SSN records are updated, update your bank accounts, passport, insurance policies, and employer records. There's no fixed order for those, but doing SSA and SOS first makes it easier because other agencies often want to see a matching ID before making changes.
Kent County Marriage License
Grand Rapids is in Kent County. All marriage license applications for Grand Rapids residents go through the Kent County Clerk. Visit the county page for full details on fees, requirements, and records.