Marriage License in Lansing

Lansing couples who need a marriage license must apply through the Ingham County Clerk, not through a City of Lansing office. The city does not issue marriage licenses. The Ingham County Clerk operates a branch office in Lansing and a main office in Mason, which gives Lansing residents a convenient nearby option. The Lansing branch handles marriage license applications and is the most practical stop for most city residents.

Ingham County Clerk Office for Lansing

The Ingham County Clerk has a branch office right in Lansing at 313 W. Kalamazoo Street. This is the most convenient location for most Lansing residents. The main office is in Mason at 341 S. Jefferson, about 15 miles away. Both offices handle marriage license applications, but the Lansing branch is the practical choice for city residents.

Thursday evening hours (until 7:00 PM) are helpful for Lansing residents who work typical daytime shifts. The office closes for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 PM every day, so plan around that window. Online pre-application is available through the county clerk's website.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Lansing

You can start online before you go in person. The Ingham County Clerk's website at ingham.org has an online application option. Complete as much as possible ahead of time. You still need to appear in person at the clerk's office to finalize and pay.

After you apply and pay, the three-day waiting period begins under MCL 551.103. The license is issued after those three days. Once issued, it is valid for 33 days. If you need to marry in less than three days, Ingham County offers a waiting period waiver for $100. That is one of the highest waiver fees in Michigan. Call the office before applying if you think you might need a waiver.

Note: Most of Lansing is in Ingham County, but a small portion of the city may extend into Clinton County. If you live in the portion of Lansing that is in Clinton County, you would apply through the Clinton County Clerk. For most Lansing residents, Ingham County is the correct place to apply. If you are unsure which county you are in, check your voter registration or property tax records.

Required Documents for Lansing Residents

Bring these documents when you apply at the Ingham County Clerk's office:

• 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 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 to apply without parental consent. If one applicant is 16 or 17, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent. No one under 16 may get a marriage license in Michigan. Make sure prior marriage documents are certified copies, not just personal records.

Your birth certificate must be the certified version issued by a government vital records office. The copy handed to parents at the hospital is not a government-issued certificate. If you do not have a certified copy, you can order one from MDHHS (for Michigan-born applicants) or from the vital records office in the state where you were born.

Fees and Waiting Period

Ingham County charges $20 for a resident marriage license and $30 for non-residents. At least one party must live in Ingham County to qualify as a resident. The $100 waiting period waiver is the main fee to be aware of if you are in a hurry.

The three-day waiting period starts the day you apply. Your license is good for 33 days from the issue date. If your wedding is more than 33 days away, wait to apply. An expired license means applying again and paying a second fee. Most couples apply a week or two before the ceremony.

For certified copies after your marriage is recorded, check current fees with the county clerk. State copies from MDHHS cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional, with a $12 rush option. MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone: (517) 335-8666. As Michigan's capital, Lansing residents have easy access to MDHHS in person if needed.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Lansing

Lansing has two notable options for couples who want a civil ceremony. First, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum performs ceremonies at the Mason Historical Courthouse in Mason. Fees are $50 (or $70 if the office provides witnesses). To schedule, complete the online application first, then email the clerk's office to set a date. Ceremonies are available Monday through Friday when the Clerk is available.

The 54A District Court at 101 S. Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933, also offers marriage ceremonies. Contact the court at (517) 483-4406 to ask about availability. You need a valid Ingham County marriage license before any ceremony can take place.

Under MCL 551.7, Lansing's Mayor and other local officials are also authorized to perform weddings. Ordained ministers and other religious officiants are another common option throughout Lansing. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must be present at the ceremony regardless of who performs it.

Certified Copies and Marriage Records

After your ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the Ingham County Clerk. This is required by MCL 551.104. Once filed, the record is official. Order certified copies from the county clerk or from MDHHS.

Because Lansing is the state capital, the MDHHS vital records office at 333 S. Grand Ave is easy to reach in person. State copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional. Rush processing adds $12. You can also order online through VitalChek or by mail. Full instructions are at michigan.gov/mdhhs.

Michigan has kept official marriage records since 1867. Michiganology.org offers free access to digitized historical records. If you are researching older Ingham County marriages, it is a useful starting point before ordering certified copies.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan's marriage laws are in MCL Chapter 551. MCL 551.101 says that county clerks issue all marriage licenses. MCL 551.103 sets the three-day waiting period. MCL 551.104 gives the officiant 10 days after the ceremony to file the signed license with the county clerk.

Under MCL 551.7, the people who can perform a legal marriage ceremony in Michigan are: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must be present. The ceremony must happen in Michigan and within 33 days of the license issue date.

Michigan does not recognize common law marriages formed in Michigan after 1957. There is no state residency requirement to get a license, but you must apply in the county where at least one party lives. Questions about Michigan marriage law can be directed to Michigan Courts or to a local attorney.

Name Change After Marriage in Lansing

Name changes after a Lansing wedding start at the Social Security Administration. Bring your certified marriage certificate to an SSA office. This step is free. The SSA processes name changes quickly, often the same day or within a few business days.

After your SSN records are updated, go to a Michigan Secretary of State branch to update your driver's license or state ID. The Michigan SOS website shows branch locations in Lansing with wait time information. As the state capital, Lansing has several SOS offices to choose from.

After SSA and SOS, update your bank accounts, employer records, insurance policies, passport, and other accounts in whatever order works best for you. Most agencies want to see a matching government-issued photo ID before making a name change, which is why doing SSA and SOS first is the right sequence. The full process usually takes a few weeks when handled in order.

Ingham County Marriage License

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

View Ingham County Marriage License