Marriage License in Livonia

Livonia does not issue marriage licenses on its own. If you live in Livonia and want to get married, your marriage license application goes through the Wayne County Clerk in Detroit. Livonia is part of Wayne County, so the county clerk handles all license applications for city residents. Both people getting married must appear together in person at the clerk's office. The process is the same for all Wayne County residents, with set fees and a required waiting period before the license becomes active.

Wayne County Clerk Office for Livonia Residents

Livonia residents apply at the Wayne County Clerk. The office is in downtown Detroit, about 20 miles from central Livonia. There is no satellite office in Livonia or western Wayne County, so plan for the commute.

Wayne County offers online pre-filing through its eVitals portal. You can fill out the application before your visit to cut down on time at the counter. Even so, both applicants must still appear in person to complete the process and pay. Pre-filing just means less paperwork to fill out when you arrive.

The office closes at 4:30 PM sharp. If you arrive late in the day, you may not be served. Go earlier in the week and earlier in the day if you can. Monday mornings can be busy. Wednesday or Thursday mid-morning tends to move faster.

Note: If neither you nor your partner lives in Wayne County, you cannot apply here. Michigan law requires you to apply in the county where at least one applicant lives.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Livonia

Both you and your partner go to the Wayne County Clerk's office together. You complete the application, show your documents, and pay the fee. That's when the three-day waiting period begins. The law behind this is MCL 551.101, which requires a waiting period for all marriage license applicants in Michigan unless a judge grants a waiver.

After three days, the license is valid. You then have 33 days to hold your ceremony. If the ceremony doesn't happen in that window, the license expires. You'd need to start over and pay again. Most couples apply one to two weeks before the ceremony to give themselves a safe buffer without cutting it too close to expiration.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed, signed license to the Wayne County Clerk within 10 days. This is required under MCL 551.104. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must sign the license at the ceremony. Make sure you have this covered before the ceremony day.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the full set of documents. One missing item means you'll need to come back.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current Livonia address (driver's license or state ID)
• Certified birth certificate issued by a government vital records office (hospital birth records are not accepted)
• Your Social Security number (have your card if possible)
• If previously married: certified divorce decree or certified death certificate for a deceased former spouse
• Full names and birth states of both of your parents

The certified birth certificate is often the stumbling block. Many Livonia residents have a copy of the birth announcement or a hospital record, but those don't satisfy the requirement. You need a certified copy from the vital records office of the state where you were born. If you were born in Michigan, contact the MDHHS. If born elsewhere, reach out to that state's vital records division.

Processing times vary by state but can take two to four weeks or longer. Order your certified birth certificate well in advance of when you plan to apply for the license. You don't want to delay your wedding plans because of document processing times.

If either applicant was previously married, bring the court-issued divorce decree or the death certificate. Copies are not always enough; the clerk may ask for certified copies. Check with the Wayne County Clerk before your visit if you're unsure what type of copy is acceptable.

Note: You must be 18 or older to apply without parental consent. Applicants who are 16 or 17 can apply with a parent's written consent. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Michigan.

Fees and Waiting Period

The fee in Wayne County is $20 if at least one applicant is a Wayne County resident. Livonia residents qualify for the resident rate. If your partner lives in another county or another state, they may be classified as a non-resident. The non-resident fee is $30. Confirm with the clerk when you call to be sure.

The three-day waiting period is the law, not just a suggestion. It starts the day you file the application. If you apply on a Tuesday, the earliest your ceremony can take place is Friday. Some couples get confused about whether weekends count; ask the clerk to confirm based on your specific application date.

Need to skip the waiting period? You must petition a Wayne County judge. The fee for the waiver is $10 in Wayne County. Waivers are not guaranteed. The judge decides whether circumstances justify it. Even if granted, you still pay the waiver fee on top of the license fee.

Note: Fees can change. Call the clerk at (313) 224-6262 to confirm current amounts before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Livonia

You don't need a religious ceremony to get married in Livonia. Civil ceremony options are available locally.

The 16th District Court at 32765 Five Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154, phone (734) 466-2500, can perform civil marriage ceremonies. Call the court to ask about availability, scheduling, and any fees for the ceremony. Some courts charge a small ceremony fee separate from the license fee.

Livonia's Mayor's Office at 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, MI 48154, phone (734) 466-2201, is another option. Michigan law allows mayors to perform marriage ceremonies, so the Livonia mayor or their designee can officiate if the schedule allows. Contact the mayor's office to ask about availability.

Under MCL 551.7, the full list of people authorized to perform marriages in Michigan includes: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, township supervisors of charter townships, and ordained ministers. Verify your officiant qualifies before the ceremony.

Note: Call both the 16th District Court and the mayor's office well in advance. Popular dates fill up quickly.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your marriage is recorded, you'll need certified copies for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. Two sources can provide them.

The Wayne County Clerk maintains the record after your ceremony is filed. Contact them at (313) 224-6262 or visit in person at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, to ask about the current process and fees for certified copies.

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

Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current instructions and ordering links. Order extra copies when you first request them because the per-copy cost drops for additional copies ordered at the same time.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage law is mostly in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 lays out the license requirement, waiting period, and who can apply. The law requires both applicants to appear together at the county clerk. No one under 16 can get a license.

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

For a name change after your Livonia ceremony, start with the Social Security Administration (it's free). Then visit the Michigan Secretary of State to update your driver's license. After those two are done, update your bank, insurance, and employer. The SSA website walks through the name change steps in detail.

Nearby Cities

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

• Dearborn (Wayne County)
• Canton Township (Wayne County)
• Westland (Wayne County)

Wayne County Marriage License

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

View Wayne County Marriage License