Rochester Hills Michigan Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Rochester Hills, you apply at the Oakland County Clerk, not the City of Rochester Hills. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in Michigan. The Oakland County Clerk in Pontiac handles all applications for Rochester Hills residents, with a satellite option available by appointment in nearby Troy. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring the required documents, pay the fee, and wait three days before the license is valid.

Oakland County Clerk Office for Rochester Hills Residents

Rochester Hills is in the northeastern part of Oakland County. The main clerk office is in Pontiac, about 15 miles to the west. A Troy satellite location may be more convenient for some Rochester Hills residents, though it requires an appointment.

If the Troy satellite works for your location in Rochester Hills, call (248) 858-0571 to book an appointment before heading over. The satellite is appointment-only and is not open every day. If you need a walk-in option, go to the main Pontiac office, which is open Monday through Friday without an appointment requirement.

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

Note: Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. Neither can complete the process alone, and no one can act as a representative.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Rochester Hills

Both you and your partner appear together at the Oakland County Clerk. You fill out the application, present your documents, and pay. The three-day waiting period begins on the date of application. MCL 551.101 mandates this wait under Michigan law. A judge can waive it, but it costs extra and is not guaranteed.

After the three days, the license is valid for 33 days. Your ceremony must take place in that window. If you let the 33 days pass without holding the ceremony, the license expires and you'd need to reapply. Most Rochester Hills couples apply about one week before their planned ceremony date to give a reasonable buffer.

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

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the complete document set. One missing item means no license that day.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current Rochester Hills address (driver's license or state ID)
• Certified birth certificate from a government vital records office (hospital 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 for each applicant

The certified birth certificate is the document that causes the most delays. A hospital-issued birth record or an uncertified copy does not satisfy the requirement. You need the certified version from the vital records office of the state where you were born. Michigan-born applicants can get one from the MDHHS at (517) 335-8666. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office.

Build in time for the birth certificate before you plan your ceremony. Some states process requests in a week or two; others take four to six weeks by mail. If you're from a state with slow processing, order early or look for an expedited option.

For previous marriages, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree from the court that handled the case. For a deceased prior spouse, bring their certified death certificate. Call (248) 858-0571 to confirm what format Oakland County requires.

Note: Both applicants must be at least 18 without parental consent. Ages 16 and 17 can apply with written parental approval. Michigan law does not permit anyone under 16 to receive a marriage license.

Fees and Waiting Period

Oakland County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Rochester Hills residents are Oakland County residents and qualify for the $20 rate. If your partner lives outside Oakland County, their fee may be $30. Confirm with the clerk.

The three-day waiting period starts on the application date. Apply on Monday; Thursday is the earliest ceremony day. If there's a holiday in your three-day window, call the clerk to confirm how that affects the count.

Oakland County's waiting period waiver fee is $5, one of the lowest in the state. If you need to waive the wait, petition a judge and pay $5 on top of the $20 license fee. Total with waiver: $25 for a Rochester Hills resident. The judge decides whether to grant it.

Certified copies from Oakland County cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional. Order extras when you first request them to avoid extra trips or processing delays.

Note: Fees may change. Confirm current amounts at (248) 858-0571 before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Rochester Hills

Rochester Hills has local civil ceremony options close to home.

The 52nd District Court - Division 3 at 700 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48307, phone (248) 652-5500, is the local district court for Rochester Hills. Contact the court to ask about civil marriage ceremony availability, scheduling, and fees. Some courts reserve specific days for ceremonies; others take appointments as available. Call before you finalize your plans.

The Rochester Hills Mayor's Office at 1000 Rochester Hills Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, phone (248) 656-4664, is another option. Michigan law allows mayors to perform marriage ceremonies under MCL 551.7. Contact the mayor's office to ask about availability and how far in advance you need to schedule.

Authorized officiants in Michigan under MCL 551.7 include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, charter township supervisors, and ordained ministers. Make sure your officiant is on this list before confirming them for the ceremony.

Note: Popular ceremony dates fill fast. Contact both offices as soon as you know your wedding date, especially for June, September, and October dates.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your ceremony is filed, certified copies are available from two sources.

Oakland County's online portal at apps.oakgov.com is a convenient option for ordering copies without visiting the office. You can also request copies in person at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, or at the Troy satellite by appointment. The fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional.

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

Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current ordering options and fees.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage law lives in Chapter 551. MCL 551.101 covers the license requirement, the three-day waiting period, and who can apply. MCL 551.104 sets the 10-day return deadline for officiants. These rules apply uniformly to all Michigan counties, including Oakland.

Michiganology.org provides free access to historical Michigan vital records, useful for researching marriage records from Rochester Hills and Oakland County.

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

Nearby Cities

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

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

Oakland County Marriage License

Rochester Hills is in Oakland County. All marriage license applications for Rochester 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