Troy Michigan Marriage License

Troy residents who need a marriage license must apply through the Oakland County Clerk, not the City of Troy. Cities in Michigan do not issue marriage licenses; that authority belongs to the county clerk. Oakland County has convenient options for Troy residents, including a satellite office in Troy itself, so you may not need to travel to the main office in Pontiac. Both applicants must appear together, bring their documents, and wait three days after applying before the license is valid.

Oakland County Clerk Office for Troy Residents

Troy is one of the few cities in Oakland County with a satellite clerk location nearby. That said, the satellite office operates by appointment only on limited days, so the main Pontiac office is often more practical for walk-in visits.

The Troy satellite office is a major convenience for city residents. But it only operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and you need an appointment. Call (248) 858-0571 to schedule. If you need to apply quickly or can't get an appointment, go to the main office in Pontiac, which accepts walk-ins during regular hours.

Oakland County also has an online portal for purchasing certified copies of marriage records. Visit apps.oakgov.com for that service. Note that this portal is for copies of existing records, not for new license applications.

Note: Both applicants must be present together regardless of which location you use. You cannot apply separately.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Troy

You and your partner go to either the Troy satellite office (by appointment) or the main office in Pontiac. You complete the application form at the counter, show your documents, and pay the fee. After that, the three-day waiting period begins. MCL 551.101 requires this waiting period for all Michigan marriage license applicants unless a judge grants a waiver.

Once the waiting period passes, the license is valid for 33 days. Plan your ceremony date before you apply. If you apply too far in advance, you risk the 33-day window expiring. Most couples apply about a week to ten days before their ceremony date.

After the ceremony, your officiant must return the completed license to the Oakland County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must sign the license at the time of the ceremony. Brief your officiant on these rules in advance.

Required Documents

Both applicants need to bring the same documents. One missing item delays everything.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current Troy address (Michigan driver's license or state ID)
• Certified birth certificate from a government vital records office (not a hospital-issued birth record)
• 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 requirement catches many applicants off guard. A copy from the hospital is not acceptable. You need the one issued by the vital records office of the state where you were born. If you were born in Michigan, the MDHHS can provide a certified copy. If born in another state, contact that state's vital records office directly.

Processing for birth certificates from other states can take several weeks. If you're from a state that requires mail-in orders, build in at least a month of lead time. Some states have rush options for an extra fee.

Previous marriages add a step. A certified divorce decree or a spouse's death certificate must be presented. Plain copies may not be accepted. Call the Oakland County Clerk at (248) 858-0571 to confirm what format they need before your visit.

Note: Both people must be at least 18 to apply without parental consent. Ages 16 and 17 require written parental approval. Michigan does not issue licenses to anyone under 16.

Fees and Waiting Period

Oakland County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Troy residents are Oakland County residents, so the $20 rate applies if at least one applicant lives in Troy. If your partner lives outside Oakland County, confirm whether they pay the resident or non-resident rate; usually the resident rate applies to at least the county resident applicant.

Oakland County has one of the lowest waiting period waiver fees in the metro area: just $5. If you need to skip the three-day wait, petition a judge and pay $5 on top of the license fee. Total cost with a waiver would be $25 for a Troy resident. Approval is still at the judge's discretion.

The three-day waiting period starts on the application date. If you apply on a Monday, Thursday is the first valid ceremony day. Count holidays and confirm with the clerk if your target date falls during a holiday week.

Certified copies of your marriage record from Oakland County cost $15 for the first and $5 for each additional. Order extras when you first apply since you'll need them for name changes and insurance updates.

Note: All fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Oakland County Clerk at (248) 858-0571 before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Troy

Troy has solid civil ceremony options right in the city.

The 52nd District Court - Division 1 at 520 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084, phone (248) 524-3570, is the main local option for civil marriage ceremonies. Contact the court to ask about scheduling, availability, and fees. Not all courts handle ceremonies every day, so call to check before finalizing plans.

The Troy Mayor's Office at 500 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084, phone (248) 524-3301, is another option. Michigan law allows mayors to perform marriage ceremonies, and the Troy mayor or their authorized designee can officiate. Contact the office well in advance to ask about scheduling.

Michigan MCL 551.7 authorizes the following to perform ceremonies: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, charter township supervisors, and ordained ministers. Confirm your officiant's authorization before locking in the ceremony.

Note: Civil ceremony spots in Troy fill up, especially in May, June, and September. Plan ahead and contact both offices as soon as you know your ceremony date.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your marriage is recorded, certified copies are available from two sources.

Oakland County offers an online purchasing portal at apps.oakgov.com. This is a convenient way to order certified copies without visiting an office. You can also request copies in person at the main clerk office (1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac) or the Troy satellite location. The county fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy.

The Michigan MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666, maintains statewide marriage records dating back to 1867. Certified copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional. Rush processing adds $12. Order through VitalChek online or by appointment in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for details.

Michigan MDHHS handles certified marriage record requests for Troy and Oakland County residents, with state records dating back to 1867.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage law is primarily in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 requires both parties to appear together at the county clerk, sets the three-day waiting period, and establishes the minimum age requirement. MCL 551.104 sets the 10-day return deadline for officiants.

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

For name changes after your Troy ceremony, start at the Social Security Administration (free). Then update your driver's license at the Michigan Secretary of State. After those are updated, handle your bank accounts, insurance, and employer paperwork.

Nearby Cities

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

• Sterling Heights (Macomb County)
• Farmington Hills (Oakland County)
• Southfield (Oakland County)
• Rochester Hills (Oakland County)
• Waterford Township (Oakland County)

Oakland County Marriage License

Troy is in Oakland County. All marriage license applications for Troy 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