Search Westland Marriage License

Westland residents who need a marriage license must apply through the Wayne County Clerk in Detroit. The City of Westland does not issue marriage licenses. All Wayne County residents, including those in Westland, apply at the same county clerk office. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring the required documents, and pay the license fee. After applying, there is a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid and you can hold your ceremony.

Wayne County Clerk Office for Westland Residents

Westland is in western Wayne County. The Wayne County Clerk's main office is in downtown Detroit, roughly 18 miles from Westland. There is no satellite office in Westland. Plan the commute and give yourself time for parking.

Wayne County offers an online pre-filing option through the eVitals portal. You can fill in your application details before your visit to reduce time at the counter. Even with pre-filing, you still must appear in person with your partner. Pre-filing just reduces paperwork at the window.

The office closes at 4:30 PM. Westland residents driving in from the west side of the county should leave enough buffer time for traffic, especially during rush hour. Early in the week and mid-morning tend to have shorter lines.

Note: At least one applicant must live in Wayne County to apply here. If neither of you lives in Wayne County, you would need to apply in the county where one of you resides.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Westland

Both you and your partner go to the Wayne County Clerk together. Complete the application, show your documents, pay the fee, and your three-day waiting period starts. Michigan law under MCL 551.101 requires this wait before the license becomes active. A judge can waive it, but you'd need to file a request and pay an additional fee.

The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. If you don't hold your ceremony within those 33 days, the license expires. You'd need to reapply and pay again. Most Westland couples apply one to two weeks before their ceremony to have a comfortable window without risking expiration.

After the ceremony, your officiant is required by MCL 551.104 to return the completed, signed license to the Wayne County Clerk within 10 days. Two witnesses who are at least 18 must sign at the ceremony. Talk to your officiant about these rules before the wedding day so there are no last-minute surprises.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring all required documents. One missing item means the application can't be processed that day.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current Westland address (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 copy of divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse
• Full names and birth states of both of your parents

The certified birth certificate is the most common issue. Many Westland residents still have a hospital copy, but that doesn't meet the requirement. You need the one issued by the state vital records office where you were born. Michigan residents can request this from the MDHHS. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office.

Expect a wait of at least a few weeks if you need to order a birth certificate by mail. Some states offer online ordering with faster turnaround. Start this process before you book your venue or set your ceremony date.

If either applicant was divorced, you'll need a certified copy of the final divorce judgment. If your previous spouse passed away, bring their certified death certificate. Standard photocopies may not be accepted. Confirm with the Wayne County Clerk at (313) 224-6262 what format is required.

Note: You must be 18 or older to apply without parental consent. Ages 16 and 17 can apply with a parent's written consent. No one under 16 can receive a Michigan marriage license.

Fees and Waiting Period

In Wayne County, the fee is $20 for residents. Westland residents are Wayne County residents, so the resident rate applies when at least one applicant lives in the county. If your partner lives outside Wayne County, they may be considered a non-resident at $30. Call the clerk to confirm before your visit.

The three-day waiting period is mandatory under state law. It starts on the day you file, not the day after. So if you apply on a Tuesday, Friday is the earliest valid ceremony day. Verify with the clerk if you're calculating around a holiday or weekend.

To waive the waiting period, you must petition a judge in Wayne County and pay a $10 waiver fee. Waivers are not automatic; the judge decides. If approved, your total costs would be $30 for a resident couple ($20 license + $10 waiver fee).

For certified copies, contact the Wayne County Clerk for current pricing. The MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy from state records.

Note: Fee schedules can change. Confirm current amounts with (313) 224-6262 before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Westland

Westland has a district court that can perform civil marriages, plus a mayor who is authorized to officiate.

The 18th District Court is right at 36601 Ford Road, Westland, MI 48185, phone (734) 595-7868. Contact the court to ask about ceremony availability and scheduling. Some courts do ceremonies on specific days only, so call ahead rather than just showing up.

The Westland Mayor's Office is also at 36601 Ford Road, Westland, MI 48185, phone (734) 467-3200. Michigan law allows mayors to perform marriage ceremonies. Contact the office to ask whether the mayor or a designee is available and how far in advance you need to schedule.

Under MCL 551.7, the authorized officiants in Michigan are judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, charter township supervisors, and ordained ministers. Make sure your officiant qualifies. If you're using an ordained minister, their ordination must be valid under Michigan law.

Note: Both the court and mayor's office are in the same building, which is also Westland City Hall. That makes coordination easy if you want to visit both to compare options.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

You'll need certified copies of your marriage record after the ceremony for name changes and legal purposes.

The Wayne County Clerk maintains the record once your officiant files the license. Contact (313) 224-6262 or visit 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit for current fees and processing times. Wayne County copies are often available within a few business days of the record being filed.

Michigan MDHHS handles certified marriage record requests for Westland and Wayne County residents, with state records dating back to 1867. The MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666. A certified copy costs $34 for the first one and $16 for each additional. Rush service adds $12. You can order online through VitalChek or in person by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current ordering options.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage law is in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 covers the license requirement, waiting period, and eligibility. MCL 551.104 covers the officiant return deadline. These laws apply to all Westland couples equally.

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

After your ceremony, start your name change at the Social Security Administration. It's free and is the first step before updating any other records. Then update your driver's license at the Michigan Secretary of State. After those are done, handle your bank, insurance, and employer records.

Nearby Cities

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

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

Wayne County Marriage License

Westland is in Wayne County. All marriage license applications for Westland 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