Find a Marriage License in Wyoming

Wyoming, Michigan residents who need a marriage license must apply at the Kent County Clerk's office in Grand Rapids. The City of Wyoming does not issue marriage licenses. All marriage license applications for Wyoming residents are handled by the Kent County Clerk, which is about four miles north of downtown Wyoming. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring the required documents, and wait three days before the license becomes valid.

Kent County Clerk Office for Wyoming Residents

Wyoming is in Kent County. The Kent County Clerk's office is in downtown Grand Rapids, a short drive from Wyoming. This is where all Wyoming residents must go to apply for a marriage license.

Kent County's office stays open until 4:45 PM, which is slightly later than most Michigan county clerks. That extra 15 minutes can make a difference for Wyoming residents traveling from the south end of the county who might hit traffic on 28th Street or Division Avenue heading into Grand Rapids.

Both applicants must appear together. You cannot complete the process at separate times or have a third party apply on your behalf. This is a state law requirement that applies to all Michigan residents.

Note: At least one applicant must be a Kent County resident to apply here. If neither of you lives in Kent County, you must apply in the county where one of you lives.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Wyoming

Both you and your partner go to the Kent County Clerk together. Fill out the application at the counter, present your documents, and pay the fee. After that, a 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 that costs extra and is not guaranteed.

After the three days pass, the license is valid for 33 days. Your ceremony must happen within that window. If it doesn't, the license expires and you'd need to reapply. Most couples in Wyoming apply about a week before their ceremony to give a buffer without risking expiration.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed, signed license to the Kent County Clerk within 10 days (MCL 551.104). Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must sign at the ceremony. Talk through these rules with your officiant before the wedding day.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the full document set. A missing item means a second trip to Grand Rapids.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current Wyoming 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

Many Wyoming residents get tripped up on the birth certificate. The copy that came from the hospital after you were born doesn't count. You need the certified copy from the vital records office of your birth state. If you were born in Michigan, the MDHHS can provide it at (517) 335-8666. If you were born elsewhere, you'll need to contact that state's vital records office.

Processing times for birth certificates vary by state. Some can turn them around in a week; others take a month or more. Don't wait until a few days before your planned ceremony to start this process. Give yourself at least four to six weeks of lead time.

If you were previously married, bring a certified copy of your divorce decree from the court that handled the case. For a deceased prior spouse, bring their certified death certificate. Call (616) 632-7640 to confirm what format the Kent County Clerk accepts.

Note: You must be at least 18 to apply without parental consent. Ages 16 and 17 can apply with written parental approval. Michigan law does not permit marriage licenses for anyone under 16.

Fees and Waiting Period

Kent County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Wyoming residents are Kent County residents and qualify for the $20 rate. If your partner lives outside Kent County, their fee may differ. Ask the clerk when you call.

The three-day waiting period begins on the application date. Apply on Monday; Thursday is the first valid ceremony day. Confirm with the clerk if your application date falls near a holiday and you're unsure how the count works.

Kent County does not separately publish a waiting period waiver fee on its website. If you need a waiver, you must petition a judge. Contact the clerk at (616) 632-7640 to ask about the current waiver process and any associated fees.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $10 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Kent County has some of the lower certified copy fees in the state. Order extras at the same time since the per-copy rate for additional copies is low.

Note: Fees can change. Call (616) 632-7640 to confirm current amounts before your visit.

Courthouse Ceremony Options in Wyoming

Wyoming has a local district court and a mayor's office where civil ceremonies can be performed.

The 62B District Court at 1155 28th Street SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, phone (616) 261-3200, handles civil court functions for Wyoming. Contact the court to ask about civil marriage ceremonies, availability, scheduling, and any fees. Court schedules vary, so call well before your planned ceremony date.

The Wyoming Mayor's Office is also at 1155 28th Street SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, phone (616) 530-7235, in the same building as the district court. Michigan law allows mayors to perform marriage ceremonies under MCL 551.7. Contact the mayor's office to ask whether the mayor or a designee is available to officiate and how far ahead you need to book.

Authorized officiants under Michigan MCL 551.7 include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, charter township supervisors, and ordained ministers. Confirm that your officiant is properly authorized before the ceremony.

Note: Both the 62B District Court and the Wyoming Mayor's Office are in the same complex at 1155 28th Street SW. That makes it easy to check both options in one visit.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your ceremony is filed, you can get certified copies from two sources.

From the Kent County Clerk at 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, phone (616) 632-7640, the cost is $10 for the first copy and $3 for each additional. Visit in person during regular hours. Kent County copies are among the more affordable in Michigan for certified copies.

Michigan MDHHS handles certified marriage record requests for Wyoming and Kent County residents, with state records dating back to 1867. The MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666, charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional. Rush processing adds $12. Order through VitalChek online or by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current ordering details. For recent marriages, the county copy is usually faster and cheaper. The state copy is useful if the county record is unavailable or if you need a state-issued document specifically.

Michigan Marriage Laws

Michigan marriage law is in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. MCL 551.101 sets the license requirement, the three-day waiting period, and who can apply. MCL 551.104 requires the officiant to return the signed license within 10 days. These rules apply to all Wyoming couples equally.

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

For name changes after your Wyoming ceremony, start with the Social Security Administration (free). Then go to the Michigan Secretary of State for your driver's license. After that, update your bank, insurance, and employer records.

Nearby Cities

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

• Grand Rapids (Kent County)

Kent County Marriage License

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

View Kent County Marriage License