Marriage License Records in Benzie County
Benzie County marriage license applications are handled at the county clerk's office in Beulah, the county seat in northwestern Lower Michigan near Sleeping Bear Dunes and Crystal Lake. Both people planning to marry must appear together at the clerk's office, present valid identification with their current address, bring an official birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit. Michigan requires a three-day waiting period after you apply. The license is valid for 33 days once issued.
Benzie County Overview
Benzie County Clerk Office
The Benzie County Clerk is at 448 Court Place in Beulah. This is where you apply for a marriage license, return to pick it up after the waiting period ends, and can request copies of marriage records on file. The clerk handles all vital record filings for the county.
| Office | Benzie County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 448 Court Place, Beulah, MI 49617 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Benzie County is a popular area for weddings because of its scenery. Non-residents who plan to marry in the county can apply at the Beulah clerk's office and will pay $30 instead of $20. Call the office before your visit to confirm current hours and payment options. Small county offices sometimes have limited staffing or reduced summer hours even when demand is higher.
How to Apply in Benzie County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together. No one can file for the other. Each person signs the sworn affidavit in front of the clerk, which is required under MCL 551.102. You pay the fee when you file. The three-day waiting period then begins.
The waiting period starts on the day you apply. The license becomes available on the fourth day. If day four lands on a weekend or holiday, the first business day after that is when you can pick it up. Plan your ceremony after that pickup date so you don't run into problems.
In some cases a judge can waive the three-day waiting period. There is usually an additional fee. It's not automatic, and approval is not guaranteed. If you need the license in a hurry, contact the clerk's office as soon as you can to find out whether a waiver is possible and what it costs in Benzie County.
Michiganology.org provides free online access to historical Michigan vital records for genealogy and family history research. For older Benzie County records, visit michiganology.org/vital-records/.
Michiganology has digitized historical vital records and provides free public access for genealogical searches.
Requirements and Documents
The Benzie County Clerk requires the same documents as every Michigan county. Both applicants must bring their own complete set of documents. An incomplete application cannot be processed.
- Valid government-issued photo ID showing your current home address
- Official birth certificate from a government source (not a hospital copy)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Certified divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse, if applicable
- Full names and birthplaces of both applicants' parents
Both people must be 18 or older to apply on their own. Those who are 16 or 17 need written parental or guardian consent. No one under 16 can marry in Michigan. The clerk checks IDs and will ask for supporting documents if there is any question about age.
The affidavit is sworn under penalty of law. MCL 551.108 makes it a crime to give false information when applying for a marriage license. Answer every question truthfully and completely before signing.
Fees and Waiting Period
Benzie County residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. Michigan law sets these fees for all 83 counties. Ask the clerk's office in advance what forms of payment they accept, especially if you're traveling from out of the area.
The three-day waiting period is mandatory under MCL 551.103a. It starts the day you apply. The license is valid for 33 days after it's issued. If your ceremony doesn't take place within those 33 days, the license expires and you would need to start the process again and pay the fee again.
Note: The 33-day window moves fast if you have other tasks to handle before the wedding. Apply early enough that you have time to plan the ceremony comfortably within the validity period.
Certified Copies and Records
After your ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Benzie County Clerk within 10 days. This deadline comes from MCL 551.104. The county then files the record and sends it to the MDHHS. After that, you can order certified copies from the state.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) maintains state marriage records since 1867 and offers certified copies through their vital records portal. The first certified copy costs $34. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Rush processing is available for an extra $12. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. The MDHHS can be reached at (517) 335-8666 or at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933.
Request copies at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.
Certified copies ordered through the MDHHS are accepted by government agencies, employers, and financial institutions across the country.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Like every county in Michigan, Benzie County operates under Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. These statutes govern the entire marriage license process from start to finish.
MCL 551.101 gives county clerks the authority to issue licenses. The sworn affidavit is required by MCL 551.102. Age rules appear in MCL 551.103. The waiting period and validity window are in MCL 551.103a. MCL 551.104 requires officiants to return the completed license within 10 days.
Under MCL 551.7, judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers can perform legal ceremonies in Michigan. Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must be present at the ceremony. The officiant is responsible for the on-time return of the paperwork.
Name changes after marriage follow a set order: start at the Social Security Administration (no cost), then the Secretary of State, then your financial institutions and employer.
Nearby Counties
Benzie County is next to Grand Traverse County to the east. Manistee and Leelanau counties are also adjacent but do not currently have pages on this site.