Find a Marriage License in Berrien County
Berrien County marriage licenses are issued by the Berrien County Clerk at 701 Main Street in St. Joseph. The clerk's office handles applications, fees, and vital records requests. Berrien County has kept marriage records going back to 1831, making it one of the older records collections in southwest Michigan. This page covers how to apply, what documents you need, fee amounts, and how to search or order Berrien County marriage records.
Berrien County Overview
Berrien County Clerk Office
The Berrien County Clerk is located at 701 Main Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone number is 269-983-7111. For questions specifically about marriage licenses, use extension 8233. You can also fax documents to 269-982-8642. The main county website is berriencounty.org.
The clerk's marriage license page is at berriencounty.org/228. That page has the current application form and links to supporting information. You'll also find guidance on the getting-married process at berriencounty.org/1056.
| Office | Berrien County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 Main Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085 |
| Phone | 269-983-7111 ext. 8233 |
| Fax | 269-982-8642 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | berriencounty.org |
The screenshot below shows the main Berrien County website at berriencounty.org, which is the starting point for finding the clerk's marriage license section.
From the main site, navigate to the Clerk section and then to Marriage Licenses to find the current application, forms, and contact details.
How to Apply for a Berrien County Marriage License
Under MCL 551.101, Michigan residents must apply in their county of residence. If you live in Berrien County, you apply here and can marry anywhere in the state. Out-of-state residents must apply in the county where the wedding will take place. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office to apply. The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102, and both must sign in person.
Both parties need to be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 need parental consent. Anyone 15 or younger needs both parental consent and approval from the probate court. No exceptions apply at the Berrien County Clerk's office. If either party used a passport instead of a birth certificate, they must also provide their parents' full names and the state or country where their parents were born.
The Berrien County marriage license application page at berriencounty.org/228 has the printable form and a summary of requirements.
The application page shows the current version of the form, lists required documents, and links to related resources on the county site.
Note: Both applicants must appear together at the Berrien County Clerk's office to complete the sworn affidavit in person.
Documents Needed for Your Berrien County Application
Bring the right documents or you'll have to come back. The clerk will not issue a license without complete paperwork. Each applicant must present a valid driver's license or state ID showing your current address, along with a birth certificate or valid passport for age verification.
Both parties must also provide Social Security numbers as required under MCL 551.102. If either person was previously married, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate if widowed. Divorce records from out-of-state courts are accepted but must be final judgments, not separation agreements.
If you're using a passport as your ID, remember to also bring documentation showing your parents' full names and birthplaces. This is specific to passport holders applying in Berrien County and is not always clearly noted elsewhere.
Berrien County Marriage License Fees
The fee for a Berrien County marriage license is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents. These are the standard state-set fees. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
After the license is issued, there is a three-day wait before the ceremony can take place. This is required under MCL 551.103a. The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. If your ceremony falls outside that window, you'll need to apply for a new license. Most couples apply about one to two weeks before the wedding to leave enough room without the license expiring.
The getting-married guide at berriencounty.org/1056 summarizes the full process in plain terms.
The guide walks through each step from application to ceremony and record return, and it covers both resident and out-of-state applicants.
Marriage Ceremonies at Berrien County's 5th District Court
If you want a civil ceremony in Berrien County, the 5th District Court performs them. Judges and magistrates are available for ceremonies on Thursdays and Fridays at 3:30 PM and 3:45 PM. You must arrive 15 minutes early. The ceremony fee is $10. You need two witnesses present, and all parties must bring a driver's license or passport as identification.
To schedule a ceremony at the 5th District Court, you must already have your marriage license in hand. The three-day wait must have passed. When you arrive, bring the marriage license along with the two envelopes provided by the clerk at the time of application. Two witnesses must also be present. Make sure both witnesses are adults and have photo ID. The signed license will be returned to the clerk after the ceremony.
Under MCL 551.7, authorized officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks. The 5th District Court option is a convenient and low-cost choice for couples who prefer a simple civil ceremony without outside planning. Check Michigan Courts for more details on district court ceremonies across the state.
Note: Berrien County's 5th District Court holds civil marriage ceremonies only on Thursdays and Fridays at 3:30 PM and 3:45 PM, and couples must arrive 15 minutes early.
Berrien County Marriage Records and Vital Records
After your ceremony, your officiant must sign the license and return it to the Berrien County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. That signed license is the official record on file. Berrien County holds marriage records going back to 1831. The clerk's vital records section at berriencounty.org/378 handles copy requests and provides information on ordering procedures.
You can also order Berrien County marriage records through VitalChek by phone at 888-243-0055. The VitalChek service fee is $12.95 on top of the certificate cost. For older and historical records, the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office maintains statewide records back to 1867. A certified copy from the state costs $34 for the first and $16 for each additional. Rush processing adds $12. Call MDHHS at (517) 335-8666 to order by phone.
The Berrien County vital records page is the fastest way to request a local copy from the clerk directly.
The vital records page lists current fees, processing times, and accepted payment methods for certified marriage certificate requests.
Name Change After Marriage in Berrien County
Once your signed license is on record with the Berrien County Clerk, you can start the name change process. The first step is updating your Social Security card at ssa.gov. No fee applies for this update. Bring your certified marriage certificate, current ID, and proof of citizenship or immigration status. After your SSA card is updated, visit the Michigan Secretary of State to change your driver's license or state ID. Bring the updated Social Security card and your marriage certificate. For genealogy research on older Berrien County marriages, Michiganology and Vital Records Online Michigan both have searchable archives worth checking.
Cities in Berrien County
Berrien County includes several communities, but none currently qualify for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Berrien County is in the far southwest corner of Michigan. If you live near the county borders, check your address before choosing where to apply.