Branch County Marriage License Search
Branch County marriage license applications are filed at the county clerk's office in Coldwater, the county seat in southern Michigan near the Indiana border. Both people planning to marry must appear together at the clerk's office, present valid photo ID with their current address and an official government-issued birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit before the clerk. After filing, Michigan law requires a three-day waiting period. The license is valid for 33 days once it is issued.
Branch County Overview
Branch County Clerk Office
The Branch County Clerk is at 31 Division Street in Coldwater. This office handles marriage license applications, maintains county marriage records, and can direct you to state resources for certified copies. The clerk serves both residents and non-residents who plan to hold their ceremony in Branch County.
| Office | Branch County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Branch County is in Michigan's southern tier and borders Indiana. Couples from Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and other nearby counties sometimes apply here if they are marrying in Branch County. Non-residents pay $30. Call the office before your visit to confirm hours and payment options. Some offices only accept certain forms of payment, and it's better to know in advance.
How to Apply in Branch County
Both applicants must appear in person at the clerk's office together. You cannot submit the application without the other person being present. Each of you signs the sworn affidavit before a clerk as required by MCL 551.102. After you pay the fee, the three-day waiting period begins.
The waiting period starts the day you apply. You can pick up the license on the fourth day or any time after. If the fourth day is a weekend or holiday, you wait until the following business day. Build your ceremony date around this so you don't accidentally schedule it before the license is ready.
Waivers of the three-day waiting period are possible with a judge's approval. There is usually an extra fee. Contact the clerk's office as early as possible if you think you need a waiver. They can tell you how to request one and what the current fee is in Branch County.
Michigan Courts outlines the legal requirements for marriage licenses and the statutes governing ceremonies across all 83 Michigan counties. See courts.michigan.gov for more on Michigan marriage law.
The Michigan Courts website also explains who is authorized to perform ceremonies and what witnesses are required.
Requirements and Documents
The Branch County Clerk needs the same documents that every Michigan county requires. Both applicants must bring a full set. Missing any item means the application cannot be processed that day.
- Valid government-issued photo ID with your current home address
- Official birth certificate from a government source (not a hospital-issued copy)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Certified divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse, if either person was previously married
- Full names and birthplaces of both applicants' parents
Both people must be at least 18 years old to apply freely. Those who are 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan under any circumstance. If ages are near the minimum, the clerk will check IDs carefully and may ask for additional proof.
The affidavit is a sworn legal document. Under MCL 551.108, giving false information on a marriage application is a criminal offense. Read every question carefully and answer honestly before you sign.
Fees and Waiting Period
Branch County residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. These are statewide rates set by Michigan law. Ask the clerk's office about accepted payment methods before you go, particularly if you are from another county or state and plan to pay by card.
The three-day waiting period is mandatory under MCL 551.103a. Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days. After those 33 days, the license is no good and you would need to apply again. Mark your calendar with both dates: the earliest pickup date and the expiration date. Don't let the license expire before the ceremony happens.
Note: If you want to waive the waiting period, contact the clerk before your visit so you know what paperwork the judge will need to review. It's a separate process and takes some extra time.
Certified Copies and Records
The officiant at your ceremony must return the completed marriage license to the Branch County Clerk within 10 days after the wedding. This is required by MCL 551.104. The county then sends the record to the MDHHS. From there, you can request certified copies.
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 is $34. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Rush processing adds $12. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. MDHHS is reachable at (517) 335-8666.
Request copies at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords or by mail to 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933.
Certified copies ordered through the MDHHS carry the state seal and are accepted by courts, banks, and employers.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Branch County follows Michigan's statewide marriage laws under Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. These statutes apply the same way in every county.
MCL 551.101 authorizes county clerks to issue licenses. MCL 551.102 requires the sworn affidavit. MCL 551.103 sets age requirements. MCL 551.103a establishes the waiting period and 33-day validity. MCL 551.104 requires officiants to return paperwork within 10 days of the ceremony.
In Michigan, authorized officiants include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers under MCL 551.7. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must be present. Both the officiant and the witnesses play a role in ensuring the ceremony and its documentation are legal.
After marriage, begin name change steps at the Social Security Administration (no fee), then the Secretary of State. After that, notify your bank, health insurance, and employer to complete the process.
Nearby Counties
Branch County is near Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, both of which have pages on this site. St. Joseph, Hillsdale, and Lenawee counties are also nearby but do not currently have dedicated pages here.