Calhoun County Marriage License

Calhoun County marriage licenses are issued by the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds at 315 W Green Street in Marshall. Since August 2021, Calhoun County has offered an online application option. Couples can complete the form at home before picking up the license in person. This page covers the full process: online and in-person application steps, document requirements, fees, waiting period, and how to find Calhoun County marriage records.

Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds

The Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds is located at 315 W Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The main phone number is 269-781-0718. You can also reach the office by email at clerk-rod@calhouncountymi.gov. The official county website is at calhouncountymi.gov.

Note the abbreviated Friday hours. If you plan to pick up your license on a Friday, arrive before noon. The office also handles Register of Deeds functions, so it serves a broad range of county document needs beyond marriage licenses alone.

The screenshot below shows the main Calhoun County government website at calhouncountymi.gov, where you can navigate to the Clerk section for marriage license information and links to the online application.

From the main site, look for the Clerk and Register of Deeds section to find the marriage license application, online portal link, and office contact details.

Online and In-Person Application Options

Calhoun County introduced an online marriage license application in August 2021. This means you can fill out the application from home before making the trip to the clerk's office in Marshall. The online application does not replace the in-person visit. You still need to come in to confirm your information, present your documents, and pick up the physical license. But it does save time at the counter and reduces the chance of errors on the form.

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Calhoun County resident to apply here. If you live elsewhere in Michigan, you apply in your home county. Out-of-state couples who plan to marry in Calhoun County apply here regardless of where they live.

The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. Under MCL 551.108, false statements on the form are treated as perjury. Social Security numbers are not printed on the issued license and are not part of the public record.

Documents Required for a Calhoun County Marriage License

When you come in to pick up your license, bring a certified birth certificate. The clerk's office specifically requires a certified birth certificate at the time of pickup, not just at the time of application. This is important if you completed the online application first. Don't assume the online form is all you need.

Here is what to bring when you visit the Calhoun County Clerk:

• Certified birth certificate (for each applicant)
• Valid driver's license or state ID showing current address
• Social Security number for both applicants
• Final Judgment of Divorce if either party was previously married

Both applicants must be at least 18. If either person is 16 or 17, parental consent is required. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan. The standard $20 resident fee applies for Michigan residents. Out-of-state applicants pay $30.

Calhoun County Marriage License Fees and Validity

The marriage license fee in Calhoun County is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents. These fees are set at the state level and apply uniformly across Michigan counties. No local fee is added on top of the state amount.

Once the clerk issues the license, a three-day waiting period begins. This is required by MCL 551.103a. You cannot hold your ceremony until three full days after the issue date. The license stays valid for 33 days from that date. After 33 days it expires. If your wedding is pushed back beyond the validity window, you'll need to apply again.

Plan your application date carefully. Apply too far in advance and the license may expire before the ceremony. Apply too late and the three-day wait could push back your ceremony date. Most couples aim to apply about one to two weeks before the wedding date to stay in a comfortable range.

Who Can Perform a Calhoun County Marriage Ceremony

Michigan law under MCL 551.7 lists who is authorized to perform a legal marriage ceremony. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all on that list. Calhoun County does not run its own civil ceremony program, so if you want a civil ceremony, contact a local district or probate court to ask about scheduling.

Whoever officiates your ceremony must sign the license immediately after. The signed license must then be returned to the Calhoun County Clerk within 10 days, as required by MCL 551.104. That is not a suggestion. If the signed license is not returned, the marriage will not be properly recorded, and the clerk cannot issue a certified copy. Make sure your officiant is aware of the deadline before the ceremony.

For a list of district courts and authorized officials in the Calhoun County area, check the Michigan Courts website.

Calhoun County Marriage Records Search

The Calhoun County records search portal is available at calhounclerk.com/records-search/. This tool lets you look up recorded Calhoun County documents by name and date range. You can search for marriage records, real property records, and other county filings without visiting the clerk's office in person.

The screenshot below shows the Calhoun County records search portal, which is the primary online tool for looking up marriage records and other documents filed with the Calhoun County Clerk.

The records search portal at calhounclerk.com is searchable by name, date, and document type, and covers both recent and older Calhoun County records.

For certified copies of marriage certificates, contact the Calhoun County Clerk directly at 269-781-0718 or by email. For statewide records going back to 1867, use the MDHHS Vital Records office. A certified copy from the state costs $34 for the first and $16 for each additional one. Rush service adds $12. Phone orders go through (517) 335-8666. For historical genealogy research, Michiganology has a free searchable archive of older Michigan vital records that includes Calhoun County marriages. Vital Records Online Michigan is another searchable option.

Name Change After a Calhoun County Wedding

After your signed license is on file with the Calhoun County Clerk, you can begin your legal name change. Start with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov. Updating a Social Security card is free. Bring your certified marriage certificate, current photo ID, and proof of citizenship or immigration status. Once the SSA card is updated, visit the Michigan Secretary of State to get a new driver's license or state ID. You'll need the updated SSA card and your certified marriage certificate. Be consistent about using your new name on all documents from the start.

The Michigan Secretary of State has branch offices throughout Calhoun County and nearby areas. You can schedule an appointment online through the SOS website to avoid waiting in line.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County includes several communities, but none currently qualify for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Calhoun County is surrounded by several Michigan counties. If you live near a border, check your address to confirm which county to apply in.