Cass County Marriage License
Cass County marriage license applications go through the county clerk's office in Cassopolis, the county seat in southwestern Michigan near the Indiana border. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time, show valid photo ID with their current address, present a government-issued birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit. Michigan requires a three-day waiting period before the license is ready. Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days.
Cass County Overview
Cass County Clerk Office
The Cass County Clerk is at 120 North Broadway in Cassopolis. This is where you submit your marriage license application, pick up the license after the waiting period ends, and can access marriage records on file. The office serves both county residents and non-residents marrying within Cass County.
| Office | Cass County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 N. Broadway, P.O. Box 355, Cassopolis, MI 49031 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Cass County is in the far southwestern corner of Michigan, close to Berrien County and Indiana. Couples from nearby Kalamazoo or Berrien counties who plan to marry in Cass County can apply here. Non-residents pay $30 instead of $20. Contact the clerk's office before your visit to confirm payment options and current office hours.
How to Apply in Cass County
Both people who plan to marry must go to the clerk's office at the same time. There is no option to submit the application remotely or through a representative. Each applicant signs the sworn affidavit in front of a clerk as required by MCL 551.102. After signing and paying the fee, the three-day waiting period starts.
The waiting period begins on the day you apply. The license becomes available on the fourth day. If day four is a weekend or holiday, you pick it up on the next business day. Schedule your ceremony after you are sure the license will be in hand.
Waivers of the three-day waiting period require approval from a judge and typically come with an added fee. It's not an automatic right. Contact the Cass County Clerk's office as early as possible if you believe you need a waiver, so there is enough time to go through the process before your ceremony date.
Michiganology.org provides free online access to historical Michigan vital records for genealogy and family history research. For older Cass County marriage records, visit michiganology.org/vital-records/.
Michiganology gives free access to digitized historical records, including older marriage filings from Cass County.
Requirements and Documents
The Cass County Clerk requires the same set of documents Michigan mandates for every county. Both applicants must bring their own complete set. If anything is missing, the application cannot move forward.
- Valid government-issued photo ID showing your current residential address
- Official birth certificate from a government source (not a hospital birth record)
- 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 applicants must be 18 years old or older to apply without parental involvement. Those who are 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. No one under 16 can marry in Michigan. The clerk will check IDs and ask for additional documentation if there is any question about an applicant's age.
The affidavit is a sworn legal statement. Giving false information is a criminal offense under MCL 551.108. Be accurate and thorough when filling out the form before you sign.
Fees and Waiting Period
Cass County residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. Michigan law sets these fees uniformly across all 83 counties. Ask what forms of payment the office accepts before you go. Some smaller county offices take only cash or check.
The three-day waiting period is set by MCL 551.103a and is not negotiable without a court order. Once the license is issued, it is valid for 33 days. If the ceremony doesn't happen within those 33 days, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay the fee again if that happens. Write down the expiration date when you pick up the license.
Note: A waiver of the waiting period costs extra and requires a judge's approval. Do not assume it will be fast or automatic. Contact the clerk well before your ceremony date if you think you might need one.
Certified Copies and Records
After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to return the completed marriage license to the Cass County Clerk. This is required by MCL 551.104. The county forwards the record to the MDHHS, where it becomes part of the permanent state archive. You can request certified copies from the state after the record is filed.
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 turnaround is four to five weeks. The MDHHS phone number is (517) 335-8666.
Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords to order your certified copies online.
State-certified copies carry the official state seal and are recognized for legal name changes and official government purposes.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Cass County follows the same marriage laws as every county in Michigan. Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws governs all aspects of the marriage license process.
MCL 551.101 gives county clerks authority to issue licenses. The sworn affidavit is required by MCL 551.102. Age requirements are in MCL 551.103. Waiting period and validity rules are in MCL 551.103a. The post-ceremony filing deadline is set by MCL 551.104.
Authorized officiants in Michigan under MCL 551.7 include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Two witnesses who are at least 18 must attend the ceremony. Both are required by law and cannot be waived.
For name changes after the wedding, start with the SSA (free), then update your driver's license at the Secretary of State, then notify your bank, employer, and insurance providers.
Nearby Counties
Cass County is near Berrien and Kalamazoo counties, both of which have pages on this site. St. Joseph and Van Buren counties are also adjacent but do not have pages here currently.