Search Charlevoix County Marriage License
Charlevoix County marriage license applications are submitted at the county clerk's office in Charlevoix, a city in northern Michigan on Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. Both applicants must appear in person together, present a valid government-issued photo ID with their current address, bring an official birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit before the clerk processes the application. Michigan's three-day waiting period then applies. The license is valid for 33 days from the date it is issued.
Charlevoix County Overview
Charlevoix County Clerk Office
The Charlevoix County Clerk is located at 203 Antrim Street in the city of Charlevoix. This is where you apply for your marriage license, return to pick it up, and can get local copies of marriage records. The office handles all marriage license applications for residents and non-residents who plan to marry in the county.
| Office | Charlevoix County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 203 Antrim Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Charlevoix County is a well-known wedding destination in northern Michigan because of its lakes and shoreline. Couples from other counties and states who plan to marry here can apply at the clerk's office and pay the $30 non-resident fee. Call ahead to check hours and payment options, particularly during busy summer months when the office may have additional traffic.
How to Apply in Charlevoix County
Both applicants go to the clerk's office together. Neither can send someone in their place or start the process remotely. Each person signs the sworn affidavit in front of the clerk, which is required by MCL 551.102. You pay the fee, the clerk processes the application, and the three-day waiting period begins that same day.
The waiting period starts the day you apply. The license is available on the fourth day or after. Weekends and holidays push the pickup date to the next business day. Plan your ceremony date to fall after you have the license in hand, not before.
In certain situations a judge can waive the waiting period. There is usually an extra fee. It's not automatically granted. If your ceremony is coming up quickly and you haven't applied yet, contact the clerk's office right away to find out what options you have in Charlevoix County.
Michigan Courts outlines the legal requirements for marriage licenses and the statutes governing ceremonies across all 83 Michigan counties. Visit courts.michigan.gov to review the rules for your ceremony.
Michigan Courts also provides details about officiant qualifications and what makes a ceremony legally valid under state law.
Requirements and Documents
The Charlevoix County Clerk requires the same documents every Michigan county demands. Both applicants must come prepared with all of the following items. Incomplete applications are not processed.
- Valid government-issued photo ID with your current home address
- Official birth certificate issued by a government office (not a hospital copy)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Certified divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse, if applicable
- Full names and birthplaces of both applicants' parents
Both people must be at least 18 to apply freely. Those who are 16 or 17 must have written parental or guardian consent. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan. Bring government-issued ID showing your date of birth, as the clerk will verify it.
The affidavit is sworn under penalty of law. MCL 551.108 makes it illegal to provide false information on a marriage license application. Fill out the form accurately before signing.
Fees and Waiting Period
Charlevoix County residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. These fees are statewide and set by Michigan law. Ask the office about payment methods, especially if you are traveling from outside the county and may not have local cash available.
The three-day waiting period is required by MCL 551.103a. The license is valid for 33 days from the date it is issued. If the ceremony doesn't happen within those 33 days, the license expires and you would need to reapply and pay again. Keep both dates in mind when planning your wedding timeline.
Note: If a waiting period waiver is needed, it requires a judge to approve it and comes with an additional cost. Contact the clerk well in advance if this applies to your situation.
Certified Copies and Records
After your ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Charlevoix County Clerk within 10 days. This is required by MCL 551.104. The county files the record and sends it to the MDHHS. Once filed at the state level, certified copies are available from the MDHHS.
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 per order. Standard processing takes four to five weeks.
Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords or call (517) 335-8666 to order certified copies of your Charlevoix County marriage record.
Certified copies from the MDHHS are valid for legal name changes, court proceedings, and other official uses nationwide.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Charlevoix County operates under the same state marriage laws as every other Michigan county, codified in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
MCL 551.101 authorizes county clerks to issue licenses. MCL 551.102 requires the sworn affidavit. Age requirements are in MCL 551.103. The waiting period and validity rules are in MCL 551.103a. MCL 551.104 sets the 10-day deadline for officiants to return the paperwork.
Authorized officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers under MCL 551.7. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must be present at the ceremony. These requirements cannot be skipped.
After marriage, begin name change steps at the Social Security Administration (free), then the Secretary of State for your driver's license, and finally your bank, insurance provider, and employer.
Nearby Counties
Charlevoix County is in northern Michigan. Antrim, Emmet, and Kalkaska counties are nearby but do not currently have pages on this site.