Find Cheboygan County Marriage License
Cheboygan County marriage license applications are processed at the county clerk's office on South Main Street in the city of Cheboygan, the county seat in northern Michigan near the Straits of Mackinac. Both applicants must appear together, present valid photo ID with current address and an official government birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit. After filing, a three-day waiting period is required under Michigan law before the license is issued. The license stays valid for 33 days.
Cheboygan County Overview
Cheboygan County Clerk Office
The Cheboygan County Clerk is at 870 South Main Street in Cheboygan. The office handles all marriage license applications for the county. You apply here, return here to pick up the license after the waiting period, and can request copies of marriage records from this office or through the state.
| Office | Cheboygan County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 870 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 70, Cheboygan, MI 49721 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | cheboygancounty.net |
The Cheboygan County website at cheboygancounty.net provides additional information about the clerk's office and may have downloadable forms or fee schedules. Check there before your visit to confirm any local procedures. Non-residents who plan to marry in Cheboygan County pay $30 instead of $20. Call ahead to confirm hours and payment options.
How to Apply in Cheboygan County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office at the same time. The application cannot be started by just one person. Each applicant signs the sworn affidavit in front of the clerk, as required by MCL 551.102. You pay the fee after the clerk reviews your documents. The three-day waiting period begins that day.
The earliest you can pick up the license is three full days after applying. If day three falls on a weekend or holiday, the pickup date moves to the next business day. Don't schedule the ceremony right at the edge of the waiting period unless you have confirmed the clerk will be open and the license will be ready.
Waiting period waivers are possible but require a judge's approval. There is typically an extra fee. The process takes some time, so contact the clerk's office well before your ceremony if you think you will need a waiver. They can tell you exactly how it works in Cheboygan County.
Michiganology.org provides free online access to historical Michigan vital records for genealogy and family history research. You can search older Cheboygan County marriage records at michiganology.org/vital-records/.
Michiganology includes digitized records going back many decades and is available free of charge.
Requirements and Documents
Both applicants must bring the same set of documents to the Cheboygan County Clerk. No exceptions are made for missing items. Review this list and gather everything before your visit.
- Valid government-issued photo ID showing your current home address
- Official birth certificate from a government source (not a hospital-issued record)
- Social Security number for each applicant
- Certified divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse, if either applicant was previously married
- Full names and birthplaces of both applicants' parents
Both people must be at least 18 to apply without parental consent. Those who are 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Michigan law does not allow anyone under 16 to marry. The clerk will verify ages from the IDs presented.
The affidavit is a sworn legal document. Providing false information on a marriage license application violates MCL 551.108 and can result in criminal charges. Fill out the form truthfully and completely before signing.
Fees and Waiting Period
Cheboygan County residents pay $20 for a marriage license. Non-residents pay $30. Both amounts are set by Michigan state law. Ask the office what payment methods they accept before your visit to avoid any issues at the counter.
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 33-day window passes without a ceremony, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. Note your expiration date when you pick up the license so you don't forget.
Note: Waivers of the waiting period require a court order and an additional fee. They are not guaranteed. If you need a waiver, start the process as early as possible with the clerk's office.
Certified Copies and Records
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Cheboygan County Clerk within 10 days. This requirement is in MCL 551.104. Once filed by the county and forwarded to the state, you can order certified copies 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 costs an extra $12. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. The MDHHS is located at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, and can be reached at (517) 335-8666.
Order copies online at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.
MDHHS certified copies are accepted for legal name changes and government identification purposes across the United States.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Cheboygan County follows the same state marriage laws as all 83 Michigan counties. These laws are in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws and cover everything from application to post-ceremony filing.
MCL 551.101 gives county clerks authority to issue licenses. MCL 551.102 requires the sworn affidavit. MCL 551.103 covers age rules. MCL 551.103a sets the waiting period and 33-day validity. MCL 551.104 requires the return of the completed license within 10 days of the ceremony.
Authorized officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers under MCL 551.7. Two adult witnesses, each at least 18 years old, must attend the ceremony. Both requirements are mandatory under state law.
After marriage, name change steps begin at the Social Security Administration (free), then the Secretary of State, then your financial accounts and employer.
Nearby Counties
Cheboygan County is in northern Michigan. The neighboring counties of Emmet, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Mackinac do not currently have pages on this site.