Chippewa County Marriage License
Chippewa County marriage license applications are handled at the county clerk's office in Sault Ste. Marie, the county seat in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula along the St. Marys River at the Canadian border. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office, present valid photo ID with their current address, bring an official birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit. Michigan requires a three-day waiting period before the license is issued. The license is valid for 33 days from the application date.
Chippewa County Overview
Chippewa County Clerk Office
The Chippewa County Clerk is located at 319 Court Street in Sault Ste. Marie. This is where you apply for your marriage license, return after the waiting period to pick it up, and can request copies of local marriage records. The clerk also serves as the point of contact for state vital records requests.
| Office | Chippewa County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Chippewa County is Michigan's largest county by land area. It includes Sault Ste. Marie and a number of smaller communities spread across the eastern Upper Peninsula. Non-residents who plan to hold their ceremony in Chippewa County can apply here and pay the $30 non-resident fee. Contact the clerk before your visit to confirm hours, especially if you are traveling a long distance.
How to Apply in Chippewa County
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. You cannot file alone or send a representative. Each signs the sworn affidavit in front of the 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. The license is available starting on the fourth day. Weekends and holidays push the earliest pickup date to the next business day. If you apply on a Friday, you won't be able to pick up the license until at least the following Tuesday in most cases.
Waivers of the waiting period must be approved by a judge. There is usually a fee on top of the license cost. Not all requests are granted. Contact the clerk's office as far in advance as possible if a waiver might be necessary for your situation.
Michigan Courts outlines the legal requirements for marriage licenses and the statutes governing ceremonies across all 83 Michigan counties. Visit courts.michigan.gov for the official state marriage law overview.
The Michigan Courts website is helpful for understanding ceremony requirements, officiant rules, and witness obligations under state law.
Requirements and Documents
The Chippewa County Clerk requires the same documents as every Michigan county. Both applicants must bring a complete set. Missing any single item means the clerk cannot process the application.
- Valid government-issued photo ID showing your current home address
- Official birth certificate from a government source (not a hospital-issued birth 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 applicants must be 18 or older to apply on their own. Those who are 16 or 17 need written parental or guardian consent. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan. The clerk will review IDs and ask questions if ages are close to the minimum.
The affidavit is a sworn statement under penalty of law. MCL 551.108 makes false statements on a marriage license application a criminal offense. Complete the form with care and honesty.
Fees and Waiting Period
Chippewa County residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. Michigan law sets these fees for all counties. Payment methods can vary from office to office, so call ahead and ask whether they accept cash, check, or card.
The three-day waiting period is mandatory under MCL 551.103a. The license is valid for 33 days after it is issued. If the ceremony does not happen during that window, the license expires and you must start the process over. Write down the expiration date so it stays on your radar.
Note: The distance to other cities and services is greater in the Upper Peninsula than in more densely populated parts of the state. Plan ahead so a single missed document doesn't require a long drive back to Sault Ste. Marie.
Certified Copies and Records
After the ceremony, the officiant has 10 days to return the completed license to the Chippewa County Clerk. This is required by MCL 551.104. The county files the record and sends it to the MDHHS. Certified copies can be ordered 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 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. MDHHS can be reached at (517) 335-8666 or 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933.
Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords to request certified copies of your Chippewa County marriage record.
MDHHS certified copies are recognized by government agencies, courts, and financial institutions across the country.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Chippewa County follows the same marriage laws as every other Michigan county, which are found in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
MCL 551.101 authorizes county clerks to issue marriage licenses. MCL 551.102 requires the sworn affidavit. MCL 551.103 covers age requirements. MCL 551.103a establishes the waiting period and 33-day validity. MCL 551.104 requires officiants to return the completed license within 10 days.
Legal 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. Both requirements are mandatory and cannot be skipped.
After marriage, start your legal name change with the Social Security Administration (free). Then update your driver's license at the Secretary of State. After those two steps, notify your bank, insurance company, and employer.
Nearby Counties
Chippewa County is in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula. The neighboring counties of Mackinac, Luce, and Alger do not currently have pages on this site.