Get a Marriage License in Clinton County
Clinton County marriage license applications are processed at the county clerk's office in St. Johns, the county seat in mid-Michigan just north of Lansing and Ingham County. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office, bring valid photo ID with their current address and an official government-issued birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit before the clerk. Michigan requires a three-day waiting period after you file. The license is valid for 33 days from the date of issue.
Clinton County Overview
Clinton County Clerk Office
The Clinton County Clerk is at 100 East State Street in St. Johns. The office handles all marriage license applications, keeps local records, and can assist with questions about fees, document requirements, and waiting period waivers. Clinton County is centrally located, making it accessible to couples from Ingham County and other surrounding areas.
| Office | Clinton County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 E. State Street, P.O. Box 69, St. Johns, MI 48879 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Clinton County is adjacent to Ingham County, home to Lansing. Couples from the Lansing area who live in Clinton County apply here. Non-residents planning to marry in Clinton County pay $30. Call the clerk's office before your visit to check hours, confirm required documents, and find out what forms of payment the office accepts.
How to Apply in Clinton County
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. You cannot apply on behalf of the other person or mail in any part of the application. Each signs the sworn affidavit before the clerk, as required by MCL 551.102. After paying the fee, the three-day waiting period begins.
The waiting period starts the day you apply. The license is available starting on day four. If day four is a weekend or holiday, the next business day is when you can pick it up. Don't schedule your ceremony for day three or day four without checking that the clerk's office will be open and the license will be ready.
A judge can waive the waiting period under certain circumstances. There is typically an extra fee, and approval is not guaranteed. If you need the license quickly, contact the clerk's office immediately to learn the waiver process and current cost in Clinton County.
Michigan Courts outlines the legal requirements for marriage licenses and the statutes governing ceremonies across all 83 Michigan counties. Visit courts.michigan.gov for state marriage law details.
The Michigan Courts site explains ceremony requirements and who may legally officiate in the state.
Requirements and Documents
The Clinton County Clerk requires both applicants to bring the full set of documents. There are no shortcuts or substitutions. Check this list carefully before your visit so you don't need to make a second trip.
- 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 former spouse, if previously married
- Full names and birthplaces of both applicants' parents
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental involvement. Those who are 16 or 17 need written parental or guardian consent. No one under 16 can marry in Michigan. The clerk will verify ages from the IDs provided and may ask for additional documentation if needed.
The affidavit is a sworn legal statement. MCL 551.108 makes false information on a marriage license application a criminal offense. Fill out the form completely and accurately before signing.
Fees and Waiting Period
Residents of Clinton County pay $20 for a marriage license. Non-residents pay $30. Michigan sets these fees statewide. Confirm with the clerk's office whether they accept cash, check, or credit card before you drive to St. Johns.
The three-day waiting period is required by MCL 551.103a. It cannot be skipped without a judge's order. Once the license is issued, it is valid for 33 days. If the ceremony doesn't happen within that window, the license expires and you must start over. Note the expiration date when you pick up the license so you stay on track.
Note: Waivers of the waiting period require a judge's approval and come with an additional cost. The process takes time, so request one as early as possible if you think you'll need it.
Certified Copies and Records
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Clinton County Clerk within 10 days. This deadline is set by MCL 551.104. Once the county files the record and forwards it to the MDHHS, certified copies become available from the state.
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 costs $34. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Rush processing adds $12. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone: (517) 335-8666.
Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords to order certified copies online or by mail.
MDHHS certified copies are accepted for name changes, legal proceedings, insurance updates, and other official uses.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Clinton County follows the same statewide marriage laws as every other Michigan county, found in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
MCL 551.101 gives county clerks authority to issue licenses. MCL 551.102 requires the sworn affidavit. MCL 551.103 sets 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 of the ceremony.
Authorized officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers under MCL 551.7. Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must be present at the ceremony. Both requirements are mandatory.
After marriage, update your name at the Social Security Administration first (no cost), then the Secretary of State, then your bank, employer, and insurance providers.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County is adjacent to Ingham County to the south. Eaton, Ionia, Gratiot, and Shiawassee counties are also nearby but do not currently have pages on this site.