Marriage License in Crawford County
Crawford County marriage license applications are filed at the county clerk's office in Grayling, the county seat located in northern Michigan along the Au Sable River. Both people who plan to marry must appear at the clerk's office together, present valid government-issued photo ID showing their current address and an official birth certificate, and sign a sworn affidavit. Michigan law requires a three-day waiting period after the application is submitted before the license can be issued. The license remains valid for 33 days.
Crawford County Overview
Crawford County Clerk Office
The Crawford County Clerk is at 200 West Michigan Avenue in Grayling. The office handles all marriage license applications, maintains county records, and can direct you to state resources for certified copies after the ceremony. The office is open on weekdays during standard business hours, but it's a good idea to call before your visit to confirm.
| Office | Crawford County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 W. Michigan Avenue, Grayling, MI 49738 |
| Phone | Contact the county clerk directly for current phone and hours |
| Hours | Contact office for current business hours |
| Website | Michigan MDHHS Vital Records |
Crawford County is a popular area for outdoor activities and summer gatherings. Non-residents who plan to marry in the county can apply at the Grayling clerk's office and pay $30 rather than the $20 resident fee. If you are coming from outside the area, call ahead to confirm what documents to bring and what payment methods are accepted before making the drive.
How to Apply in Crawford County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office at the same time. You cannot start the process for the other person or mail in the application. Each signs the sworn affidavit in front of the clerk, which is required by MCL 551.102. After paying the fee, the three-day waiting period begins.
The waiting period starts on the day you apply. You can pick up the license on the fourth day. If the fourth day falls on a weekend or holiday, the next open business day is when you can get the license. Build your ceremony date with this in mind so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
Waivers of the waiting period can be approved by a judge. There is usually an extra fee. Not all requests are approved. Contact the clerk's office as early as you can if you believe a waiver might be necessary for your situation.
Michiganology.org provides free online access to historical Michigan vital records for genealogy and family history research. Search older Crawford County marriage records at michiganology.org/vital-records/.
Michiganology is a free tool for searching digitized historical vital records including older Crawford County marriage filings.
Requirements and Documents
Both applicants must bring the same set of documents to the Crawford County Clerk. The office cannot process an incomplete application, so check this list before you leave home.
- Valid government-issued photo ID with your current home address
- Official birth certificate from a government source (not a hospital copy)
- 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 people must be at least 18 to apply on their own. Those who are 16 or 17 need written parental or guardian consent. No one under 16 can marry in Michigan. IDs will be checked for every applicant, and the clerk may ask follow-up questions if ages are close to the minimum.
The affidavit is a sworn document. MCL 551.108 makes it illegal to give false information on a marriage license application. Read the form carefully and answer each question honestly before signing.
Fees and Waiting Period
Crawford County residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. These fees are set by Michigan law and apply the same way in every county. Ask what forms of payment the office accepts before you visit, since some smaller county offices only take cash or check.
The three-day waiting period is required by MCL 551.103a. There is no way around it without a judge's order. Once the license is issued, it is valid for 33 days. After that, it expires. Write down both the earliest pickup date and the expiration date when you apply. Don't let the window slip by without holding the ceremony.
Note: Waiting period waivers require court approval and an added fee. They take extra time to arrange. Contact the clerk well before your planned ceremony date if you think you'll need one.
Certified Copies and Records
After your ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Crawford County Clerk within 10 days. This is required by MCL 551.104. The county files the record and sends it to the MDHHS. After that, certified copies can be ordered 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 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. MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone: (517) 335-8666.
Request copies at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.
State-certified copies carry the official MDHHS seal and are accepted for legal name changes, government IDs, and other formal purposes.
Michigan Marriage Laws
Crawford County follows the same marriage laws as every county in Michigan. These laws are in Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws and apply statewide.
MCL 551.101 gives county clerks the authority to issue licenses. MCL 551.102 requires the sworn affidavit. MCL 551.103 sets age requirements. MCL 551.103a establishes the three-day waiting period and the 33-day validity window. MCL 551.104 sets the 10-day return deadline for officiants after the ceremony.
Authorized officiants in Michigan under MCL 551.7 include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must be present at the ceremony. Both requirements are mandatory under state law and cannot be waived.
After marriage, start your legal name change at the Social Security Administration (no cost). Then update your driver's license at the Secretary of State. After those two steps, notify your financial accounts, health insurance, and employer.
Nearby Counties
Crawford County is in northern Michigan. The surrounding counties of Roscommon, Ogemaw, Otsego, Kalkaska, and Missaukee do not currently have pages on this site.