Search Gogebic County Marriage License

Gogebic County issues marriage licenses through the County Clerk in Bessemer, serving residents and couples who plan to marry in this western Upper Peninsula county. All applications follow Michigan state law and are handled in person.

Gogebic County Clerk's Office

The Gogebic County Clerk in Bessemer processes all marriage license applications. Both applicants must appear together. There is no way to apply by mail or through a representative. Come prepared with all required documents to avoid a second trip.

Gogebic County borders Wisconsin. Couples from across the state line who plan to marry in Gogebic County can apply here as non-residents. Call the office to confirm current hours, especially if you are traveling from a distance.

Steps to Apply

Both people must go to the clerk's office together. You fill out the application there, hand over your documents, and pay. If everything is in order, the clerk issues the license the same day. Most appointments take 20 to 30 minutes.

There is a required 3-day waiting period that begins on your application date. If you apply on a Thursday, the first day you can marry is Sunday. Both weekends and holidays are included in the count. Plan your ceremony date with at least 3 clear days after your application.

The license remains valid for 33 days. If you don't hold your ceremony within that window, the license expires. You would need to reapply and pay the fee again. Note: You can petition the Gogebic County Circuit Court to waive the waiting period, but this is rare and requires extra fees and judicial approval.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring the same documents. This list applies to each person, not the couple as a whole.

• Government-issued photo ID with current address (driver's license or state ID)
• Certified birth certificate from a government vital records office
• Social Security number (bring the card if you have it)
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
• Full legal names of both parents and the state where each was born
• If 16 or 17 years old: parent or legal guardian must appear and give written consent

If your ID doesn't show your current address, a recent utility bill or bank statement will work as a supplement. Non-residents pay $30; Michigan residents pay $20. Confirm accepted payment methods with the clerk before you go.

Fees and the 3-Day Wait

Gogebic County charges $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents, in line with MCL 551.101. The fee is paid when you apply and is not refundable for any reason, including if you choose not to marry after receiving the license.

The 3-day waiting period is a firm state requirement. If you need to waive it, you must file a request with the circuit court. Judges have discretion, and there is a separate fee for that process. It is simpler to plan around the 3 days than to seek a waiver. There are no other county fees on top of the license cost.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Gogebic County Clerk within 10 days, as required by MCL 551.104. The clerk records the marriage. After that, the record is accessible both locally and through the state vital records system.

For a state-certified copy, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone: (517) 335-8666. The first certified copy is $34. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Rush service costs $12 extra and takes 2 to 3 weeks. Standard processing takes 4 to 5 weeks. You can order through the MDHHS VitalChek portal, or visit in person by appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Lansing.

You can also request copies from the Gogebic County Clerk, which can be faster and cheaper for local records. The MDHHS holds marriage records going back to 1867. For older or historical records, Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized Michigan vital records.

Michigan Marriage License Statutes

Michigan state law controls all marriage license requirements. MCL 551.101 sets out the basic rules: both parties apply in person, there's a 3-day wait, and the license is valid for 33 days. MCL 551.102 covers where you apply based on where you live.

Officiants who may legally perform marriages in Michigan under MCL 551.7 include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. You need two witnesses age 18 or older at the ceremony. The officiant must sign and return the license to the county clerk within 10 days after the ceremony under MCL 551.104.

Age to marry without consent: 18. With parental consent: 16 or 17. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan.

Name Change Steps

A certified copy of your marriage record is your legal proof of name change. Go to the Social Security Administration first (free), then the Michigan Secretary of State for your driver's license. After that, update your name with your bank, employer, insurance company, passport office, and any other records. Keep several certified copies; most agencies want to see one before processing your update.

State Records Resources

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division for Vital Records maintains state marriage records since 1867 and processes certified copy requests.

The Michigan Courts website explains marriage license laws and the MCL statutes that govern the application process across all Michigan counties.

Nearby Counties

Gogebic County is in the far western Upper Peninsula. Its neighbors are also U.P. counties and follow the same Michigan marriage license process.