Find Lapeer County Marriage License Info

Lapeer County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in the city of Lapeer, serving residents of this county northeast of metro Detroit and couples who plan to marry here. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office under Michigan state law.

Lapeer County Clerk's Office

The Lapeer County Clerk handles marriage license applications for the entire county. The office is in the city of Lapeer. Both partners must come together. Mail applications are not accepted, and no one may apply on your behalf.

Lapeer County sits between the Detroit metro area and the Thumb region. It borders Macomb, Oakland, Genesee, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties. If you live in one of those surrounding counties, confirm which clerk office is correct for you based on your address. Non-residents who will marry in Lapeer County can apply here. Call the office to verify current hours before visiting.

How to Apply

Both applicants visit the clerk's office at the same time. You fill out the application, present your documents, and pay. The clerk checks your materials. If everything is in order, you receive the license that day. Plan for about 20 to 30 minutes if your paperwork is complete.

After the license is issued, a 3-day waiting period begins. It starts the day you apply. Apply on a Thursday and you can hold the ceremony as early as Sunday. Weekends and holidays count toward those 3 days. Include this in your wedding timeline from the start.

The license is valid for 33 days. Use it before it expires. If it expires, you'll have to apply again and pay the fee a second time. Note: You can ask the Lapeer County Circuit Court to waive the 3-day wait if there is a compelling reason. A petition and fee are required, and the judge decides.

Documents Required

Each applicant must bring their own complete set of documents. Both people need to provide the following individually.

• Valid government-issued photo ID with your current address
• Government-issued birth certificate (certified copy from a vital records agency)
• Social Security number (bring the card if you have it)
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate for each prior marriage
• Full legal names of your parents and the state each parent was born in
• If 16 or 17: a parent or legal guardian must come in person and sign a consent document

If your photo ID doesn't show your current address, a utility bill, bank statement, or lease will work as additional proof. Michigan residents pay $20; non-residents pay $30. Confirm payment methods with the clerk's office before your visit.

Fees and the Waiting Period

Lapeer County charges $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents. This follows MCL 551.101. Payment is due when you apply and is not refundable under any circumstances.

The 3-day waiting period is a firm statewide rule. It cannot be skipped at the county clerk level. A waiver requires a circuit court petition and judicial approval. Most couples plan their ceremony date to be at least 3 days after they plan to apply, which is simpler than pursuing a court waiver. No additional county fees apply beyond the license fee.

Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Lapeer County Clerk within 10 days. MCL 551.104 requires this. The clerk enters the record into the county system and reports it to the state's vital records database in Lansing.

Certified copies from the state are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Contact them at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, or call (517) 335-8666. First copy: $34. Additional copies ordered at the same time: $16 each. Rush adds $12 and takes 2 to 3 weeks; standard is 4 to 5 weeks. Order online at michigan.gov/mdhhs through VitalChek, or visit by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Lansing.

Certified copies are also available directly from the Lapeer County Clerk. County-level copies can be faster and less expensive. Call the office for current pricing. Historical Michigan marriage records from 1867 onward are searchable for free at Michiganology.org.

Michigan Marriage License Statutes

MCL 551.101 is the primary statute governing marriage license requirements in Michigan: both parties must apply in person, a 3-day wait applies, and the license is valid for 33 days. MCL 551.102 addresses where to apply. Michigan residents apply in their home county; non-residents apply in the ceremony county.

Authorized officiants under MCL 551.7 include judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must attend the ceremony. The officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days per MCL 551.104.

Minimum age: 18 to marry without consent; 16 or 17 with parental consent; under 16 cannot marry in Michigan.

Name Change After Marriage

Your certified marriage license is the document that proves a name change. Start with the Social Security Administration (free). Then go to the Michigan Secretary of State to update your driver's license. After that, contact your bank, employer, insurance company, and any other institution. Most will need a certified copy as proof, so order several when you first request one.

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

Lapeer County is northeast of the Detroit metro area and borders several southeast and mid-Michigan counties. Each has its own county clerk for marriage license applications.