Leelanau County Marriage License

Leelanau County marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk in Suttons Bay, serving residents of the county and the many couples who choose this scenic northern Michigan peninsula for their wedding. Both applicants must appear together in person under Michigan state law.

Leelanau County Clerk's Office

The Leelanau County Clerk's office is in Suttons Bay, which is a short drive south of Leland, the official county seat. Both applicants must appear together to apply for the marriage license. Mail applications and applications through a third party are not accepted.

Leelanau County is a popular destination for weddings, particularly in summer and fall. Couples from out of county or out of state frequently apply here because they plan to hold their ceremony in the area. If neither partner is a Michigan resident, the non-resident fee of $30 applies. Call the office to confirm hours and payment options well before your visit.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Both applicants go to the clerk's office together. You fill out the application, show your documents, and pay the fee. The clerk reviews everything. If all is in order, you get the license that day. The typical visit takes 20 to 30 minutes when you arrive with complete paperwork.

Michigan requires a 3-day waiting period starting on the day you apply. Apply on a Saturday and the earliest your ceremony can take place is Tuesday. Weekends and public holidays count toward those 3 days. This is especially important in Leelanau County, where summer weekends fill up fast; build the 3-day rule into your planning well in advance.

The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. If you don't hold the ceremony in that window, the license expires and you need to start over. Note: The 3-day waiting period can be waived by a circuit court judge under certain circumstances. You'd need to petition the Leelanau County Circuit Court and pay a court fee. Approval is not guaranteed.

Required Documents

Both applicants must bring a complete set of the following. Neither person's documents cover the other's requirement.

• Valid government-issued photo ID showing your current address
• Government-issued birth certificate (certified copy from a state vital records office)
• Social Security number (bring your card if available)
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate for each previous marriage
• Full legal names of your parents and the state where each parent was born
• If 16 or 17: a parent or legal guardian must appear in person and sign a written consent form

If your ID doesn't display your current address, bring a utility bill, bank statement, or lease. Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. Call the clerk to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit, as some smaller offices may not accept credit cards.

Fees and the 3-Day Waiting Period

The fee is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents, set under MCL 551.101. You pay when you apply. There are no refunds for any reason, including if you cancel the wedding.

Michigan's mandatory 3-day waiting period cannot be bypassed at the county clerk level. Waiving it requires a petition to the circuit court, a separate court fee, and a judge's approval. This is not a common route, and many circuit courts are not eager to grant waivers without good cause. Most couples who know about the wait simply include those 3 days in their planning from the beginning. No additional county fees apply.

Certified Copies of Your Marriage Record

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Leelanau County Clerk within 10 days. This is required by MCL 551.104. The clerk registers the record locally and reports it to the state's vital records database.

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

Certified copies are also available from the Leelanau County Clerk. Local copies may be processed faster. Call the office for current fees. Michigan has held statewide marriage records since 1867, and Michiganology.org offers free access to historical vital records for research purposes.

Michigan Marriage License Statutes

Marriage in Michigan is regulated by state law. MCL 551.101 requires both parties to apply in person, mandates the 3-day wait, and limits the license to 33 days of validity. MCL 551.102 says Michigan residents apply in their home county, while non-residents apply in the county where the ceremony will take place.

Under MCL 551.7, the following people can legally perform marriages in Michigan: judges, magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ordained ministers. At least two witnesses who are 18 or older must attend. The officiant signs the license and must return it to the county clerk within 10 days per MCL 551.104.

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

Name Change After Marriage

Start the name change process at the Social Security Administration; there's no fee. Then go to the Michigan Secretary of State to update your driver's license. After that, notify your bank, employer, insurance company, passport office, and any other institution. Most will need to see a certified copy of the marriage record. Order a few when you first request them so you have extras on hand.

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.

Michiganology.org offers free online access to historical Michigan vital records, including marriage records, for genealogy and family history research.

Nearby Counties

Leelanau County is a peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan northwest of Traverse City. These neighboring counties are close and also issue marriage licenses through their county clerks.