Lenawee County Marriage License
Lenawee County marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk in Tecumseh, the county seat. If you or your partner lives in Lenawee County, this is where you apply under Michigan law. This page covers the clerk's address and hours, what documents to bring, the fees you'll pay, how long you wait before the ceremony, and how to get certified copies of Lenawee County marriage records once your license is filed. Everything here follows standard Michigan statute, so read through it before you head to the clerk's window.
Lenawee County Overview
Lenawee County Clerk Office
The Lenawee County Clerk is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. It sits at 301 N. Main Street in Tecumseh. Staff handle applications on a walk-in basis during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. You do not need an appointment. Bring everything listed in the documents section below so you don't have to make a second trip.
This same office records the signed license once your officiant returns it after the ceremony. That filed document becomes the official Lenawee County marriage record. You'll need a certified copy of that record for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes later. The clerk keeps the record and can issue certified copies on request.
| Office | Lenawee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N. Main Street, Tecumseh, MI 49286 |
| Phone | (517) 264-4599 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | lenawee.mi.us/162/Clerk |
The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal handles certified marriage record requests for marriages across all 83 Michigan counties dating back to 1867.
MDHHS processes mail and online requests for certified marriage certificates from Lenawee County and all other Michigan counties.
How to Apply in Lenawee County
Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Lenawee County resident to apply here. Non-residents who plan to wed in Lenawee County may also apply at this office. Only one person needs to visit in person. That person can bring documents for both parties. The absent applicant does not need to come along.
The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. False information on the application is treated as perjury. Take care to fill in every detail correctly. The clerk can help if you have questions about specific fields on the form.
Both parties must be at least 18. If an applicant is 16 or 17, written parental consent is required. No one under 16 may legally marry in Michigan.
Note: One person may bring documents for both applicants. Both parties do not need to appear at the Lenawee County Clerk's office at the same time.
Required Documents for Lenawee County
Pull your documents together before you drive to Tecumseh. Missing one item means a second trip. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. If either applicant was previously married, you'll also need proof the prior marriage ended legally.
Bring all of the following:
- Valid Michigan driver's license or state ID showing a Lenawee County address
- Government-issued birth certificate (not a hospital-issued copy) or a valid passport
- Social Security numbers for both parties
- Full legal names and birth states for both parents of each applicant
- Divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
If you're picking up the license for both parties, bring all documents for each person. Out-of-county residents pay $30 instead of $20. Your ID address must match a Lenawee County location to qualify for the resident rate.
Note: The birth certificate must be a government-issued document. Hospital birth records issued at the time of birth are not accepted.
Fees and Waiting Period in Lenawee County
The fee is $20 for Michigan residents. Non-residents pay $30. These rates are set by state law and apply across Michigan. Call the clerk's office to confirm current accepted payment methods before you go.
After the clerk issues your license, Michigan law requires a three-day waiting period before the ceremony can take place. This rule applies statewide and is not something the clerk can waive. Your license stays valid for 33 days from the date of issue. If your ceremony date falls outside that window, the license expires. You'd need to apply and pay again. Plan your wedding date carefully so it falls within the 33-day window.
Two witnesses who are at least 18 years old must be present at your ceremony. They sign the marriage license as part of the official record. Make sure your witnesses are prepared to sign before the ceremony ends.
Who Can Perform Ceremonies in Michigan
MCL 551.7 covers who may legally perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all authorized. You have broad options. A civil ceremony with a judge or magistrate works just as well as a religious ceremony. What matters is that your officiant is legally authorized under Michigan law before the ceremony takes place.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Lenawee County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is the officiant's legal obligation. A late or missing return can cause problems when you try to get a certified copy later. Confirm this responsibility with your officiant well before your wedding day.
Certified Copies of Lenawee County Marriage Records
Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the official Lenawee County marriage record. You can request a certified copy from the Lenawee County Clerk directly. Bring a valid ID and the applicable fee when you visit the office at 301 N. Main Street.
For state-level records or if you need copies years after the marriage, contact MDHHS. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains vital records going back to 1867. The first certified copy costs $34. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Rush processing is available for an extra $12. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. Order online or by mail through MDHHS Vital Records.
Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized historical Michigan vital records, making it a useful tool for genealogy research involving Lenawee County marriage records.
Michiganology's free archive covers historical Michigan marriage filings and can help researchers find older Lenawee County records.
Name Change After Your Lenawee County Marriage
Once you have a certified copy of your Lenawee County marriage record, start the name change process at the Social Security Administration. Visit ssa.gov to update your Social Security card. There's no fee. Bring your certified marriage certificate, a current photo ID, and proof of citizenship or immigration status.
After your Social Security card is updated, visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch to update your driver's license or state ID. Bring your updated Social Security card and your certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. Once your state ID is updated, work through banks, your employer, and other accounts. Keep at least one extra certified copy of your marriage certificate on hand since some agencies ask to see a certified version.
Nearby Counties
Lenawee County borders several counties in southeast Michigan. If you live near a county line, confirm your address is in Lenawee County before applying here.