Search Mackinac County Marriage License Records

Mackinac County marriage licenses are issued by the Mackinac County Clerk in St. Ignace, the county seat located along the Straits of Mackinac at the tip of the Upper Peninsula. If you or your partner lives in Mackinac County, or if your ceremony will take place here, this is where you apply for your license. This page covers the clerk's office details, required documents, fees, the waiting period, and how to obtain certified copies of Mackinac County marriage records after the ceremony.

Mackinac County Clerk Office

The Mackinac County Clerk's office is at 100 S. Marley Street in St. Ignace. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses. Walk-in applications are accepted during regular business hours. You do not need an appointment. Arrive prepared with all your documents to avoid a return trip.

This office also handles the recording of the returned license after your ceremony. Once your officiant signs and returns the license, the clerk files it as the official Mackinac County marriage record. You'll need a certified copy of that record for name changes and legal matters. The clerk keeps it on file and can issue copies with proper identification.

Mackinac County has published an official Marriage Instructions and Affidavit document. You can review it at: mackinaccounty.net/wp-content/media/MARRIAGE-INSTRUCTIONS-AND-AFFIDAVIT.pdf. It outlines the exact steps and requirements specific to this county and is worth reading before your visit.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal handles certified marriage record requests for marriages across all 83 Michigan counties dating back to 1867.

MDHHS processes both mail and online requests for certified Mackinac County marriage certificates.

How to Apply in Mackinac County

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must reside in Mackinac County to apply here. If neither party lives here but the ceremony will take place in this county, you may still apply at this office. Only one person needs to go in person. That person can carry documents for both parties. The absent applicant does not need to appear.

The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both applicants must provide their Social Security numbers. You sign under oath. Giving false information is perjury under Michigan law. Every detail must be accurate. Ask the clerk if you're unsure about any part of the form.

Both parties must be 18 or older. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need written parental consent. No one under 16 may legally marry in Michigan.

Required Documents for Mackinac County

The drive to St. Ignace can be long depending on where you're coming from. Make sure you have everything before you go. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and residency. If either applicant was married before, you'll also need documentation that the prior marriage ended.

Bring all of these:

• Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Mackinac County address
• Government-issued birth certificate (not a hospital copy) or valid passport
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Full legal names and birth states of both parents for each applicant
• Divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married

If one person is applying for both, bring all items for each applicant. Out-of-county residents pay $30 rather than $20. Your address on file must be in Mackinac County to qualify for the resident rate.

Fees and Waiting Period in Mackinac County

Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. These are state-set fees. The clerk can tell you which payment methods are accepted when you call ahead.

After the license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can happen. This is a statewide requirement under Michigan law and cannot be waived. Once issued, the license stays valid for 33 days. If your ceremony date is outside that window, the license expires. You'd need a new application and a new fee. Pick a ceremony date that falls comfortably within the 33-day window to avoid any issues.

Two witnesses aged 18 or older must be present at the ceremony and must sign the license. Plan for this in advance.

Who Can Officiate in Michigan

MCL 551.7 lists the people authorized to perform marriages in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks may all officiate. You can choose a civil or religious ceremony. What matters is that your chosen officiant is legally authorized under this statute before the wedding day arrives.

Once the ceremony is done, your officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the Mackinac County Clerk. This deadline is set by MCL 551.104. It is the officiant's legal obligation. A late return can delay or complicate the official filing. Make sure your officiant understands this before the ceremony takes place.

Certified Copies of Mackinac County Marriage Records

After the signed license is returned and filed at the clerk's office, it becomes the official Mackinac County marriage record. The Mackinac County Clerk at 100 S. Marley Street can issue certified copies. Bring a valid ID and the applicable fee when you visit.

For statewide certified records or copies needed long after the marriage, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS holds vital records going back to 1867. The first certified copy is $34. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $16 each. Rush processing is available for $12 more. Standard processing runs four to five weeks. Order through MDHHS Vital Records online or by mail. The MDHHS office is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666.

Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized historical Michigan vital records, making it a useful tool for genealogy research involving Mackinac County marriage records.

Michiganology's free archive includes historical Michigan vital records, which may include older Mackinac County marriage filings useful for family history searches.

Name Change After Your Mackinac County Marriage

Once you have a certified copy of your Mackinac County marriage record, start with the Social Security Administration. Go to ssa.gov to find the nearest office or mail-in instructions. There is no fee. Bring your certified marriage certificate, a current photo ID, and proof of citizenship or immigration status.

After your SSA card is updated, visit a Michigan Secretary of State office to update your driver's license or state ID. Bring both the updated SSA card and the certified marriage certificate. Most branch offices accept walk-ins. After your ID is updated, work through banks, your employer, and other accounts. Keep at least one extra certified copy of your marriage record on hand throughout the process.

Nearby Counties

Mackinac County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Neighboring counties include Chippewa and Luce. Neither currently has a dedicated page on this site. Check the full counties list for updates.