Marquette County Marriage License Search
Marquette County marriage licenses are issued through the Marquette County Clerk's office in the city of Marquette, the largest city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Whether you're a county resident or plan to hold your ceremony here, the county clerk at 234 W. Baraga Avenue is your starting point. This page covers everything you need to know: office hours, required documents, fees, the waiting period, ceremony rules, and how to get certified copies of Marquette County marriage records after the license is filed.
Marquette County Overview
Marquette County Clerk Office
The Marquette County Clerk's office is at 234 W. Baraga Avenue in Marquette. This is the office that issues marriage licenses, receives returned signed licenses after ceremonies, and files all official Marquette County marriage records. Walk-in applications are accepted on business days. No appointment is required. Come with your documents organized and the process will be fast.
After your ceremony, the filed marriage record stays with the clerk indefinitely. You can request a certified copy anytime with a valid photo ID. The clerk is your point of contact for both the license and any copies you need later. Keep this address on hand throughout the process.
| Office | Marquette County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 234 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 |
| Phone | (906) 225-8330 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.marquette.mi.us/departments/clerk |
Vital Records Online offers a convenient service for ordering certified copies of Michigan marriage records from state and county sources.
Vital Records Online provides an alternative channel for ordering certified Marquette County and other Michigan marriage records.
How to Apply in Marquette County
Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must reside in Marquette County to apply here. If neither person lives here but the ceremony will take place in Marquette County, you may still apply at this office. Only one person needs to appear in person. That person may bring documents for both. The absent applicant does not need to show up.
The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both parties must supply their Social Security numbers. You sign under oath. Providing false information is treated as perjury under Michigan law. Be accurate on every field. The clerk can help if you have questions about the form.
Both applicants 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 Marquette County
The Upper Peninsula has long drives between towns. Make sure you have every document before you head to 234 W. Baraga Avenue. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages must be fully documented as ended.
You need to bring:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Marquette 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. Non-residents pay $30. The $20 resident rate applies only if your address is in Marquette County. Your ID must confirm this.
Note: A hospital birth record is not accepted. You need a certified birth certificate from the state vital records office where you were born.
Fees and Waiting Period in Marquette County
Residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets these fees. Call the clerk's office ahead of your visit to confirm accepted payment types.
After the license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before the ceremony can take place. This is a statewide rule under Michigan law and cannot be shortened. The license stays valid for 33 days from the issue date. A ceremony after the 33-day window means the license has expired. You'd need a new application and a new fee. Plan your ceremony date to fall comfortably within the 33-day window.
Two witnesses who are at least 18 must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license. Line up your witnesses in advance and make sure they understand they need to sign the document before leaving.
Who Can Perform Marriages in Michigan
MCL 551.7 defines who may legally officiate a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all on the authorized list. You can choose a civil or religious ceremony based on your preference. Verify that your officiant is legally authorized before your ceremony date. This is not something to check after the fact.
Your officiant must return the signed license to the Marquette County Clerk within 10 days after the ceremony. MCL 551.104 requires this. The filing creates the official marriage record. A late or missing return can cause problems with your record and make it harder to get certified copies later. Talk to your officiant about this before the wedding.
Certified Copies of Marquette County Marriage Records
Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the official Marquette County marriage record. The Marquette County Clerk at 234 W. Baraga Avenue can issue certified copies. Bring valid photo ID and the applicable fee when you visit.
For state-level records or if you need copies years after the marriage, contact MDHHS. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services holds vital records for all 83 counties 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 an extra $12. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. Order through MDHHS Vital Records online or by mail. MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666.
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 orders for certified Marquette County marriage certificates alongside all other Michigan county records.
Name Change After Your Marquette County Marriage
Once your certified Marquette County marriage record is in hand, start the name change process at the Social Security Administration. Visit ssa.gov to find your nearest office. 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, head to a Michigan Secretary of State branch office to update your driver's license or state ID. Bring the updated SSA card and the certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. After your ID is updated, work through banks, your employer, and any other accounts that need updating. Keep at least one extra certified copy of your marriage certificate for institutions that require a certified version.
Nearby Counties
Marquette County is the largest county in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It borders Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Baraga, Iron, and Dickinson counties. None of those counties currently have dedicated pages on this site. Check the full counties list for updates.