Search Midland County Marriage License Records

Midland County marriage licenses are issued by the Midland County Clerk in the city of Midland, the county seat located in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region. If you or your partner lives in Midland County, the county clerk at 220 W. Ellsworth Street is your starting point for applying. This page covers everything you need: clerk contact details, required documents, fees, the waiting period, ceremony rules, and how to get certified copies of Midland County marriage records after your license is filed.

Midland County Clerk Office

The Midland County Clerk's office is at 220 W. Ellsworth Street in Midland. This is where all marriage license applications are processed and where the signed license is filed after your ceremony. Walk-in applications are accepted on business days. No appointment is needed. Bring your complete set of documents on the first visit to keep things moving.

Once your ceremony is done and the officiant returns the signed license, the clerk files it as the official Midland County marriage record. That record serves as permanent legal proof of your marriage. The clerk can issue certified copies on request with valid ID and the applicable fee.

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 Midland County marriage certificates alongside records from all Michigan counties.

How to Apply in Midland County

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Midland County resident to apply here. Non-residents who will hold their ceremony in Midland County may also apply here. Only one person needs to visit in person. That person can bring documents for both. The other applicant does not need to be present.

The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. The form is signed under oath. False information is perjury under Michigan law. Fill in all fields accurately. The clerk is available to answer questions about the form.

Both applicants must be at least 18. Those aged 16 or 17 need written parental consent. No one under 16 may legally marry in Michigan.

Required Documents for Midland County

Gather your documents before heading to 220 W. Ellsworth Street. Missing anything means a second trip. The clerk needs to verify your identity, your age, and that you're a county resident. If either applicant was married before, bring documentation showing the prior marriage ended.

You need to bring:

• Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Midland 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 applies for both, bring the complete set for each applicant. Non-residents pay $30 instead of $20. Your ID must show a Midland County address to qualify for the resident rate.

Fees and Waiting Period in Midland County

The fee is $20 for Michigan residents. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets both amounts. Call ahead to confirm how the clerk's office accepts payment.

After the Midland County marriage license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. This is a state-mandated rule and cannot be waived. 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 to apply again and pay the fee again. Choose a ceremony date that falls within the 33-day window with time to spare. Two witnesses who are at least 18 must attend the ceremony and sign the license.

Who May Officiate Marriages in Michigan

MCL 551.7 lists who is authorized to perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all on the list. You can choose a civil or religious officiant based on your preference. Make sure whoever you choose is legally authorized before your ceremony date arrives.

After the ceremony, your officiant must return the signed license to the Midland County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is a legal requirement. A late or missing return can cause gaps in your official marriage record and make it harder to request certified copies later. Confirm this obligation with your officiant before the wedding and follow up to make sure it gets done.

Certified Copies of Midland County Marriage Records

After the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the official Midland County marriage record. You can request a certified copy from the Midland County Clerk at 220 W. Ellsworth Street. Bring a valid photo ID and the applicable fee at the time of your request.

For state-level requests or copies needed long after the wedding, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services holds vital records going back to 1867 for all 83 counties. The first certified copy is $34. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $16 each. Rush processing is available for $12 extra. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. Order online or by mail through MDHHS Vital Records. MDHHS 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 Midland County marriage records.

Michiganology offers free access to older Michigan vital records that can help researchers find historical Midland County marriage filings.

Name Change After Your Midland County Marriage

With a certified copy of your Midland County marriage record, go to the Social Security Administration first. Visit ssa.gov to find a local SSA 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 the SSA card is updated, visit a Michigan Secretary of State office to update your driver's license or state ID. Bring the updated Social Security card and your certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. After your ID is updated, work through bank accounts, your employer, and other records. Keep extra certified copies of your marriage certificate on hand since many agencies ask for a certified version.

Nearby Counties

Midland County borders Saginaw and Bay counties to the south, and Gladwin, Isabella, and Gratiot counties nearby. Saginaw and Bay counties have dedicated pages on this site.