Find an Ontonagon County Marriage License

Ontonagon County marriage licenses are issued by the Ontonagon County Clerk in the village of Ontonagon, the county seat on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you or your partner lives in Ontonagon County, the county clerk at 725 Greenland Road is where you apply. This page details the clerk's contact information, required documents, fees, the waiting period, ceremony requirements, and how to get certified copies of Ontonagon County marriage records.

Ontonagon County Clerk Office

The Ontonagon County Clerk's office is at 725 Greenland Road in Ontonagon. This is the only county office that issues marriage licenses and files the official marriage records for Ontonagon County. Walk-in applications are accepted on business days. No appointment is required. Having your documents ready will make the visit fast and straightforward.

After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to this office. The clerk files it as the permanent Ontonagon County marriage record. The clerk can issue certified copies with valid photo ID and the applicable fee whenever you need them.

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

MDHHS provides certified marriage certificates for Ontonagon County and all other Michigan counties through mail or online ordering.

How to Apply in Ontonagon County

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be an Ontonagon County resident to apply here. If neither of you lives here but your ceremony will be held in Ontonagon County, you may still apply at this office. Only one person needs to appear in person. That person can bring documents for both. The absent applicant does not need to come in.

The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. You sign under oath. False information is perjury under Michigan law. Complete every field accurately. The clerk can clarify any part of the form that's unclear.

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 Ontonagon County

Ontonagon County is one of Michigan's most remote counties. The drive to the county seat can be long. Check your documents before you leave. Missing one item means driving back. The clerk needs to confirm identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages must be documented as ended.

Bring the following:

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

Fees and Waiting Period in Ontonagon County

Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets both rates. Call ahead to confirm how the clerk accepts payment.

After the Ontonagon County marriage license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. This is a statewide requirement and cannot be waived. The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. A ceremony after 33 days means the license has expired and you'd need to apply again. Plan your ceremony within the 33-day window. Two witnesses who are 18 or older must attend the ceremony and sign the license.

Ceremony Officiants in Michigan

MCL 551.7 defines who may perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all authorized. Civil and religious ceremonies are both valid. Make sure your officiant is legally authorized before your ceremony date.

After the ceremony, your officiant must return the signed license to the Ontonagon County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is a legal requirement. A late or missing return can disrupt your official marriage record. Talk to your officiant about this before the wedding and follow up to confirm the return was made on time.

Certified Copies of Ontonagon County Marriage Records

Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent Ontonagon County marriage record. The Ontonagon County Clerk at 725 Greenland Road can issue certified copies. Bring a valid photo ID and the applicable fee when you visit.

For state-level requests or copies needed years after the wedding, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 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 adds $12. Standard turnaround is 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.

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

Michiganology's free archive can help researchers find historical Ontonagon County marriage records.

Name Change After Your Ontonagon County Marriage

Once you have a certified copy of your Ontonagon County marriage record, start the name change at the Social Security Administration. Go to ssa.gov for local office details 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 SSA card and your certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. After your ID is updated, work through your other accounts. Keep extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for institutions that require a certified document.

Nearby Counties

Ontonagon County is in the western Upper Peninsula. Houghton, Gogebic, Iron, and Baraga counties are nearby, but none currently have dedicated pages on this site.