Find Roscommon County Marriage License Records
Roscommon County marriage licenses are issued by the Roscommon County Clerk in the village of Roscommon, the county seat in the heart of northern Michigan lake country. If you or your partner lives in Roscommon County, the county clerk at 500 Lake Street is where you apply for your marriage license. This page covers the clerk's contact details, what documents to bring, fees, the waiting period, ceremony requirements, and how to get certified copies of Roscommon County marriage records after your ceremony is done.
Roscommon County Overview
Roscommon County Clerk Office
The Roscommon County Clerk's office is at 500 Lake Street in Roscommon. This office issues all marriage licenses for the county and records the signed license after the ceremony. Walk-in applications are accepted during regular business hours. No appointment is required. Come prepared with all your documents to complete the application in a single visit.
After your ceremony, the signed license is returned to this office. The clerk files it as the permanent Roscommon County marriage record. That record is your legal proof of marriage. Certified copies are available from the clerk with valid photo ID and the applicable fee.
| Office | Roscommon County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653 |
| Phone | (989) 275-5931 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | roscommoncounty.net/clerk |
Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized historical Michigan vital records, making it a useful tool for genealogy research involving Roscommon County marriage records.
Michiganology's free archive includes historical Michigan vital records that may help researchers find older Roscommon County marriage filings.
How to Apply in Roscommon County
Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Roscommon County resident to apply here. Non-residents planning to hold a ceremony in Roscommon County may also apply at this office. Only one person needs to appear in person. That person can bring documents for both. The other 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. The form is signed under oath. False information is perjury under Michigan law. Fill every field accurately. Ask the clerk about any parts of the form that aren't clear.
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 Roscommon County
Get your documents together before heading to 500 Lake Street. Missing anything means a return trip. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages require proof they ended legally.
Bring the following:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Roscommon 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 full document set for each applicant. Non-residents pay $30 instead of $20. Your ID must show a Roscommon County address to get the resident rate.
Fees and Waiting Period in Roscommon County
Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets both amounts. Call the clerk's office to confirm payment methods before your visit.
After the Roscommon County marriage license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. This is statewide Michigan law 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. You'd need to apply again. Plan your ceremony so it falls within the 33-day window. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must attend the ceremony and sign the license.
Who Can Perform a Marriage in Michigan
MCL 551.7 defines who may perform a legal marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all on the authorized list. Civil and religious ceremonies are both valid. Make sure your officiant is legally authorized before your ceremony date.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Roscommon County Clerk within 10 days under MCL 551.104. This is a legal requirement. A late or missing return can cause problems with your official marriage record. Talk to your officiant about this before the wedding and follow up to confirm the return was made.
Certified Copies of Roscommon County Marriage Records
Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent Roscommon County marriage record. Request a certified copy from the Roscommon County Clerk at 500 Lake Street. Bring valid photo ID and the applicable fee.
For state-level records or copies needed years after the wedding, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains vital records for all 83 Michigan counties 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.
The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal handles certified marriage record requests for marriages across all 83 Michigan counties dating back to 1867.
MDHHS processes certified copy requests for Roscommon County marriage records and all other Michigan county vital records.
Name Change After Your Roscommon County Marriage
Once you have a certified copy of your Roscommon County marriage record, start the name change at the Social Security Administration. Visit ssa.gov for local office information 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 the certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. Once your state ID is updated, work through your banks, employer, and other accounts. Keep extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for institutions that require certified documents.
Nearby Counties
Roscommon County is in northern Michigan. Crawford, Missaukee, Osceola, Clare, Ogemaw, and Kalkaska counties are nearby, but none currently have dedicated pages on this site.