Search Saginaw County Marriage License Records

Saginaw County marriage licenses are issued through the Saginaw County Clerk's office at the Governmental Center in downtown Saginaw. The office also maintains marriage records dating back to 1867, with an online self-service portal for records from 1995 to the present. This page covers what you need to apply for a Saginaw County marriage license, what fees to expect, how the waiting period works, and how to access the county's marriage records search system.

Saginaw County Clerk Office

The Saginaw County Clerk's office is on the first floor of the Saginaw County Governmental Center at 111 S. Michigan Avenue in Room 101. This is where you apply for a Saginaw County marriage license and where you can request certified marriage records. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on weekends and county holidays.

For questions before your visit, call (989) 790-5251 or fax (989) 790-5254. The Saginaw County Clerk page lists current contact details, office services, and links to vital records resources. The main county website at saginawcounty.com provides a broader look at all county departments if you need to reach other offices.

The screenshot below comes from the Saginaw County main website, where you can find the clerk's office, vital records services, and links to the marriage records portal.

The Saginaw County site provides navigation to the clerk's office, vital records, and the self-service marriage records search portal for applicants and researchers.

How to Apply for a Saginaw County Marriage License

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Saginaw County resident to apply here. The standard Michigan residency rules apply. If neither party lives in Saginaw County but you plan to hold your ceremony here, you would apply in the county where the wedding takes place. Non-residents pay the higher $30 fee instead of the $20 resident fee.

The application is a sworn affidavit. Under MCL 551.102, both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID with your current address and any documents related to previous marriages, such as divorce decrees or death certificates. False statements on the application are treated as perjury under Michigan law.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need written parental consent under MCL 551.103. No one under 16 may legally marry in Michigan.

The screenshot below is from the Saginaw County Clerk department page, which provides details on marriage license applications and vital records services in Saginaw County.

The clerk's department page covers application requirements, office hours, contact information, and links to the self-service records portal for Saginaw County marriages.

Saginaw County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a Saginaw County marriage license is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for out-of-state applicants. These fees follow the standard Michigan structure set by state law. After the ceremony, if you need a certified copy of your Saginaw County marriage certificate, the first copy costs $15. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $7.

For mail requests, the fee is $16 for the first certified copy, which covers postage. Additional copies are $7 each. Send a check or money order along with a self-addressed envelope to the Saginaw County Clerk, Governmental Center, 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48602. Include the names of both parties, the marriage date, and a return address with your request.

Waiting Period and License Validity

Michigan law under MCL 551.103a requires a three-day waiting period between applying for and picking up your Saginaw County marriage license. You cannot hold your ceremony until those three days have passed. Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days. If your wedding date falls after the 33-day validity window, the license expires and you'll need to apply and pay again.

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the Saginaw County Clerk within 10 days under MCL 551.104. That signed license becomes the official marriage record on file with the county. If you need certified copies later, they're pulled from this returned record. Don't let your officiant sit on the paperwork for weeks.

Saginaw County Marriage Records Portal

Saginaw County operates a web self-service portal for searching and ordering marriage records. The portal covers marriages from 1995 to the present. For online searches, visit the Saginaw County marriage self-service portal to look up records without calling or visiting the office. The county also maintains records going back to 1867, which predate the online system. Older records require a direct request to the clerk's office by mail or in person.

For statewide records and copies of marriage certificates across Michigan, the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office holds records since 1867. Call (517) 335-8666 to request a copy or order online through the MDHHS site. Fees at the state level differ from county fees. For historical records useful in genealogy work, Michiganology provides a free searchable database of older Michigan vital records including those from Saginaw County.

Authorized Officiants and Ceremony Rules

Under MCL 551.7, authorized officiants in Michigan include judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks. For couples marrying in Saginaw or anywhere else in Saginaw County, these options give a fair amount of flexibility. Civil ceremonies can be arranged through local courts. Confirm your officiant is legally authorized before the ceremony to avoid issues with the returned license.

The Michigan Courts website provides information on civil ceremony procedures and authorized officiants statewide. If you plan to use an online-ordained minister, Michigan generally recognizes these ordinations but it's worth confirming with your county before the ceremony.

Name Changes After a Saginaw County Wedding

Once your Saginaw County marriage license is recorded, you can begin updating your name with key agencies. Start with the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov to update your Social Security card. There is no fee for this step. Then visit a Michigan Secretary of State branch to update your driver's license or state ID. Both agencies require a certified copy of your marriage certificate, not a photocopy. Order certified copies from the Saginaw County Clerk or through MDHHS before starting the name change process.

Cities in Saginaw County

The City of Saginaw is the county seat, but there are no qualifying cities from our list in Saginaw County with dedicated marriage license pages at this time.

Nearby Counties

Saginaw County borders several counties in mid-Michigan. Confirm your county of residence before applying for a marriage license.