Shiawassee County Marriage License
Shiawassee County marriage licenses are issued by the Shiawassee County Clerk in Corunna, the county seat in mid-Michigan between Lansing and Flint. If you or your partner lives in Shiawassee County, the county clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street is your starting point. This page covers the clerk's office details, required documents, fees, the waiting period, ceremony rules, and how to get certified copies of Shiawassee County marriage records after your license is filed and recorded.
Shiawassee County Overview
Shiawassee County Clerk Office
The Shiawassee County Clerk's office is at 208 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna. This is the only office in the county that issues marriage licenses and files the official Shiawassee County marriage records. Walk-in applications are accepted on business days. No appointment is needed. Bring your complete set of documents so the application can be finished in one visit.
After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to this office. The clerk files it as the permanent Shiawassee County marriage record. That record is the legal documentation of your marriage. The clerk can issue certified copies with valid photo ID and the applicable fee at any time after filing.
| Office | Shiawassee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 208 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 |
| Phone | (989) 743-2242 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | shiawassee.net/clerk |
The Michigan Courts website details the laws and MCL statutes that apply to marriage licenses in Shiawassee County and across Michigan.
Michigan Courts sets the statewide framework for marriage licenses, covering the three-day wait and 33-day validity that apply in Shiawassee County.
How to Apply for a Shiawassee County Marriage License
Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Shiawassee County resident to apply here. Non-residents planning to hold their ceremony in Shiawassee County may also apply at this office. Only one person needs to go 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. You sign under oath. False information is perjury under Michigan law. Fill every field accurately. The clerk can help if any part of the form is 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 Shiawassee County
Pull your documents together before heading to Corunna. Missing anything means a second trip. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages must be documented as ended.
You need to bring:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Shiawassee 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 set for each applicant. Non-residents pay $30 instead of $20. Your ID must show a Shiawassee County address to qualify for the resident rate.
Fees and Waiting Period in Shiawassee 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 Shiawassee County marriage license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. This is a statewide rule and cannot be waived. The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. A ceremony after 33 days means the license expired. You'd need to apply again. Plan your ceremony within the 33-day window. Two witnesses aged 18 or older must attend the ceremony and sign the license.
Officiants Under Michigan Law
MCL 551.7 lists who may legally perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all authorized. Civil and religious ceremonies are both valid. Verify your officiant is legally authorized before your ceremony date.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Shiawassee County Clerk within 10 days under MCL 551.104. This is a legal duty. A late or missing return causes gaps in your official marriage record. Talk to your officiant before the wedding about this obligation and confirm the license was returned on time.
Certified Copies of Shiawassee County Marriage Records
Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent Shiawassee County marriage record. Request a certified copy from the Shiawassee County Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna. Bring valid photo ID and the applicable fee.
For state-level records or copies needed long after the marriage, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services holds 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 Shiawassee County and all other Michigan county marriage records.
Name Change After Your Shiawassee County Marriage
Once you have a certified copy of your Shiawassee County marriage record, start the name change at the Social Security Administration. Go to ssa.gov for local office information or mail-in instructions. There is no charge. 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 branches accept walk-ins. Once your state ID is updated, work through your bank accounts, employer, and other records. Keep extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for institutions that require certified documents.
Nearby Counties
Shiawassee County is in mid-Michigan. Ingham, Genesee, Saginaw, and Livingston counties are nearby and all have dedicated pages on this site. Clinton County also borders Shiawassee but does not currently have a dedicated page.