St. Clair County Marriage License
St. Clair County marriage licenses are issued through the St. Clair County Clerk's office in Port Huron. Whether you live in Port Huron, Marysville, or anywhere else in St. Clair County, this is where you file your application. This guide walks through everything you need to know before applying, from required documents and fees to how to request a St. Clair County marriage certificate after your ceremony is complete. Michigan law governs the process, so the rules here are consistent with the rest of the state.
St. Clair County Overview
St. Clair County Clerk Office
The St. Clair County Clerk handles marriage license applications from the office at 200 Grand River Avenue in Port Huron. This office issues new licenses, receives returned licenses after ceremonies, and maintains official St. Clair County marriage records. Staff can answer questions about the process and walk you through the affidavit if needed. Walk-in applications are accepted during regular business hours.
The clerk's office also processes requests for certified copies of marriage certificates. If you filed your marriage license here and need proof of the marriage for a legal or personal matter, this is one place to start. The office holds records for all marriages filed within St. Clair County going back many years. For older records, state-level sources may have additional archive access.
| Office | St. Clair County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Grand River Ave., Port Huron, MI 48060 |
| Phone | (810) 985-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | stclaircountyclerk.org |
The St. Clair County Clerk's office hosts an online marriage certificate request form for residents who need certified copies. The screenshot below shows the certificate request page on the official clerk site.
Use the St. Clair County marriage certificate request form to order a certified copy online.
The online form lets you submit a request for a certified copy of a St. Clair County marriage certificate without visiting the Port Huron office in person.
Applying for a St. Clair County Marriage License
Michigan law under MCL 551.101 requires that at least one applicant be a St. Clair County resident to apply here. Non-residents who plan to have their ceremony in the county may also apply, but they pay the non-resident fee. Only one person needs to appear at the clerk's office in person. That person can bring the required documents for both parties. The second applicant does not need to be present.
The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both parties must supply their Social Security numbers and sign under oath. Giving false information on the application is perjury under Michigan law. Take the form seriously and fill it out accurately. The St. Clair County Clerk can help clarify any confusing fields before you sign.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Anyone aged 16 or 17 needs written parental consent. No one under 16 may legally marry in Michigan.
Note: Parental consent is required for any applicant between the ages of 16 and 17 when applying for a St. Clair County marriage license.
What to Bring to the St. Clair County Clerk
Show up prepared. The clerk needs documents from both applicants even if only one person is there. Pull everything together the night before so you're not scrambling the morning of your visit to Port Huron.
Bring the following for each applicant:
- Valid driver's license or state-issued ID with a current St. Clair County address
- Birth certificate or passport for age verification
- Social Security numbers for both parties
- Divorce decree or death certificate if either applicant was previously married
If your ID shows an address outside St. Clair County, the clerk may classify you as a non-resident and charge $30 instead of $20. Out-of-county residents are not blocked from applying, but the residency classification affects your fee. Check your ID before you go.
St. Clair County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents. State law sets these amounts. They apply to St. Clair County just as they do across most of Michigan. Bring cash or check, or call (810) 985-2200 ahead of time to confirm what forms of payment the office accepts.
After the clerk issues your St. Clair County marriage license, you must wait three days before the ceremony. This is required by MCL 551.103a. The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. If your ceremony falls outside that 33-day window, the license expires and you'll need to apply again. Think through your timeline when you go to the clerk so you apply at the right time relative to your planned wedding date.
The Michigan Courts site at courts.michigan.gov has more on state rules governing the license process, including the waiting period and validity window that affect all St. Clair County applicants.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan Courts portal, which provides statewide information on marriage license procedures including fees and timing rules that apply in St. Clair County.
The Michigan Courts portal confirms the three-day waiting period and 33-day validity window that govern all St. Clair County marriage licenses under state law.
Ceremonies in St. Clair County
MCL 551.7 sets out who can perform a legal marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all authorized. St. Clair County couples have many choices. A civil ceremony at a local court, a church service, or an outdoor event with an ordained friend are all valid options as long as the person officiating meets the legal requirements.
Once your ceremony is complete, the officiant must sign the St. Clair County marriage license and return it to the clerk's office within 10 days. This is required under MCL 551.104. If the license isn't returned in time, it can create gaps in the official record that are hard to fix later. Let your officiant know about this obligation well before the wedding day so it doesn't get overlooked.
Note: The signed St. Clair County marriage license must be returned to the clerk's office by the officiant within 10 days of the ceremony.
Marriage Records in St. Clair County
The St. Clair County Clerk maintains the official record of every marriage filed in the county. Once the officiant returns the signed license, the clerk files it. Certified copies can be requested through the online certificate request form or in person at 200 Grand River Avenue in Port Huron.
For statewide marriage records or records going further back in time, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has records from 1867 onward. A certified copy costs $34 for the first one and $16 for each additional copy. Rush service is available for $12 more. Order online or by mail through MDHHS Vital Records. You can also call (517) 335-8666 with questions.
The screenshot below shows the MDHHS Vital Records page, which is the state source for ordering certified copies of St. Clair County marriage certificates.
MDHHS processes certified copy requests for all Michigan counties including St. Clair County by mail and online.
For historical records and genealogy, Michiganology has a free archive that includes older St. Clair County vital records. It's worth checking if you're looking for marriages from before 1950.
Name Change After Your St. Clair County Marriage
With your St. Clair County marriage license on file and a certified copy in hand, you're ready to change your name. Start with the Social Security Administration. Go to ssa.gov or visit an SSA office near Port Huron. You'll need your certified marriage certificate, a current photo ID, and proof of citizenship or immigration status. The update is free and typically takes a few weeks.
Once your Social Security record reflects the new name, go to the Michigan Secretary of State for a new driver's license or state ID. Bring the updated SSA card and your certified marriage certificate. SOS branches in Port Huron and across St. Clair County accept walk-ins or scheduled appointments. Update your name on financial accounts, insurance, and other documents once your state ID is in order.
Cities in St. Clair County
St. Clair County includes Port Huron as its county seat along with other communities such as Marysville, Marine City, and St. Clair. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated marriage license page. All St. Clair County residents apply for their marriage license through the county clerk's office in Port Huron.
Nearby Counties
St. Clair County shares borders with several other Michigan counties. If you live near a county line, confirm your address falls in St. Clair County before filing here.