St. Joseph County Marriage License
St. Joseph County marriage licenses are issued by the St. Joseph County Clerk in Centreville, the county seat in southwest Michigan near the Indiana border. If you or your partner lives in St. Joseph County, the county clerk at 125 W. Main Street is where you apply. This page covers the clerk's contact details, required documents, fees, the three-day waiting period, ceremony requirements under Michigan law, and how to get certified copies of St. Joseph County marriage records after your license is filed.
St. Joseph County Overview
St. Joseph County Clerk Office
The St. Joseph County Clerk's office is at 125 W. Main Street in Centreville. This is the only county office that issues marriage licenses and files the official St. Joseph County marriage records. Walk-in applications are accepted during regular business hours. No appointment is required. Bring your complete set of documents to complete the application in a single visit.
After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to this office. The clerk files it as the permanent St. Joseph County marriage record. The clerk can issue certified copies with valid photo ID and the applicable fee at any time after the record is filed.
| Office | St. Joseph County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 189, Centreville, MI 49032 |
| Phone | (269) 467-5500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.st-joseph.mi.us/clerk |
Vital Records Online offers a convenient service for ordering certified copies of Michigan marriage records from state and county sources.
Vital Records Online provides an additional option for ordering certified St. Joseph County marriage records.
How to Apply for a St. Joseph County Marriage License
Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a St. Joseph County resident to apply here. Non-residents planning to hold their ceremony in St. Joseph County may also 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. The form is signed under oath. False information is perjury under Michigan law. Fill all fields accurately. The clerk can answer questions about specific parts of the form.
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 St. Joseph County
Check your documents before making the trip to Centreville. Missing anything means a return visit. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages require proof the marriage ended legally.
Bring all of these:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing a St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County address to qualify for the resident rate.
Fees and Waiting Period in St. Joseph County
Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets both rates. Call the clerk to confirm payment methods before your visit.
After the St. Joseph County marriage license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. This is statewide Michigan law. It 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 start over. 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 legally perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all authorized. Civil and religious ceremonies are both valid. Confirm your officiant is legally authorized before the ceremony date.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the St. Joseph County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is a legal requirement. A late or missing return causes problems with your official marriage record. Talk to your officiant about this before the wedding and confirm it was done on time.
Certified Copies of St. Joseph County Marriage Records
Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent St. Joseph County marriage record. Request a certified copy from the St. Joseph County Clerk at 125 W. Main Street in Centreville. Bring valid photo ID and the applicable fee at the time of your request.
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 St. Joseph County and all other Michigan county marriage records.
Name Change After Your St. Joseph County Marriage
With a certified copy of your St. Joseph County marriage record, start the name change at the Social Security Administration. Go to ssa.gov for local office details or mail-in instructions. The name change is free. 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. 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 need certified documents.
Nearby Counties
St. Joseph County is in southwest Michigan near the Indiana state line. Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and Berrien counties have dedicated pages on this site. Cass and Branch counties are also nearby but do not currently have dedicated pages.