Van Buren County Marriage License

Van Buren County marriage licenses are issued by the Van Buren County Clerk in Paw Paw, the county seat in southwest Michigan wine country near Lake Michigan. If you or your partner lives in Van Buren County, the county clerk at 212 Paw Paw Street is where you apply. This page covers clerk contact details, required documents, fees, the waiting period, ceremony rules under Michigan law, and how to get certified copies of Van Buren County marriage records after your license is filed.

Van Buren County Clerk Office

The Van Buren County Clerk's office is at 212 Paw Paw Street, Suite 101 in Paw Paw. This is the only county office that issues marriage licenses and files the official Van Buren County marriage records. Walk-in applications are accepted during regular business hours. No appointment is needed. Have your documents ready to go when you arrive.

After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to this office. The clerk files it as the permanent Van Buren County marriage record. That record is your legal documentation of the marriage. The clerk can issue certified copies with valid photo ID and the applicable fee at any time after the record is filed.

The Michigan Courts website details the laws and MCL statutes that apply to marriage licenses in Van Buren County and across Michigan.

Michigan Courts sets the statewide statutory framework for marriage licenses, including the waiting period and validity rules that apply in Van Buren County.

How to Apply in Van Buren County

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Van Buren County resident to apply here. Non-residents who plan to hold their ceremony in Van Buren 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 all fields 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 Van Buren County

Pull your documents together before heading to Paw Paw. Missing anything means a second visit. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages require proof the marriage ended legally.

You need to bring:

• Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Van Buren 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 Van Buren County address to get the resident rate.

Fees and Waiting Period in Van Buren County

Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets both rates. Confirm payment methods with the clerk before your visit.

After the Van Buren County marriage license is issued, a three-day waiting period applies before any ceremony can take place. This is a statewide rule under 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. 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 is legally authorized to perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all on the list. Civil and religious ceremonies are both valid. Verify that your officiant is legally authorized before your ceremony date.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Van Buren County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is a legal requirement. A late or missing return causes gaps in your official marriage record. Discuss this with your officiant before the wedding and confirm the return was made after the ceremony.

Certified Copies of Van Buren County Marriage Records

Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent Van Buren County marriage record. Request a certified copy from the Van Buren County Clerk at 212 Paw Paw Street in Paw Paw. Bring valid photo ID and the applicable fee when you visit.

For state-level records or copies needed years 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 marriage record requests for Van Buren County and all other Michigan counties.

Name Change After Your Van Buren County Marriage

With a certified copy of your Van Buren County marriage record, start the name change at the Social Security Administration. Visit ssa.gov for a local office location 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 branches 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

Van Buren County is in southwest Michigan. Kalamazoo, Allegan, Berrien, and Cass counties are all neighbors. Kalamazoo, Allegan, and Berrien counties have dedicated pages. Cass County does not currently have a dedicated page.