Wexford County Marriage License
Wexford County marriage licenses are issued by the Wexford County Clerk in Cadillac, the county seat in northwest Michigan. If you or your partner lives in Wexford County, the county clerk at 437 E. Division Street is where you apply for your marriage license. This page covers the clerk's address and hours, what documents to bring, fees, the three-day waiting period, who can perform your ceremony under Michigan law, and how to get certified copies of Wexford County marriage records after your license is filed.
Wexford County Overview
Wexford County Clerk Office
The Wexford County Clerk's office is at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac. This office handles all marriage license applications and records the signed licenses after ceremonies. Walk-in applications are accepted on business days. No appointment is required. Have your documents ready to go to make the visit fast and complete.
After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to this office. The clerk files it as the permanent Wexford County marriage record. Certified copies can be requested from the clerk with valid photo ID and the applicable fee at any time after the record is filed.
| Office | Wexford County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 437 E. Division Street, Cadillac, MI 49601 |
| Phone | (231) 779-9453 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | wexfordcounty.org/clerk |
Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized historical Michigan vital records, making it a useful tool for genealogy research involving Wexford County marriage records.
Michiganology's free database includes older Michigan vital records that may include historical Wexford County marriage filings useful for family history research.
How to Apply for a Wexford County Marriage License
Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Wexford County resident to apply here. Non-residents planning to hold their ceremony in Wexford 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. Giving false information is perjury under Michigan law. Fill all fields accurately. The clerk can help with any questions about 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 Wexford County
Gather your documents before heading to Cadillac. Missing anything means a second trip. The clerk needs to verify identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages require documentation that they ended legally.
Bring all of the following:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Wexford 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 Wexford County address to get the resident rate.
Fees and Waiting Period in Wexford County
Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. State law sets both rates. Call the clerk's office to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
After the Wexford 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 has expired. You'd need to apply again. 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 Your Ceremony
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. Verify your officiant is legally authorized under this statute before your ceremony date.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Wexford County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is a legal duty. A late or missing return can cause problems with your official marriage record. Talk to your officiant about this before the wedding and confirm the return was made on time.
Certified Copies of Wexford County Marriage Records
Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent Wexford County marriage record. Request a certified copy from the Wexford County Clerk at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac. Bring valid photo ID and the applicable fee.
For state-level records or copies needed years after the wedding, 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 Wexford County and all other Michigan county marriage records.
Name Change After Your Wexford County Marriage
Once you have a certified copy of your Wexford County marriage record, start the name change at the Social Security Administration. Visit ssa.gov for local office details 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 your certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. Once your state ID is updated, work through banks, your employer, and other accounts. Keep extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for institutions that require certified documents rather than photocopies.
Nearby Counties
Wexford County is in northwest Michigan. Grand Traverse County to the north has a dedicated page. Missaukee, Osceola, Mecosta, Lake, and Manistee counties are nearby but do not currently have dedicated pages on this site.