Applying for a Michigan Marriage License
In the state of Michigan, if you are 16 or 17 and want to get married, as long as you have written permission from one of your parents, they come with you and have their photo ID, a copy of your birth certificate, the courts can make it happen.
The marriage license expires 33 days from the date that you apply for it. I suggest to my couples that they start looking for an appointment with the county clerk 60 days before the wedding but schedule their appointment within a 28-day window.
Sixty days? Really? YES! Since Covid, all of the county clerk’s offices have been short staffed and over worked just like everyone else. So don’t wait till the last minute to look for an appointment!
When you do go to make your appointment, whatever county you or your soon to be spouse live in, will be the county that you will apply for your license thru. Just Google COUNTY marriage license application and follow the directions. If you live out of state and are getting married in Michigan, you’ll get your license from the county that your venue is located in.
Both parties will need to provide a valid driver's license or state ID showing your current address.
A birth certificate or a valid passport. If your passport is used instead of a birth certificate, full names of both parents and the state or country where they were born must be provided. And, if your birth certificate is not in English, it’s best to find someone to translate it first.
And finally, Social Security numbers of both parties.
Fees for the license vary from county to county. Again, just look on the county website so you can be prepared to pay at the window. Make sure you have the right type of payment as well; you don’t want to have an American Express and find out when you get there that it’s the one card they don’t take!
Once you've submitted your application, you’ll need to make an appointment to go back to the clerks’ office and pick up your marriage license.
There is a 3-day waiting period for obtaining the marriage license. If you are not able to apply online at least 3 days prior to your appointment date, or can’t get back to pick it up, the 3-day waiting period can usually be waived for an additional fee. Note: By waiving the 3-day waiting period, the marriage license will expire in 30 days.
Why do I suggest a 28-day window? Because sometimes, you forget the license. It’s at home. You live an hour away one way, and I live an hour away the other. If we pad the window a bit, we have an opportunity to get it signed before it expires.
If you do happen to forget the license at home, Michigan law states that I cannot use any terminology that would reflect your union being a legal marriage. So, I’ll switch it up to do what’s right, but none of your guests will even realize what’s going on. I got you.
When it’s time to go back in and pick up the license, bring your confirmation number, if they gave you one, valid id’s, social security numbers and birth certificates (or passports) for both parties to the clerks’ office.
The marriage license is available to be picked up on the third day following your application submission. It must be picked up in person at the clerk’s office. I personally haven’t heard of any of the Michigan clerks’ offices mailing it to you. You don’t both have to go either. They only require one person to show up and pick up the marriage license. But be prepared to show provide photocopies (front and back) of all required ID for the other party.
Fairly straightforward, but if you have questions – call me!
