Your wedding plans are well on their way, and now you are counting down the days until your wedding! You’re checking off all the boxes, and now you’re ready to apply for your marriage license, but how do you get a marriage license in Michigan? This blog post will outline everything you need to know on how to get a marriage license in Michigan.

When do you Need to Get a Marriage License?

You should apply for your marriage license at least two weeks before your wedding date. Be aware, the license will expire 33 days since the day of application. This includes the 1-5 day waiting period to receive your marriage license. If your wedding takes place after the license expires, you will have to reapply for a new license and will have to pay the fee again. 

Where do you apply for a marriage license?

Both you and your partner must go to a Michigan County Clerk’s office to apply for the marriage license. You will need to apply in the county in which either you or your partner live. You can learn more about marriage law and where to find your county’s office here. 

It’s best to make an appointment with your county clerk’s office to reserve a time to complete the marriage license process. Sometimes you can do this online. Each county’s website is different. Be sure to log into your county’s website or give them a call to make sure you are following protocol. 

If you are planning a destination wedding, such as a different state or country, you will still need to apply and have the same information. Many states allow couples to apply for their marriage license online, and can send their documents electronically together with the application form and fee. You may want to consider completing a civil ceremony in your county before leaving the state or country so you don’t have to carry any important documents with you.

What you need to apply for a marriage license in Michigan

When you apply for your marriage license, either online or in-person, you will want to make sure you  have all the information you need. 

Here is what your marriage license will require:

• Full names and gender
• Date of marriage
• Birth certificates or passports
• Driver’s licenses
• Social Security numbers 
• Previous marriage documents (if any) such as divorce papers

After you have completed your marriage license online, you will need to pick up the license in person at your appointment time. During this appointment, you will need to bring the following documentation:

• Valid ID’s
• Social Security Cards
• Birth Certificates

There is a fee for your marriage license. This can range anywhere from $20-$30, and additional fees may incur if you are rushing an application. County clerk offices often do not accept personal checks, so be prepared to bring cash or use a debit card.

Getting legally married in Michigan

So you and your partner have your marriage license, now it’s time to get married and make it official! You should receive 2-3 copies of your marriage license. One of these will be filed with the state, while the other 1-2 will be signed and kept with you as a souvenir or backup.

Most of the time, marriage licenses are signed immediately following a ceremony. Some couples choose to sign this during their reception or rehearsal dinner. Whatever you choose, make sure the papers are kept orderly and secure!

In most states, you will need to have the following parties present when signing:

• You and your partner
• The officiant of the wedding
• Two witnesses such as best man, maid of honor, friend or parent

If you are changing your name, you will want to sign your license with your new last name on your wedding day to help the name-change process run smoother. We have another blog with a step-by-step guide for how to change your name after marriage in Michigan here.

How to file your marriage license 

After the wedding, you will need to file your marriage license to register your marriage with the state. The license simply needs to be mailed or dropped off to the clerk’s office. Usually an officiant does this, but you can as well. Make sure you have a plan about who is going to file your license before your wedding takes place. 

In Michigan, you have up to 10 days from the date of the ceremony  to file your marriage license with your county clerk. After this, you should receive a certified copy of your license within 10 days. Once you have your certified copy, you can start the name-changing process, which will require additional copies of your license from your county clerk’s office. You will have to pay a fee for each additional copy.

Getting Married in Michigan

All the legalities of getting married can feel overwhelming at first, but we hope this guide was helpful for you! Our Savvy Shoots Photography team is dedicated to helping brides and grooms have the BEST wedding day possible, with less of the stress! Our blog has more guides to help you best prepare for your wedding day.

If you are still looking for a photographer to help you capture your special day, we’d love to meet you! Contact us today to learn about our availability and pricing.