If residents of Michigan, the Affidavit must be completed in the county in which one of the parties is a resident.  After the license is issued, the parties may be married in any county in Michigan.  The County Clerk requires a fee of $20.00 at the time of application.

Out-of-State residents must obtain the license in the county where they will be married. The cost is $30.00

The following information is required when making application:

1. Full name of each party.

2. Present age of each party (minimum age for marriage in Michigan without parental consent is 18.)

3. Date of birth of each party.

4. Address of each party.

5. County of residence.

6. Birthplace of each party (city and state).

7. Number of times previously married.

8. Father's full name of each party.

9. Mother's full name (last name being maiden name).

10. Birthplace (state) of the parents of each party.

Both parties must appear in person to complete affidavit.  A driver license or state identification card is required of each applicant, and a birth certificate.

A three (3) day waiting period exists after application, before the license is issued.  The "waiting period" may be waived by the County Clerk, for good cause. The waiver fee amount may vary from county to county.  (Emmet County’s waiver fee was $25.)

MARRIAGE LICENSE

The marriage license is valid for 30 days after it is issued.

The Certificate of Marriage requires two (2) witnesses or observe and sign the license.  (The officiant always signs.)  As of 2006, the bride and groom must sign the license.  (If either intends to change their name upon marriage, the name to be used as a result of the marriage is the preferred signature.)  All Certificate copies must be completed, printed in black ink or typewritten, by the person who performed the marriage.  One copy is delivered to the newlyweds.  The other copies are returned by the official recording the marriage (officiant) to the County Clerk within 10 days.

When receiving the license, review it carefully.  Any mistake can be corrected at the time you receive it.  If the County Clerk's office made the mistake, the office will correct the license at no charge.  If the applicant made the mistake, a fee will be charged.  To change the license after the marriage ceremony and the license has been filed with the state, a Circuit Court case is opened with a filing fee; the Judge must sign an Order to correct the license.

---

Phone numbers of some Michigan County Clerks:

Emmet County Clerk: 1-231-348-1744
Antrim County Clerk: 1-231-533-6353
Grand Traverse County Clerk: 1-231-922-4760
Leelanau County: 1-231-256-9824
Otsego County: 1-989-731-7500

• If living together in Michigan and not married, you may be interested in the Michigan law concerning same.