Michigan Marriage Records

Marriages in Michigan are legally recognized unions between two individuals that confer certain obligations and rights to the parties involved. Over the past decade, an average of 53,587 marriages have been recorded across Michigan. The Michigan Compiled Laws govern these marriages, specifically Chapter 551 – this law outlines the eligibility criteria, requirements, and overall legal framework for marriages and wedding ceremonies in the state. Under this law, the couple must consent freely to the marriage, not be closely related (by blood or marriage), and must obtain a marriage license from a County Clerk before their marriage ceremony. An authorized officiant must also perform the ceremony in the presence of at least two witnesses.

While the legal age for marriage in Michigan is 18, exemptions may be made for 16 and 17-year-olds who get parental consent. Michigan marriage licenses are available to residents and non-residents, valid for 33 days, and must be returned to the local County Clerk’s office (that issued the license) for recording and filing. These local County Clerks are responsible for managing marriage records in the state; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also maintains copies of these records through its Vital Records Department. These records are generally public and can be readily accessed by interested parties.

What are Marriage Records?

Michigan marriage records are official documents that detail the legal union between two individuals within the state. These documents are considered vital records in Michigan and serve several important purposes. These include facilitating name changes and tax filings, providing a formal and legal record of the marriage, supporting insurance and inheritance claims, and for genealogical research. Marriage records are also used to generate data for social, cultural, and demographic trends and research in Michigan.

Sometimes, "marriage license" and "marriage certificate" are interchangeably used when referring to Michigan marriage records. However, while these are both types of marriage records, they are not the same. Marriage licenses are official documents required for the marriage ceremony and must be obtained before this event can legally take place. On the other hand, marriage certificates are issued after the marriage ceremony has been conducted and serve as official documentation of the event.

Michigan marriage records are generated and maintained locally by the County Clerk's office in the county where the marriage license was issued); the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also maintains copies at the state level. Some of the information typically contained in these records includes:

The full names of the bride and bridegroom
The date and place of the marriage
The bride and bridegroom’s age, place of birth, and residence at the time of marriage
The father's name and mother's maiden name of bridegroom and bride
The name of the marriage officiant
The names and residences of the marriage witnesses
The number of times the bride or bridegroom has been previously married

Michigan marriage records are open and accessible to the general public; any interested party can also obtain certified copies of these records provided they make a request in writing and pay the required search fees. However, under state law, copies of confidential weddings (known as marriage "without publicity") are typically sealed and can only be accessed by the couple named on the record or via a court order issued by a Michigan Circuit Court judge.

Marriages in Michigan

According to recent reports and statistics published by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan had a marriage rate of 10 per 1,000 population in 2023, representing a continued decline over the years. However, divorce rates have been relatively stable, with about 3.2 divorces per 1,000 population recorded in 2023. About 70% of marriages that year were first marriages, with the median marriage for men and women being 30 and 28 years old, respectively; marriage rates were also slightly higher for men than for women.

A separate study reveals significant variations in marital status across different racial groups in the state. Approximately 54% of the White population is married, while 46% are not married. In contrast, the Black population in Michigan has a lower marriage rate, with about 33% married and 67% not married. The Asian population in Michigan exhibits the highest marriage rate among the racial groups, with around 64% married and 36% not married, while, among the Hispanic population, 45% are married, and 55% are not married. The mixed-race population (representing individuals of diverse racial backgrounds) shows a marriage rate of approximately 46%, with 54% unmarried, closely mirroring the marriage rates observed in the Hispanic population.

Getting married in Michigan typically requires following a well-defined legal process that begins with the couple obtaining a marriage license from the County Clerk's office in the county where any (or both) of them reside. Many counties provide options for initiating the application process online. Notwithstanding this, it must be completed in person by at least one of the applicants - only the individual who resides in the county is required to be present when applying for this license. If the intended bride and bridegroom are both residents of the same county, then either of them may be physically present to complete the process. If both applicants are Michigan residents, the license can be used anywhere within the state, regardless of where it was issued. However, if neither applicant is a Michigan resident, the license must be obtained and used in the county where the marriage will take place.

Marriage licenses are only issued to individuals aged 16 and older. Individuals who are at least 18 years old can obtain these licenses without parental consent, while those aged 16 or 17 must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian, who must also appear in person with a valid ID. In addition to this age requirement, marriage license applicants must also not be currently married to anyone else and cannot be closely related to each other by marriage or blood. Couples are not required to undergo medical tests or premarital counseling before obtaining a marriage license; however, they are typically provided with educational material on the transmission and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Be aware that there is a mandatory three-day waiting period before marriage licenses are issued in Michigan, starting from the date the application is submitted, and all stipulated fees are paid. Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 33 days and must be used within this period; otherwise, the couple must reapply for a new one.

Marriage ceremonies in Michigan are only considered valid if officiated by an authorized officiant in the presence of at least two witnesses. These authorized officiants include:

Michigan District, Probate, and Municipal Court judges
Federal Court judges
City mayors (limited to locations within the county)
County Clerks and designated employees (in counties with over 1.5 million residents)
Resident and non-resident ministers, clerics, and religious practitioners authorized by their denominations (non-resident ministers, clerics, and religious practitioners must be authorized to perform marriages in their home state)

After the marriage ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage license in duplicate and return the original to the County Clerk's office that issued it within ten days. The couple is typically given the duplicate copy immediately after the ceremony; however, it cannot be used for official purposes. Be aware that it is considered a misdemeanor for an unauthorized individual to knowingly officiate a marriage ceremony, punishable by fines of up to $500 and/or jail time of up to one year. Nevertheless, the marriage would still be considered valid if the couple believed that the officiant was authorized. Authorized officiants who also violate the state's marriage laws may face fines of up to $500 per violation.

Marriage License without Publicity

Michigan marriage laws (specifically sections 551.201 – 551.204) also allow couples to opt for a confidential marriage, also known as a marriage “without publicity.” The marriage process is similar to public marriages, except the couple must obtain special approval from a Probate Court judge. The couple will typically need to provide a valid reason for wanting to keep their marriage confidential (usually because at least one of them is younger than 18), and their marriage license application must be made under oath. Records of these marriages are generally restricted and can only be accessed by the couple or with a court order.

Michigan Marriage Certificate

Michigan marriage certificates are official documents that record and validate marriage ceremonies performed within the state. Officiants must return a properly signed marriage license to the County Clerk's office that initially issued it (within 10 days), where it will be processed, recorded, and filed.

Note that certified copies of marriage certificates are not issued automatically in Michigan. A duplicate copy of the signed marriage license is typically given to the couple after their marriage ceremony; however, this is not considered an official document and cannot be used for official purposes. Couples who wish to obtain certified copies of the marriage certificates (which can subsequently be used for official purposes) must submit an application to the County Clerk’s office that issued their marriage license and pay the stipulated fee (this varies by county). Requests can also be directed to the Vital Records Department of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Michigan marriage certificates typically contain information like the couple's full names, dates of birth, the date and location of the marriage ceremony, and the names of the wedding officiant and witnesses.

How To Find and Access Michigan Marriage Records

Michigan marriage records are maintained at both the county and state levels by County Clerks and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Vital Records Office, respectively, and can be accessed online and offline.

Accessing Michigan Marriage Records Online

Many County Clerk's offices in Michigan offer an online platform for requesting copies of marriage records. Note that these offices typically only provide access to records for marriage licenses they issued and may charge a search fee, regardless of whether the record is found. As such, requesters should be aware of the specific county that issued the marriage license in question when looking to access marriage records from a County Clerk's office.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Vital Records Department also provides online access to copies of marriage records through a third-party service provider. This department charges a $34 search fee for online marriage requests, plus additional service and processing charges.

Accessing Michigan Marriage Records Offline

Individuals can request Michigan marriage certificates in person by visiting the County Clerk’s office that issued the original marriage license. These offices typically require requesters to complete a request form, which may also be submitted via mail, Dropbox, or any other option made available by the office. Be aware that search and copy fees will apply.

The Michigan Vital Records Department also offers offline access to the following types of marriage records from 1867 to date:

Certified copies of marriage records – anyone can typically request these; however, access to information on confidential records is generally available only to the couple named on the record.
Authenticated (exemplified) marriage records with apostille – these are typically required for use by foreign governments. They cannot be used in the U.S. and must specify the country where the document will be used.
Authenticated statement of no marriage – typically requested by Michigan residents looking to get married in a foreign country.
Marriage verifications – these are typically requested by individuals looking to verify key facts from a Michigan marriage record. This verification will include a stamp indicating whether a record matching the applicant’s criteria exists, but it does not include a signature, state file number, or a copy of the record. Be aware that the couple’s parents’ names cannot be verified; only the names on the record, the date and place of the marriage, and the date the record was filed can be verified.

Requests can be directed to this department in person, via phone, mail-in, or drop-box. Similar to the County Clerks’ offices, requesters will also be required to complete and submit an appropriate request application form, provide a valid ID, and pay the stipulated fees (dependent on the request method and type of marriage document required). In-person requesters must also schedule an appointment with the department before visiting to ensure a smooth process.

References

Counties in Michigan

List of Content

What are Marriage Records?
Marriages in Michigan
1. Michigan Marriage Certificate
How To Find and Access Michigan Marriage Records