Michigan Marriage License Requirements 2026: Fees, Wait, Age

In Michigan, the county clerk issues marriage licenses. Under MCL 551.101 you apply to the clerk of the county where either of you lives, the license cannot be handed over until 3 days have passed counting the application date, and it is void unless the wedding takes place within 33 days after you applied (MCL 551.103a). The statutory fee is $20, plus $10 more if neither of you lives in Michigan, though Wayne County sets its own fee.

Both of you must be at least 18. Since September 19, 2023, a marriage entered in Michigan by anyone under 18 is void, with no parental or court exception (MCL 551.51). For other states, see our guide to marriage license requirements by state.

Information last verified on October 7, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers getting a marriage license and marrying in Michigan under Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, with procedures and fees published by the Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Genesee county clerks. It does not cover divorce, ordering older marriage records, common-law marriage (see Michigan common-law marriage), or the rules of other states.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Michigan

Michigan marriage licenses come from the county clerk, not a state office. MCL 551.101 tells you which county: the county where either of you lives. If neither of you is a Michigan resident, you apply to the clerk of the county where the wedding will take place. In rare cases a probate judge can instead issue a license without publicity, if the sworn application gives a reason the judge finds sufficient (MCL 551.201).

MCL 551.101: you must "obtain a marriage license from the county clerk of the county in which either the man or woman resides."

A license issued to a resident works anywhere in the state. Macomb County puts it plainly: "Even though you apply for your marriage license in the county you live in, you can get married any place in Michigan." Genesee County says the same. Couples who both live out of state should plan the ceremony in the county that issues the license; Kent and Genesee tie the out-of-state fee to a wedding held in their county.

Applying online, in person and by mail

The application is an affidavit you sign in front of the clerk or a deputy clerk (MCL 551.102). Most large counties let you start online and finish at the clerk's office:

• Wayne County: appointment only, at 400 Monroe St., Suite 610, Detroit. The applicant who lives in Wayne County must be present.
• Oakland County: walk-in service in Pontiac and appointments in Troy. Only one of you has to be present to pick up the license, bringing photocopies of the other person's ID.
• Macomb County: at least one applicant must be a Macomb County resident and prove it with a current driver's license or state ID.
• Kent County: online pre-application, then the in-person steps the county lists.
• Genesee County: "Only one applicant is required to be present to apply." Genesee also accepts applications by mail with a notarized affidavit.

No Michigan county page checked for this article offers a fully remote video license. Expect at least one trip to the clerk's office.

What to Bring: ID, Birth Certificate and Social Security Numbers

The statute sets the core requirements and each county clerk adds its own document list. Under MCL 551.102, the application must have a space for each applicant's Social Security number. If you are legally exempt from having a number, or you claim the religious-objection exemption, the clerk must tell you how that works. Your number does not appear on the license, and the application is not a public record.

Under MCL 551.103(1), you must show proof of age, such as a birth certificate, when the clerk asks for it. The county pages checked for this article ask both of you for:

• A current driver's license or state ID. Macomb wants one showing your current address. Genesee accepts a passport for identity and age but not as proof of residency.
• A birth certificate. Rules vary by county. Wayne County asks for a certified copy with parental information, accepts a valid passport if you do not have one, and does not accept hospital or baptismal certificates. Genesee accepts copies, and Macomb says birth certificates are helpful but not required. Genesee asks for the long-form certificate, and Kent wants a government-issued certificate, not a hospital record.
• Your Social Security numbers. You do not need the cards.

If you cannot get a birth certificate, Macomb and Genesee ask for your place of birth and both parents' names and birthplaces instead. Kent adds one requirement couples sometimes miss: if the ceremony will be in English, both of you must understand English.

If either of you was married before, MCL 551.5 bars a new marriage while a former spouse is living unless the earlier marriage was dissolved. None of the county pages checked asks for a divorce decree, but keep the date and county of your divorce handy, and call your clerk if you are unsure what to bring.

How Much Does a Michigan Marriage License Cost?

MCL 551.103 sets a $20.00 fee, paid to the county. The county must send $15.00 of every fee to the circuit court for family counseling services, including domestic violence and child abuse services. If both of you live outside Michigan, the statute adds $10.00, for a total of $30.

Three other rules can change what you pay:

• Hardship waiver. A probate court may order the fee waived for undue hardship (MCL 551.103).
• Wayne County's own fee. A charter county with more than 1,500,000 people may set a different fee by ordinance, as long as it does not exceed the cost of the service (MCL 551.103(3)). Wayne County charges $30 and $40.
• Waiting-period waiver. Each county board of commissioners sets the fee for releasing the license early (MCL 551.103a).

Here is what the five largest county clerks list. Fees change, and the county clerk's own page is the final word.

Payment rules differ. Wayne takes cash, money orders and debit or credit cards but not personal checks. Oakland takes Discover, Mastercard, Visa, cash and money orders, also no personal checks. Macomb accepts cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and Discover, and charges a $20 reprint fee if a license has to be reissued because of an applicant's error. Genesee accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, business checks and cards at the counter (cards carry a service fee and the cardholder must be present with ID), and only checks or money orders by mail.

Michigan law does not give a discount for premarital counseling. Neither the Chapter 551 sections nor the county pages checked for this article offer one.

Is There a Waiting Period in Michigan?

Yes. MCL 551.103a says: "A marriage license shall not be delivered within a period of 3 days including the date of application." Oakland County's published schedule shows how this works in practice: apply on Monday, pick up on or after Thursday. Kent County's page tells couples to "wait 3 days after you apply before picking up your license."

Macomb County's page says the 3 days do not include the application day. The statute says they do, so ask your clerk which day your license will be ready.

Waiving the 3-day wait

The same section lets the clerk deliver the license immediately "for good and sufficient cause shown" once you pay a fee set by the county board of commissioners. Oakland charges $5 and Macomb charges $10. Kent lists no waiver on its page. Oakland adds a catch: if you waive the wait, its license expires in 30 days instead of 33.

How Long Is a Michigan Marriage License Valid?

The clock runs from the day you apply, not the day you pick up the license. MCL 551.103a: "A marriage license issued is void unless a marriage is solemnized under the license within 33 days after the application."

County pages do not all match the statute. Oakland and Kent say 33 days (Oakland says 30 if you waived the wait). Genesee County's page says the wedding must happen "within 30 days from the date of application." The statute controls, but if your county prints a shorter period on your license, the safest course is to marry inside the shorter window or ask the clerk before your date.

If the license expires, you will need to apply for a new one.

Age Requirements: Michigan Bans Marriage Under 18

The minimum age is 18, and there is no exception for parental consent, a court order, pregnancy or emancipation. MCL 551.51(1), as amended by 2023 PA 71 effective September 19, 2023, reads:

"A marriage in this state shall not be contracted by an individual who is under 18 years of age. A marriage, if entered into in this state by an individual under 18 years of age, is void."

MCL 551.103(1) says the same thing at the licensing stage: only an individual 18 or older may contract marriage. That section was last amended by 2023 PA 121, also effective September 19, 2023. A clerk can ask either of you for proof of age before issuing the license.

Who Cannot Marry in Michigan

Close relatives. MCL 551.3 lists the women a man may not marry: his mother, sister, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, stepmother, grandfather's wife, son's wife, grandson's wife, his wife's mother, grandmother, daughter or granddaughter, his brother's or sister's daughter, his father's or mother's sister, or a "cousin of the first degree." MCL 551.4 is the mirror-image list for a woman. That means first cousins cannot marry in Michigan.

A living spouse. Under MCL 551.5, no one may marry while a former husband or wife is living unless the earlier marriage was dissolved.

Same-sex couples. Several Chapter 551 sections still describe marriage as between a man and a woman (MCL 551.2) and list "another man" or "another woman" among prohibited marriages (MCL 551.3, 551.4). The US Supreme Court held in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015), that "same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry," and that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license same-sex marriages, whatever older statutory text still says. House Bill 4619 of 2025 would make MCL 551.101 gender neutral. It is pending and not law.

Divorce waiting periods. The Chapter 551 sections checked for this article set no waiting period before a divorced person can remarry. MCL 552.9f, which sets a 60-day or 6-month wait in divorce cases, governs when a court can take testimony in the divorce itself, not remarriage. If you are unsure whether anything delays your remarriage, ask a Michigan lawyer. Our guide to Michigan divorce laws covers the divorce process.

Blood Tests and Medical Requirements

Michigan does not require a blood test to get a marriage license. The licensing sections of Chapter 551 (MCL 551.101 through 551.105 and 551.103a) contain no medical requirement, and none of the five county clerk pages checked asks for one.

One health step is required: under MCL 333.5119, the county clerk gives each applicant written materials on prenatal care and on sexually transmitted infection and HIV, including where testing is available, and will not issue the license unless the application includes a signed check-off confirming you received them. Being tested is not required.

Who Can Perform a Marriage in Michigan

MCL 551.7 lists who may solemnize a marriage:

• A district judge or district court magistrate.
• A municipal judge, within a limited area.
• A probate judge.
• A federal judge.
• The mayor of a city, anywhere in the county where that city sits.
• A county clerk, in that clerk's county, or in another county with written authorization. In a county of more than 1,500,000 people, a clerk employee designated by the clerk may also officiate.
• A minister of the gospel, cleric or religious practitioner who is ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination, anywhere in Michigan. A minister who lives in another state qualifies if authorized under the laws of that state.

Mayors and county clerks may charge a fee set locally (MCL 551.7(3) and (4)). Kent County lists courthouse weddings that couples can schedule; check your county for availability and cost.

Michigan does not license officiants. Genesee County's clerk states: "Michigan State law does not require individuals who solemnize marriages to be registered with the county or the state."

What about ministers ordained online? MCL 551.7 does not mention online ordination; it asks only whether the person is ordained or authorized according to the usages of the denomination. No official Michigan source checked for this article addresses online ordination directly. If your officiant was ordained online, ask the county clerk before the wedding.

Witnesses and the ceremony

MCL 551.9 requires at least 2 witnesses present at the ceremony, besides the officiant. Both witnesses must be 18 or older (MCL 551.103(2)). No particular form of words is required, but the couple must "solemnly declare, in the presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and the attending witnesses," that they take each other as spouses.

Because the statute requires both of you to make that declaration in front of the officiant and witnesses, Michigan has no self-uniting option. The Chapter 551 sections checked do not mention proxy marriage.

Senate Bills 285 and 286 of 2025 would let civil celebrants solemnize marriages. Both passed the Senate on June 10, 2025 and are in the House Committee on Government Operations. Neither is law.

After the Ceremony: Returning the License and Getting a Copy

The officiant completes the marriage certificate, including the time and place of the ceremony and the names and residences of the 2 witnesses. Under MCL 551.104, the officiant gives the duplicate to one of you and must "within 10 days return the original to the county clerk issuing the same." The clerk records it and sends it on to the state registrar.

Kent County asks that licenses come back within 10 days to its office at 300 Monroe Ave NW in Grand Rapids. Genesee County provides a mailing envelope with the license.

For a certified copy, which agencies such as the Social Security Administration ask for when you change your name, order from the county clerk once the record is filed:

• Wayne County: $24 for the first certified copy and $7 for each additional copy.
• Genesee County: wait at least two weeks after the ceremony before requesting copies, which you can order through the county's online portal.

Mistakes found after the certificate is filed are harder to fix. Macomb County says corrections at that point need a court order, so check the names and dates on the certificate before it goes back to the clerk.

Our guide to Michigan marriage and divorce records explains how to order copies later. If you are changing your surname, the Social Security Administration asks you to wait at least 30 days after the wedding before requesting a new card; see name change after marriage and Michigan name change laws.

Pending Michigan Marriage Bills (2025-2026 Session)

Three bills filed in 2025 would change parts of this page if they pass. As of October 7, 2026, none has become law:

• House Bill 4710 would increase the marriage license fee and earmark it. It was introduced on July 1, 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, with no later action.
• House Bill 4619 would make MCL 551.101 gender neutral.
• Senate Bills 285 and 286 would add civil celebrants as officiants. They passed the Senate on June 10, 2025 and were referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.

Common Misconceptions

• "Michigan allows marriage under 18 with parental or court consent." Not since September 19, 2023. MCL 551.51 makes any marriage entered in Michigan by someone under 18 void.
• "You must marry in the county that issued your license." Residents can marry anywhere in Michigan, according to Macomb and Genesee counties. Couples who both live out of state apply in the county where the wedding will be held.
• "The license lasts 30 days." The statute says 33 days from the application date. Some county pages still say 30, and Oakland shortens it to 30 if you waive the wait.
• "The fee is $20 everywhere." Wayne County charges $30 or $40, and every county charges more when both of you live out of state.
• "The 3-day wait can't be waived." It can, for good cause, on payment of a county-set fee (MCL 551.103a).

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about marriage licenses under Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws and the published procedures of the Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Genesee county clerks, verified on October 7, 2026. It is not legal advice. Fees and procedures change, so confirm with the county clerk where you will apply, and consult a lawyer licensed in Michigan about your specific situation.

Related

• Marriage license requirements by state
• Michigan marriage and divorce records
• Michigan common-law marriage
• Michigan name change laws
• Ohio marriage license requirements

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a marriage license in Michigan?

The statutory fee is $20, plus $10 if both of you live outside Michigan (MCL 551.103). Wayne County sets its own fee: $30 if at least one of you lives in Wayne County and $40 if both of you live out of state.

How long do you have to wait to get married in Michigan?

The license cannot be delivered within 3 days, counting the application date (MCL 551.103a). The clerk may release it sooner for good cause on payment of a county-set fee, such as $5 in Oakland County or $10 in Macomb County.

How long is a Michigan marriage license good for?

The license is void unless you marry within 33 days after the date you applied (MCL 551.103a). Genesee County's page says 30 days, and Oakland County says 30 days if you waived the wait, so check what your county prints on the license.

Can you get married in Michigan if you are 17?

No. Since September 19, 2023, a marriage entered in Michigan by anyone under 18 is void, and there is no parental or court consent exception (MCL 551.51).

Do both people have to be present to apply for a marriage license in Michigan?

It depends on the county. Genesee County says only one applicant needs to be present and accepts mailed applications with a notarized affidavit, and Oakland County lets one person pick up the license with copies of the other's ID.

Can we get a license in one Michigan county and marry in another?

Yes, if at least one of you lives in Michigan; Macomb and Genesee counties say a resident's license is good anywhere in the state. If neither of you lives in Michigan, apply in the county where the wedding will take place (MCL 551.101).

Can first cousins marry in Michigan?

No. MCL 551.3 and 551.4 bar marriage to a cousin of the first degree.

Does Michigan require a blood test for a marriage license?

No. The licensing sections of Chapter 551 contain no blood test or medical exam requirement, and the county clerks checked do not ask for one.

Do Michigan wedding officiants have to register?

No. Genesee County's clerk states that Michigan law does not require people who solemnize marriages to register with the county or the state. The officiant must be on the MCL 551.7 list, which includes ministers ordained or authorized under their denomination's usages.

How many witnesses do you need to get married in Michigan?

At least 2 witnesses besides the officiant (MCL 551.9), and both must be 18 or older (MCL 551.103(2)).

Who returns the marriage license in Michigan, and when?

The officiant returns the original certificate to the county clerk that issued the license within 10 days after the ceremony and gives the duplicate to one of the spouses (MCL 551.104).