How to Get a Marriage License in Michigan
Michigan marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $20 (MI residents) / $30 (non-residents) — county-collected statutory fee
- Waiting period
- 3 days (waivable by the county clerk for a $5 fee)
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
In Michigan, a marriage license is obtained through the County Clerk's office in the county where the ceremony will take place, or in the county of residence for Michigan residents. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID, a certified birth certificate, and a Social Security number. The license fee is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents; these are statutory fees collected by the county. Michigan law requires applicants to be at least 18 years old to marry without consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent, and those under 16 may marry with both parental consent and approval from a probate court. Some counties offer online application options, though the license must be picked up in person. A three-day waiting period applies after the license is issued, though county clerks may waive this requirement for an additional $5 fee. The license remains valid for 33 days.
Two witnesses aged 18 or older are required to be present at the ceremony. Because marriage license fees are set by individual counties and eligibility rules can change, applicants should confirm the exact current fee and all requirements with the County Clerk's office in their jurisdiction or the official county or state government website before applying.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Michigan |
|---|---|
| License fee | $20 (MI residents) / $30 (non-residents) — county-collected statutory fee |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | 3 days (waivable by the county clerk for a $5 fee) |
| License validity | 33 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; certified birth certificate; SSN |
| Residency required | MI residents apply in their county of residence; non-residents apply in the county of the ceremony |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent; under 16 with consent AND probate-court approval |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 2 witnesses (18+) |
| Online option | some counties offer online application; license picked up in person |
| Where to apply | County Clerk (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Michigan requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Michigan marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.