Marriage license · Free to use

Michigan marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply

What Michigan's official pages say about getting married there: the fee, the waiting period, how long the license lasts, witnesses, officiants, ID and where to apply. Each rule links its source.

By Wedding RemedyPublished October 30, 2026

Editorial standards

Michigan marriage license at a glance

Fee: $30 if one or both applicants live in Wayne County; $40 if both live outside Michigan. Waiting period: 3 days including the application date. The clerk may issue sooner for good cause, for a fee set by the county board. How long it is valid: The license is void unless the marriage is solemnized within 33 days after the application.

Michigan counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Wayne County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Michigan marriage license rules

The rules below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked October 30, 2026. Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the clerk where you apply before you rely on a rule.

Fee: $30 if one or both applicants live in Wayne County; $40 if both live outside Michigan. (Source: waynecountymi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Premarital education discount: None stated on the official pages we read. Check with your county clerk. Official page
Waiting period: 3 days including the application date. The clerk may issue sooner for good cause, for a fee set by the county board. (Source: legislature.mi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
How long the license is valid: The license is void unless the marriage is solemnized within 33 days after the application. (Source: legislature.mi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Where the license can be used: Wayne County says its license is valid only in the State of Michigan. (Source: waynecountymi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Witnesses: Witnesses sign the returned license and must be 18 or older. This section gives no number. (Source: legislature.mi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Who may officiate: Judges, district court magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ministers or clerics ordained or authorized under their denomination's usages, plus out-of-state clergy authorized by their home state. (Source: legislature.mi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Officiants ordained online: Not stated here. Ask the county clerk before you rely on an online ordination. Official page
Age: 18 or older. The clerk may ask for a birth certificate or other proof of age. (Source: legislature.mi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
ID and documents to bring: Wayne County: valid driver's license or state ID. The statute lets the clerk require a birth certificate or other proof of age. (Source: waynecountymi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Where to apply: County clerk of the county where either party lives; if both are nonresidents, the county where the wedding will be. Wayne County is by appointment. (Source: legislature.mi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Online application: Wayne County starts with an online eVitals application, then an office visit. State law lets a clerk accept the application electronically. (Source: waynecountymi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Certified copy of the marriage certificate: Wayne County charges $24 for the first certified copy and $7 for each additional copy bought at the same time. (Source: waynecountymi.gov, checked October 30, 2026)

Common questions

How much is a marriage license in Michigan?

$30 if one or both applicants live in Wayne County; $40 if both live outside Michigan. Michigan counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Wayne County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Is there a waiting period to get married in Michigan?

3 days including the application date. The clerk may issue sooner for good cause, for a fee set by the county board.

How long is a Michigan marriage license valid?

The license is void unless the marriage is solemnized within 33 days after the application.

Do you need witnesses to get married in Michigan?

Witnesses sign the returned license and must be 18 or older. This section gives no number.

Who can officiate a wedding in Michigan?

Judges, district court magistrates, mayors, county clerks, and ministers or clerics ordained or authorized under their denomination's usages, plus out-of-state clergy authorized by their home state.

How do you get a certified copy of a Michigan marriage certificate?

Wayne County charges $24 for the first certified copy and $7 for each additional copy bought at the same time.

Get new planning guides and checklists by email

Once a week, the planning guides that went live that week, and the printable wedding vendor contract checklist when you confirm. Unsubscribe from any email. Start with the printable wedding vendor contract checklist.