Marriage License
Age Requirements | Birth Certificates |
Where To Apply
Application Fee | Waiting Period
| Obtain a Copy of a Marriage
License
Age Requirements
The age for getting married is 18 without parental consent and
16 with parental consent. Parents must appear with their identification with
16 or 17 year old applicants. Custodial Parents must appear and bring proof
of custody.
NOTE: THE REQUIREMENT FOR PREMARITAL COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS APPLYING
FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED.
Applicants will be provided with written educational material by the Wayne County
Clerk regarding prenatal care and the transmission and prevention of HIV and other
sexually transmitted diseases.
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Birth Certificates
Every Person must present a CERTIFIED COPY [WITH SEAL]
of their birth certificate registration with parental information. Hospital certificates
nor baptismal certificates will not be accepted.
NOTE: ALL FOREIGN BIRTH CERTIFICATES MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH
BY A CERTIFIED TRANSLATOR TO BE ACCEPTED.
A NOTARY OTHER THAN THE TRANSLATOR MUST NOTARIZE THE TRANSLATOR'S SIGNATURE.
Where To Apply
It is necessary to obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk
of the county in which either applicant resides. Only Wayne County residents
can apply here. If both parties are non-residents of Michigan, the
applicants must apply in the county in which the marriage is to be performed.
At least one of the parties must appear in person to apply. You may apply at the
main office or one of our satellite offices.
Application Fee
You must pay in cash when you apply. The fee is $23.00 if
one or both is a Wayne County Resident or $33.00 if both parties are out of state
residents. We do not accept personal checks.
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Waiting Period
There is a three-day waiting period after the application before
the license may be issued and used. A marriage license is void unless the
Marriage is solemnized within 33 days from the date of application. To waive
the three-day waiting period, an applicant must pay an additional $5.00. DO NOT APPLY
MORE THAN 33 DAYS NOR LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS FROM YOUR WEDDING DATE.
The License is valid only in the State of Michigan.
To Obtain A Copy Of A Marriage License
Copies of Marriage Licenses may be obtained online, in person
or by writing to the Wayne County Clerk, Marriage Certification Dept., 201 Coleman
A. Young Municipal Center, Detroit, MI 48226. One certified copy of a marriage
license is $22.00 and $7.00 for each additional copy purchased at the same time.
Marriage License search (uncertified copy) $11.50 for years 1937 to present, before
1937 - $11.50 for each 3 year interval. Personal Checks are not accepted. Click
here for the Marriage Certificate Order Form
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Marriage Ceremonies
If you would like, the Wayne County Clerks Office can perform
your marriage. we have mass ceremonies available for $50.00 and Private Ceremonies
available for $150. For further information, or to reserver a time, please call
(313)224-5515.
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