Apply For... Marriage License

Marriage Requirements:

An individual that is 18 years of age or older may contract marriage in Michigan. (MCL 551.103 and MCL 551.51)

For purposes of marriage application, residency is determined by a current valid driver's license/state-issued ID. If one or both persons are a Michigan resident, they apply in the county where either applicant lives. This license is valid throughout the state. Either one or both persons may apply for a marriage license in person.

If both persons are out-of-state residents, they must apply in the county where they plan to be married, as the license is valid in that county only. Please contact the Leelanau County Clerk's office to make arrangements by calling 231-256-9824 or emailing us at clerk@leelanau.gov. If one or both applicants are Leelanau County residents you will apply in Leelanau County and an application worksheet can be emailed to you to help prep for the application process.

The following is required at the time of application:

Current driver's license/state-issued ID showing correct address (can be a photo if not present at the time of applying and one ID is required for notarization purposes)
Social Security proof such as each applicants Social Security card or a W-2 (can be a photo to match the drivers license/state-issued ID)

Other required information includes:

Full name of each person
Birth dates and place of birth (city & State)
Complete street address
The Social Security Number for each person
How many times previously married
The following information is needed for each set of parents - current full name of each parent (living or deceased), including the surname at birth and the birthplace

Fee per couple: $20.00 for Leelanau County residents; $30.00 for out-of-state residents.

The marriage license becomes valid on the third day following application and is good for 30 days. The license must be picked up by at least one of the two parties to be married, no exceptions. It may be picked up a follows:

Apply on Monday, pick up on Thursday
Apply on Tuesday, pick up on Friday
Apply on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, pick up on the following Monday

The license is not available for pick up on weekends or legal holidays. The marriage must be solemnized within 33 days of application.

In the event one of the individuals would like to assume the new spouse's last name, the Social Security Administration and some states require a certified copy of the executed license. If you would like to prepay for a certified copy, the cost for one certified is $10.00 and $5.00 for additional copies at time of purchase. A certified copy can be prepaid at time of application.

Due to changes in State law, the County Clerk may now perform marriages. The fee for this service is $25.00. If you are interested in having the Clerk, Michelle L. Crocker, perform your ceremony, please call the Clerk's Office at 231-256-9824 or by emailing clerk@leelanau.gov.

This page last updated on 8/7/2023.