Marriage License Requirements in Michigan
Michigan has some of the lowest marriage license fees in the country, and its 33-day validity window is shorter than most states — don’t apply too far ahead of your wedding date. Requirements below apply statewide; fees are set by each county.
| Minimum age to marry | 18 without consent. Ages 16–17 require notarized written parental or guardian consent. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days after application, waivable by the county clerk “for good and sufficient cause shown.” |
| License validity | 33 days from the date of application, usable anywhere in the state. |
| Blood test required | No |
| Documents you’ll need | A valid driver’s license or state ID showing current address, plus Social Security numbers, birth certificate, or passport for both applicants. |
What a Michigan marriage license typically costs
Michigan is consistently one of the cheapest states we’ve researched: $20 if both applicants are Michigan residents, $30 if either applicant is not — the same schedule across every Michigan county we’ve checked so far.
Counties we cover in Michigan
Requirements above are set by Michigan state law and apply the same way in every county. The fee, hours, and exact application process are set locally — select your county above for those specifics.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Michigan marriage license cost?
$20 if both applicants are Michigan residents, $30 if either one isn’t — among the lowest fees of any state we’ve researched, and consistent across the Michigan counties we’ve checked.
How long is a Michigan marriage license valid?
Only 33 days from the date of application — shorter than most states, so don’t apply too far ahead of your wedding date. It’s usable for a ceremony anywhere in Michigan, not just the issuing county.
Can we skip Michigan’s 3-day waiting period?
Possibly — the county clerk can waive it “for good and sufficient cause shown,” but this is discretionary rather than an automatic option like a premarital course discount in some other states.
Is a blood test required to get married in Michigan?
No. Michigan does not require a blood test or medical exam to obtain a marriage license.
See how Michigan’s fees compare to other states → Getting married in a different county than you live in →