An Oakland County marriage license costs $20 for Michigan residents ($30 if both applicants live out of state), and both partners must appear together at the Clerk’s Office in Pontiac or Troy with valid ID. Michigan law then requires a three-day waiting period before the clerk hands over the license, and once issued it stays valid for 33 days.
Who Can Apply
Both applicants must be at least 18. Michigan raised its minimum marriage age to 18 in 2023 and no longer allows minors to marry with parental or judicial consent.1Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Gov. Whitmer Signs Final Bill in Package Protecting Children, Officially Banning Child Marriage in Michigan2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 551.103 – Persons Capable of Contracting Marriage
Where you file depends on residency. If at least one of you lives in Michigan, you apply in that person’s county of residence. If neither of you is a Michigan resident but you plan to hold the ceremony in Oakland County, you apply directly with the Oakland County Clerk.
What to Bring
Each applicant needs to prove identity, age, and (for residents) Michigan residency:
- A government-issued photo ID. A Michigan driver’s license or state ID with your current address is the simplest option. A U.S. passport proves identity and age but not residency, so you may need a second document.
- A birth certificate. Copies are accepted. If you use a passport instead, you must separately supply your parents’ full names and their birthplaces.
- Your Social Security number. You don’t need the physical card. The number is kept confidential and does not appear on the public record.
If either applicant has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce judgment, or a death certificate if a prior spouse has died. Michigan requires proof that any earlier marriage was legally ended before it will issue a new license.3Oakland County, MI. Marriage License
Fees
The license fee is $20 per couple when at least one applicant is a Michigan resident, and $30 when both applicants live out of state.4Oakland County, Michigan. Vital Records Management System – Confirmation The Clerk accepts cash, Visa, and MasterCard. Credit card payments may carry a small processing surcharge.3Oakland County, MI. Marriage License
Where and How to Apply
Oakland County runs two Clerk’s Office locations for marriage license service, and they operate differently:
- Pontiac: 1200 North Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment needed.
- Troy: Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointment required.
Start with the county’s online application portal before your visit. The form collects your identification details and parental information so the clerk can review everything in advance, which shortens the counter appointment considerably.3Oakland County, MI. Marriage License Both applicants must show up together in person. The clerk will not issue a license if only one of you appears.
The Three-Day Waiting Period
Michigan law requires three days between the application date and the date the clerk can release the license. The application day itself counts, so a Monday application means the earliest pickup is Wednesday.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 551.103a – Marriage License; Time of Delivery; Solemnization of Marriage Required
The clerk can waive the waiting period and release the license the same day if you show good cause. When a waiver is granted, you pay an additional fee set by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on top of the standard license fee.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 551.103a – Marriage License; Time of Delivery; Solemnization of Marriage Required Destination-wedding timelines and military deployments are the most common grounds.
How Long the License Is Good For
Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days from the application date. If the ceremony doesn’t happen within that window, the license expires and you’ll have to reapply and pay the fee again.2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 551.103 – Persons Capable of Contracting Marriage
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Michigan authorizes a wide range of officiants: district court judges, probate judges, federal judges, district court magistrates, mayors (within the county where their city sits), county clerks, and ordained or authorized ministers and religious practitioners.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Code 551.7 – Persons Authorized to Solemnize Marriage A friend ordained online through a recognized religious organization fits under the minister provision, and many couples go this route.
Returning the Signed License
After the ceremony, the officiant and both witnesses sign the license. The completed original must be returned to the Oakland County Clerk’s Office within 10 days of the wedding.7Michigan Courts. Records You can drop it off at either the Pontiac or Troy office, or mail it to Pontiac. Until the clerk receives and records the signed license, the marriage is not part of the official public record, which can cause problems later with insurance, name changes, and property transactions.
Getting Certified Copies
After the clerk records the marriage, you can order certified copies of the marriage certificate. Banks, insurers, the Social Security Administration, and the State Department all require certified copies rather than photocopies for name changes and spousal benefit claims.
Oakland County charges $15 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.8Oakland County, MI. Marriage Records Ordering two or three extras at once is cheaper than coming back later and paying the first-copy fee again. Most couples need at least two.