How to Find Michigan Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find Michigan Marriage Records

Finding Michigan Marriage Records

• 1805 Michigan laws required counties to record marriages
• 1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state
• An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance
• Michigan marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone for any time period

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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Marriage Records

Choose a time period:

• Marriages before 1820
• Marriages between 1805 to 1867
• Marriages between 1867 to 1925
• Marriages between 1926 to 1935
• Marriages 1936 to Present
• Marriage year unknown

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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1820

• Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
• 1805 to 1820 very few records exist

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

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Marriages 1820 to 1867

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1867	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?	Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1868 to 1925

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925	Free; most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
Try 2nd:
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1868-1925	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1926-1935	Free; most counties 1925-1936: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
Try 2nd:
	County Clerk	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
	Michigan Department of Health	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the Michigan Department of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Michigan Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present

Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

PART A: You know the county where the marriage occurred

With an exact marriage county, copies may be ordered for a fee from the county clerk.  Some counties may add an extra charge to search for a marriage without an exact date.

PART B: You don't know the county where the marriage occurred

Copies may be ordered from the Michigan Department of Public Health.

The Department of Health with do a search of the statewide index (1867 to the present) for an exact year. Each additional year searched requires an extra fee.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County of Birth		From MI Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the statewide index  when you are unsure of the marriage county	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

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Wiki Articles

• United States Record Selection Table
• United States, How to Use Marriage Records
• United States Marriage Records
• United States Vital Records
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• Locating United States Vital Records
• Michigan Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues

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