How to Find Michigan Marriage Records: Difference between revisions
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== Finding Michigan Marriage Records == | == Finding Michigan Marriage Records == | ||
*1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state | *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 | *An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance | ||
*In 1911 Michigan law required statewide registration of marriages | |||
*Michigan marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period | *Michigan marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period | ||
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:'''Marriage Records''' | :'''Marriage Records''' | ||
:Choose a time period: | :Choose a time period: | ||
:*'''[[How to Find | :*'''[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1820|Before 1820]]''' | ||
:*'''[[How to Find | :*'''[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Marriages_1820_to_1867|1820 to 1867]]''' | ||
:*'''[[How to Find | :*'''[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Marriages_1868_to_1925|1868 to 1925]]''' | ||
:*'''[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Marriages_1926_to_1935|1926 to 1935]]''' | |||
:*'''[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Marriages_1936_to_Present|1936 to Present]]''' | |||
:*'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]''' | :*'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]''' | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
== '''Marriages Before | == '''Marriages Before 1820''' == | ||
*Before | *Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state | ||
*1805 to 1820 very few records exist | *1805 to 1820 very few records exist | ||
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| '''2. Then search''' | | '''2. Then search''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[Michigan Church Records|Church Records]]<br> | ||
[[ | [[Michigan Newspapers|Newspapers]]<br> [[Michigan Military Records|Military Records]]<br> [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]] | ||
| [[ | | [[Michigan Census|Census Records]] | ||
[[ | [[Michigan Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]<br> [[Michigan Vital Records|Death Records]]<br> [[United States Bible Records|Bible Records]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
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<center>[[How to Find | <center>[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Finding_Michigan_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center> | ||
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== '''Marriages 1820 to 1867''' == | == '''Marriages 1820 to 1867''' == | ||
Revision as of 12:30, 27 June 2013
How To Find U.S. Marriage Records 
How To Find Michigan Marriage Records
Finding Michigan Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- 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
- In 1911 Michigan law required statewide registration of marriages
- Michigan marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period
 |
More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
| |
|---|---|---|
Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1820[edit | edit source]
- 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 |
Census Records |
Marriages 1820 to 1867[edit | edit source]
| Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try: | ||||
| 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. |
|||
Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.
- Search the FHLC by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Marriages 1868 to 1925[edit | edit source]
| 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.
| |||
| 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. |
|||
Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.
- Search the FHLC by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Marriages 1926 to 1935
[edit | edit source]
| 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. | |||
Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.
- Search the FHLC by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Marriages 1936 to Present[edit | edit source]
Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
- Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.
- Copies may be ordered from the Michigan Department of Public Health.
| To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
| From County where Marriage occurred | 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 state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
|
When ordering Michigan marriage records: |
Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. birth records
- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- 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