How to Find Michigan Marriage Records

United States US Vital Records How to Find United States Marriages Michigan Vital Records Michigan Marriages

Finding Michigan Marriage Records

• 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

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1820 1820 to 1867 1868 to Present Marriage year unknown

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

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1820 to 1867

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1820-1935	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years; Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.		371,310

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1822-1995	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		1,908,148
Ancestry, Marriages, to 1850	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	13,881
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1875	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	51,913

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of 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 FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog 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 FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1868 to Present

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes and Digital Images
Database Name - Index and Image	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1820-1935	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years; 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.		371,310
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1868-1925	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years; Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.		371,310

If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:
Database Name-Index Only	Link or links to access database		# of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1822-1995	On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years		1,908,148
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1875	Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers	$, Use your own Ancestry subscription	51,913

Can't access Ancestry?	Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?	Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Search other records with marriage information.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:

PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee 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	Expedited service available through VitalChek	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

OR

• View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:

Some images of 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 FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

• Search the FamilySearch Catalog 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 FamilySearch Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

• 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

• Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952($)
• Michigan marriage records, 1870-1887($)

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