How to Find Michigan Marriage Records

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Revision as of 16:55, 19 November 2014 by Lynrasmussen (talk | contribs) (corrected link)

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to 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
Tip
 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]
Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


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

Newspapers
Military Records
Obituaries

Census Records

Cemetery Records
Death Records
Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1820 to 1867[edit | edit source]

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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

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[edit | edit source]

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