Fees for a Marriage License:

Marriage License:  $20.00 (One party must be a resident in Hillsdale County)

Out of State Fee:  $10.00  Additional charge - both parties are out of state residents and the marriage must take place in Hillsdale County.

Three (3) day waiver fee:  $10.00 (Not automatically allowed - only in extraordinary circumstances at discretion of the County Clerk.)

Things needed when applying for a Marriage License:

Photo Identification (Driver's License, state issued ID, or Passport)
Social Security Numbers (both of you)
Birth Certificate (if available) 

We need to know the following information (for both of you):

• Your complete names
• Dates of birth
• Complete addresses (including the County in which you reside, city and state of each applicant)
• Your parents full names (including mother's maiden name)
• States in which your parents were born
• We will ask you if you have been married before and how many times 

NOTES:
There is a three day waiting period after you apply before you can pick up your valid license.  (A three day waiver form can be obtained for special circumstances.)

 

The marriage license is valid for 30 days after the three day waiting period.  The signed license must be returned to the Clerk's office to be recorded within 10 days following your wedding.

You must apply within 33 days prior to your wedding date.

The County Clerk will provide each applicant with educational materials on prenatal care and on the transmission and prevention of venereal disease and HIV infection.

 

If both of the couple are Hillsdale County residents, they must apply in Hillsdale County for their license but may get married anywhere in the State of Michigan.  If one of the couple is a Hillsdale County resident and one is not, but both are residents of the state of Michigan, you may apply in Hillsdale County or in the county of the other, and be married anywhere in the state of Michigan.  (You must apply for your license in the county where one of you resides. And it is best if both of you go the Clerk’s office together. At the least, the resident must be present to apply for the license.) If you are both from out of state, but plan to be married in Hillsdale County, then the out of state couple must both appear at the County Clerk’s office to apply for a license.

 

Any person 16 or 17 years of age must have a custodial parent come in and sign a consent form when the parties apply for their marriage license.  Persons under 16 years of age must contact Probate Court (517-437-4643).

 

If you change your last name (example - the wife takes the husband's last name), you should also file for a name change with Social Security. The form is available when you pick up your marriage license.