how to get married in michigan

How do you even begin the process of getting married in Michigan? 

It's a question I hear time and time again, Nichole I don't even know where to begin! 

Well let's start at the beginning of how to get married legally in the state of Michigan. Hi, I'm Nichole, owner of A Simple I Do Wedding Officiants and were a group of legally ordained wedding officiants/ministers who serve all couples in southeast Michigan. We concentrate on small intimate weddings - we'll meet you at a local cafe to sign your license and make it legal or at a park or venue - the key is keeping it simple, stress free and all about your love. 

To get legally married in the state of Michigan, you need to follow these steps:

Apply for a marriage license: The first step to getting legally married in Michigan is to apply for a marriage license at a County Clerk's office. You and your partner must appear in person to complete the application, and you'll need to bring your government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your social security numbers. The fee for a marriage license varies by county.

Wait for the waiting period: In Michigan, there is a three-day waiting period after you apply for a marriage license. This means that you cannot get married until at least three days after you apply for the license. However, some counties may waive the waiting period for an additional fee.
Have a ceremony: You and your partner must have a ceremony to get legally married. The ceremony can be performed by a judge, a magistrate, a county clerk, a mayor, or a member of the clergy. You'll need to have two witnesses present during the ceremony.

File the marriage license: After the ceremony, the person who performed the ceremony will sign your marriage license. You must then return the signed license to the County Clerk's office within 10 days of the ceremony.

Get a marriage certificate: After your signed marriage license has been received and processed by the County Clerk's office, you can obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate. You'll need this certificate to change your name and for other legal purposes.
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It's important to note that the above steps are for a standard civil marriage in Michigan. If you're planning a religious ceremony, you may need to meet additional requirements. Additionally, Michigan does not recognize common law marriage, so you must have a ceremony to be legally married.