Clinton Township Marriage Records
Marriage records for Clinton Township residents are handled by the Macomb County Clerk's Office in Mount Clemens. Clinton Township is the largest township in Michigan with about 100,000 residents, and all marriage licenses and certified copies for the township are issued through the county clerk rather than any local township office.
Clinton Township Overview
Where to Get Marriage Records in Clinton Township
Clinton Township does not issue marriage licenses at the township level. All marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records are handled by the Macomb County Clerk's Office. The main clerk office is in Mount Clemens, the county seat. If you need a marriage license or a certified copy of an existing record, you go to the county, not the township.
| Office | Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 North Main Street Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5205 |
| Website | macombgov.org - Clerk/Register of Deeds |
| Marriage Licenses | macombgov.org - Marriage Licenses |
| Certified Copies | macombgov.org - License Copies |
The township municipal office at 40700 Romeo Plank Rd handles local government functions like property taxes and building permits. It does not handle vital records. Do not go to the township office to get a marriage license. Call the Macomb County Clerk at (586) 469-5205 to confirm hours and what documents to bring before you make the trip to Mount Clemens.
How to Search Clinton Township Marriage Records
You can search for marriage records tied to Clinton Township through the Macomb County Clerk and through the Macomb County Circuit Court. The county has kept marriage records for decades, and some records go back much further. There are a few ways to look up records depending on what you need.
For older records and genealogy research, Michiganology.org has digitized historical Michigan vital records. The site is run by the Library of Michigan and is free to use. It covers marriage records from the 1800s through the mid-1900s for many Michigan counties, including Macomb. If you are tracing family history, this is a good place to start before contacting the county clerk.
Marriage License Requirements
Clinton Township residents must apply for a marriage license at the Macomb County Clerk's Office. Both people getting married must appear in person. You cannot send one person to do it for both of you. Michigan law requires this under MCL 551.101. Plan to set aside about an hour for the visit.
To get a marriage license in Macomb County, each applicant must bring:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Proof of age (birth certificate or passport)
- Social Security number (you do not need to bring a card, just know the number)
- Divorce decree if either person was previously married
- Death certificate if a prior spouse has passed away
The fee for a marriage license in Macomb County is $20 for Michigan residents. After you apply, Michigan law requires a 3-day waiting period before the license is issued. This wait is set by MCL 551.103. Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days. You must use it within that window or you will need to reapply and pay again.
Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old need written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Anyone under 16 cannot get a marriage license in Michigan. The minimum age to marry without parental consent is 18.
Getting Certified Copies
If you need a certified copy of a marriage record, you request it from the Macomb County Clerk. Certified copies are used for legal purposes like changing your name, updating a passport, or handling an estate. A plain copy will not work for these purposes. You need the official certified version with the clerk's seal.
You can request certified copies in person at the Mount Clemens office or by mail. The Macomb County Clerk's website at macombgov.org has a mail request form and instructions. For mail requests, include a completed form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also holds certified copies and charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can order through MDHHS via VitalChek.
The screenshot below shows the VitalChek ordering page for Michigan marriage records.
VitalChek is the state-authorized vendor for ordering certified copies of Michigan vital records online, including marriage records for Macomb County residents.
Historical Marriage Records
Macomb County has kept marriage records since the 1800s. For genealogy research or older records not in the online systems, the county clerk can assist with searches going back many years. The Library of Michigan at Michiganology.org has digitized historical records that can be searched free online. These older records may show maiden names, witnesses, and officiants that do not appear in modern digital indexes.
The screenshot below shows the Michiganology vital records search page.
Michiganology is a free resource maintained by the Library of Michigan and is one of the best tools for finding historical marriage records throughout the state.
Macomb County Marriage Records
Clinton Township is in Macomb County. Marriage licenses and certified copies are handled by the Macomb County Clerk's Office. The county page has full details on fees, hours, office locations, and how to order records by mail or in person.
Nearby Cities
Other Macomb and Oakland County communities near Clinton Township also get marriage records through their respective county clerk offices.