Lansing Marriage Records Search
Lansing marriage records are handled by the Ingham County Clerk's Office, which maintains all marriage licenses and certified copies for Lansing and the surrounding county. Lansing is Michigan's state capital with about 110,000 residents, and the Ingham County Clerk office at 313 W. Kalamazoo Street is where city residents go for marriage license applications and certified certificate copies.
Lansing Overview
Where to Get Lansing Marriage Records
The Ingham County Clerk's Office at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse is the right place for all Lansing marriage records. The Lansing City Clerk at 124 W Michigan Ave handles city functions but refers all vital records to the state or the county. Don't go to City Hall for a marriage certificate. Go to 313 W. Kalamazoo, which is the Veterans Memorial Courthouse building in downtown Lansing.
| Office | Ingham County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 313 West Kalamazoo Street Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Phone | (517) 483-6424 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM for lunch |
| Website | clerk.ingham.org - Vital Records |
| State Vital Records | Michigan Office of Vital Records Phone: (517) 335-8666 |
The Ingham County Clerk also performs civil marriage ceremonies in the office. Clerk Byrum performs ceremonies by appointment. If you want a civil ceremony after getting your license, contact the clerk's office to schedule a time. This is a convenient option since you're already at the courthouse to pick up the license.
Online application for marriage licenses is available at clerk.ingham.org. You can start the process from home, but both parties still need to appear in person to complete the application and pick up the license after the 3-day waiting period.
The screenshot below shows the City of Lansing website, which provides city services information and directs residents to the county for vital records.
City of Lansing official website
The city site helps Lansing residents find the right office for vital records and other county-level services.
How to Search Lansing Marriage Records
Marriage records for Lansing can be searched through Ingham County and through the state MDHHS system. Because Lansing is the state capital, both resources are easy to access from the city. The MDHHS vital records office is nearby at the state level, and the county clerk is in the same downtown area.
For in-person searches, go to the Ingham County Clerk at 313 W. Kalamazoo. Staff can look up records by name and year. Bring a valid photo ID and the full names of both spouses. If you know the approximate marriage date, that speeds up the search. Certified copies are available while you wait when the office isn't too busy.
The MDHHS vital records office is the statewide resource for all Michigan marriages from 1867 forward. You can reach them at (517) 335-8666. For online ordering, use VitalChek, which processes MDHHS certified copy orders by credit card and ships copies by mail. The state site at michigan.gov explains the ordering process in detail.
For historical research, the Michiganology database has digitized indexes of older Michigan vital records including Ingham County marriages. This is a good resource for records from the 1800s and early 1900s. The Michigan State Archives, also in Lansing, holds older records that aren't in the MDHHS system. As the state capital, Lansing is home to several record repositories that aren't available in other Michigan cities.
Marriage License Requirements in Lansing
Lansing residents apply for marriage licenses at the Ingham County Clerk's Office at 313 W. Kalamazoo Street. Both parties must appear in person to complete the application. You can start online at clerk.ingham.org, but you have to come in for the final steps.
Documents required for both applicants:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Certified birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Certified divorce decree if either party was previously married
- Death certificate if a prior spouse has passed away
The fee at Ingham County is $20. Michigan law requires a 3-day waiting period under MCL 551.103 before the license is issued. Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days. Use it within 33 days or the license expires and you have to apply again. Both applicants must be 18 or older to apply without parental consent. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or guardian.
The office is closed for lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM daily. Plan your visit accordingly. If you need a civil ceremony performed by the clerk after picking up your license, ask the office staff about scheduling when you apply. Clerk Byrum performs ceremonies in the office by appointment.
Note that Lansing also extends into parts of Eaton and Clinton counties. If your address is near a county border, confirm with the clerk's office that your residence falls within Ingham County jurisdiction before making the trip. Most Lansing city addresses are in Ingham County.
Getting Certified Copies of Lansing Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of marriage certificates are official legal documents. You need them for name changes, government documents, insurance, and immigration paperwork. Lansing residents can get certified copies from Ingham County or from the Michigan vital records office.
In-person requests at Ingham County are the fastest option. Go to 313 W. Kalamazoo and bring your photo ID. Know the full names and approximate marriage date. Staff prepare certified copies while you wait when possible. The state fee is $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Call (517) 483-6424 or visit clerk.ingham.org to confirm current Ingham County fees before your visit.
The Michigan Office of Vital Records at (517) 335-8666 can also issue certified copies for Lansing marriages. Being the state capital has an advantage here: the MDHHS office is accessible from Lansing in a way it isn't for residents of other cities. Online orders through VitalChek at vitalchek.com are available for those who prefer to order by credit card and have copies mailed.
Lansing as State Capital: Extra Resources
As the state capital, Lansing has access to state-level record resources that aren't available in other Michigan cities. The Michigan State Archives and the Library of Michigan are both in Lansing. These institutions hold historical and genealogical records going back to the territory era.
The Library of Michigan runs the Michiganology database, which holds digitized older vital records for all Michigan counties. Since the library is in Lansing, researchers can visit in person and access materials that aren't available online. Staff genealogists can help you locate older marriage records that predate the MDHHS system or that haven't been fully digitized.
The Michigan State Archives, also in Lansing, holds county records that have been transferred for preservation. If you need a marriage record from before 1867 or from the territorial period, the archives are the right place to look. Access is by appointment and the archives are open to researchers during business hours.
For Ingham County specifically, the Michiganology database includes marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s for the county. This resource is free and searchable online. It's a good starting point for genealogy research involving families who lived in the Lansing area before the 20th century.
Ingham County Marriage Records
Lansing is in Ingham County. Marriage licenses and certified copies are handled by the Ingham County Clerk. For full details on the county office, fees, and resources, visit the Ingham County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Lansing with their own marriage records pages: