Access Westland Marriage Records
Marriage records for Westland residents are managed by the Wayne County Clerk's Office in Detroit. Westland is a Wayne County city in the western suburbs of Detroit, and all marriage licenses and certified copies for Westland residents are issued and kept by the county clerk rather than the city.
Westland Overview
Where to Get Westland Marriage Records
Westland City Hall at 36601 Ford Rd handles city government functions including local permits, water service, and elections. The city clerk there does not issue marriage licenses or maintain vital records. For marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records, Westland residents go to the Wayne County Clerk's Office in downtown Detroit.
| Office | Wayne County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 Monroe St., Suite 610 Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Phone | (313) 224-0272 |
| Website | waynecounty.com - Marriage Licenses |
| Online Application | Wayne County Online Marriage Application |
| Westland City Clerk | 36601 Ford Rd, Westland, MI 48185 | (734) 713-3890 |
Westland is about 18 miles from the Wayne County Clerk's Office in Detroit. Take I-96 east toward downtown. The office is in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on the sixth floor. Parking can be found in the nearby city-owned garages. Call (313) 224-0272 to verify current hours. The office tends to be busier later in the week, so plan your visit for Tuesday or Wednesday if possible.
How to Search Westland Marriage Records
Marriage records for Westland are part of the Wayne County records system. You can search for these records in a few different ways, depending on what you need and how old the record is.
For in-person searches, the Wayne County Clerk at 400 Monroe St. in Detroit is the primary option. Staff can search records by name and approximate year. Bring your photo ID and as much information as you have about the record you need. The clerk can confirm whether a record exists and issue a certified copy on the same visit. In-person requests are the most reliable way to get what you need quickly.
Wayne County also has an online pre-application at evitals.waynecounty.com. This lets you fill out the application form online before your office visit. It does not complete the process on its own. Both applicants still have to appear in person. But filling out the form online in advance speeds things up at the counter. The system saves your application and the clerk can pull it up when you arrive.
For historical records, Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized Michigan vital records going back to the 1800s. The Library of Michigan runs this service and it covers Wayne County records. If you are looking for records from the early to mid-1900s or earlier, this database is worth checking before you make a trip to Detroit. The screenshot below shows the Michiganology search interface.
The Michiganology database is a free resource for finding historical Michigan marriage records, including older Wayne County records that may relate to Westland residents and their families.
Marriage License Requirements
Michigan requires both people getting married to appear in person at the county clerk's office. You cannot do this by mail or by sending a representative. Michigan law under MCL 551.101 is clear on this. Both applicants must go to the Wayne County Clerk together. Plan a trip to the Detroit office before your wedding date.
Each person getting a marriage license in Wayne County must bring:
- A valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport
- Proof of birth date such as a birth certificate or passport
- Social Security number
- Final divorce decree if either person has been divorced
- Death certificate if a prior spouse has died
Wayne County residents pay $30 for a marriage license. After you apply, there is a 3-day waiting period under MCL 551.103 before the license is ready. Once you have the license, it stays valid for 33 days. Get married within that period or you will need to start over. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need written parental consent. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Michigan.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
You need a certified copy of your marriage record for legal tasks like changing your name with the Social Security Administration, updating your passport, or handling estate matters. A plain copy will not work for these purposes. The Wayne County Clerk issues certified copies for all Wayne County marriages, including Westland records.
You can request certified copies in person at the Detroit office or by mail. To order online or by mail through the state, use VitalChek, which is the MDHHS-authorized vendor for Michigan vital records. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Mail orders typically take one to two weeks to arrive. If you need it faster, an in-person request at the Wayne County Clerk is the better option.
The screenshot below shows the VitalChek ordering page for Michigan certified marriage records.
Westland residents can order certified copies of their Michigan marriage records through VitalChek online and have them delivered by mail without a trip to the Wayne County Clerk in Detroit.
Michigan Marriage Law and Record Access
Michigan marriage law is set out in MCL Chapter 551. Under MCL 551.101, both parties must be at least 18 to marry without consent, and both must appear in person to apply for a license. The 3-day waiting period under MCL 551.103 applies to all Michigan counties. Once the ceremony is performed, the officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days so it becomes an official record on file.
Access to marriage records in Michigan is restricted under MCL 333.2882. Records less than 75 years old are not open to the public. Only the people named in the record, their immediate family members, legal representatives, or people with a legitimate need can request certified copies. For records older than 75 years, the records are considered public and can be accessed through the county clerk or historical databases like Michiganology.
Wayne County Marriage Records
Westland is in Wayne County. Marriage licenses and certified copies are handled by the Wayne County Clerk's Office. The county page has all the details on fees, hours, office location in Detroit, and how to request records by mail or online.
Nearby Cities
Other Wayne County communities near Westland also use the Wayne County Clerk for marriage records.