Access Clare County Marriage Records
Clare County marriage records are filed with the County Clerk office at 225 W Main Street in Harrison, in central Michigan. The clerk holds marriage licenses, certificates, and historical records for all marriages recorded in Clare County. Whether you need a certified copy for legal or personal use or are researching family history, the clerk's office is the place to start. Staff can search records by name or year and walk you through the process of getting what you need.
Clare County Overview
Clare County Clerk Office
The Clare County Clerk office in Harrison handles marriage records for the whole county. This office issues marriage licenses, records completed marriages after the officiant returns the signed license, and provides certified copies to people who need them for legal or personal use.
Clare County sits in the middle of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It covers Harrison, Clare city, Farwell, and many rural townships. All marriages in these communities are filed with the county clerk. If you are looking for a marriage that happened anywhere in Clare County, this is where the record will be.
The office is open weekdays during regular hours. If you plan to drive from out of town, a quick call at (989) 539-7131 beforehand is a good idea to confirm the office will be available and to ask any specific questions about your request.
| Office | Clare County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 W Main St Harrison, MI 48625 |
| Phone | (989) 539-7131 |
| Fax | (989) 539-7132 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
How to Request Clare County Marriage Records
You can request Clare County marriage records in person, by mail, or through the state. Each method has its own timeline and requirements. In person is always the quickest option.
For in-person requests, go to 225 W Main Street during business hours. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. Have the names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage ready. Pay the fee and the clerk will issue the certified copy. Same-day service is typical for most routine requests.
Mail requests are straightforward. Write to the Clare County Clerk at 225 W Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625. Include the full names of both spouses, the marriage year, your mailing address, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee made payable to the Clare County Clerk. Mail requests usually take about 7 to 10 business days to process and return.
If you prefer a state-issued copy, the Michigan MDHHS at MDHHS vital records (333 S. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933, phone 517-335-8666) handles those requests for $34 per copy. You can also order online at VitalChek, though that adds a convenience fee.
Genealogy researchers can start with the Michiganology database to search indexed historical marriage records from Clare County before contacting the clerk directly.
Getting a Marriage License in Clare County
Both applicants must come in together to the Clare County Clerk office to apply for a marriage license. Michigan state law requires both people to be present at the time of application. There is no way around this rule, and it applies in every Michigan county including Clare.
Each person needs a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. Both applicants need their Social Security numbers. If you were married before, you must provide the date the previous marriage ended and the reason it ended, whether by divorce, annulment, or death. If you have relevant documents like a divorce decree, bring them. The clerk uses this information to complete the application correctly.
Michigan has a 3-day waiting period. After the license is issued, you must wait 3 full days before the ceremony can take place. Under MCL 551.103, the license is valid for 33 days. Plan the ceremony within that window. Licenses that expire are void and require a new application and payment.
The license fee for Michigan residents is $20. Non-residents pay $30. No blood test is needed. Both parties must be 18 years old or older. Michigan law on marriage is at MCL Chapter 551. The same rules apply in Clare County as in any other part of the state.
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Clare County Clerk, who records it. That document then becomes the official marriage record for Clare County.
Online Tools for Clare County Marriage Records
A few online resources are useful for searching or ordering Clare County marriage records without making a trip to Harrison.
The Michiganology vital records database is run by the Library of Michigan and is free to use. It has indexed historical marriage records from Clare County and across the state. You can look up names and get basic information about older marriages. This is a good starting point for genealogists or anyone trying to confirm a record exists before requesting a certified copy.
Ordering certified copies online is possible through VitalChek, which connects you to the MDHHS vital records system. This option costs $34 plus a service fee, but it is convenient for those who cannot travel to Harrison.
The legal basis for who can access Clare County marriage records is in MCL 333.2885. Records 75 years or older are open to anyone. Newer records are more restricted. The clerk's office follows this law when deciding who may receive a copy.
The Michigan Attorney General's office published AG Opinion 7298, which gives additional context on how vital records access rules are interpreted and applied in Michigan counties including Clare.
The Michiganology vital records database, operated by the Library of Michigan, allows free searches of historical Michigan marriage records including older Clare County entries.
Searching Michiganology is a practical first step when looking for older Clare County marriages before contacting the Harrison clerk's office directly.
Clare County Marriage Record Fees
Clare County uses standard Michigan fee rates for marriage licenses and certified record copies. Below are the current amounts.
- Marriage license (Michigan resident): $20.00
- Marriage license (non-resident of Michigan): $30.00
- First certified copy of marriage certificate: $15.00
- Each additional certified copy in the same request: $5.00
- State-issued copy from MDHHS in Lansing: $34.00
If you need multiple certified copies, ordering them all at once is the most cost-effective approach. The price per copy drops sharply after the first one. Getting two copies in a single visit costs $20, versus $30 if you come back a second time.
Note: Confirm accepted payment methods with the Clare County Clerk at (989) 539-7131 before your visit, especially if you prefer to pay by card.
Clare County Marriage Laws and Record Rules
Michigan marriage law governs what happens at the Clare County Clerk office from the time a couple applies for a license through the point when a certified copy is issued to someone who needs it.
The eligibility requirements are in MCL 551.101. The statute covers age requirements, the prohibition on marrying while already married to someone else, and other baseline rules. These apply in Clare County the same as they apply across Michigan.
The waiting period and license validity rules are at MCL 551.103. Three days must pass after the license is issued before the ceremony can happen. The license stays valid for 33 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed document to the county clerk. All of this is required by state law and followed by the Clare County Clerk.
The rules for accessing existing Clare County marriage records are set by MCL 333.2885. This part of the Public Health Code defines what is public and what is restricted. Records 75 or more years old are public. Newer records have tighter rules about who may request them. The clerk follows this law when processing every copy request that comes in.
Cities in Clare County
Clare County is a rural central Michigan county with Harrison as the county seat. All marriages in the county are recorded with the County Clerk in Harrison.
Communities in Clare County include Harrison, Clare city, Farwell, Lake, Gladwin border area townships, and many smaller rural communities. None of these currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Clare County is surrounded by several central Michigan counties. If a marriage was filed in a neighboring county, use these links to find the right office.