Search Gogebic County Marriage Records

Gogebic County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in Bessemer, in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula. The clerk's office is the place to go for marriage license applications and certified copies of marriage records. This page covers what you need to know to find and get Gogebic County marriage records through the clerk or the state.

Gogebic County Clerk Office

The Gogebic County Clerk is located at 200 N Moore St, Bessemer, MI 49911. This office manages all vital records for the county, including marriage licenses and marriage certificates. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gogebic County is one of several Upper Peninsula counties with shorter office hours, so call before you make a trip.

Call the clerk at (906) 663-4518 or fax at (906) 663-4519 with questions about records. Staff can confirm what information you need to bring and whether a record is in the county system. Gogebic County is a small county, so the office is less busy than urban areas, but wait times still vary by season.

Gogebic County Marriage Record Requests

You can get a certified copy of a marriage record in Gogebic County by visiting the clerk in person or by sending a mail request. In person is the easiest method. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties plus the approximate year of marriage. The fee is $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Pay at the office window by cash or check.

For mail requests, include a letter with the party names, marriage year, and your contact information. Add a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order for $15.00 payable to Gogebic County Clerk, and a stamped return envelope. Send it to 200 N Moore St, Bessemer, MI 49911. Processing by mail takes longer than in person, so allow extra time.

State-level copies are also available from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The MDHHS vital records page at michigan.gov/mdhhs covers the process and fees. The state charges $34 per certified copy. Online ordering through VitalChek is another option with an additional service charge.

Records that are 75 years or older are open to the public under MCL 333.2885. Newer records require that you show a direct interest in the record, such as being one of the parties or an immediate family member.

Marriage Licenses in Gogebic County

Both parties must come to the clerk's office in person to apply for a marriage license in Gogebic County. Both must be at least 18. Bring valid photo ID along with your Social Security number, date and place of birth, and your parents' full names and birthplaces. Michigan law requires a 3-day waiting period between the time you apply and when you can pick up the license. The license is then valid for 33 days under MCL 551.103.

The license fee is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for applicants from out of state. After the ceremony, the person performing it files the completed license with the Gogebic County Clerk. That filing is what creates the permanent marriage record. You can then request certified copies after that record is on file.

Michigan marriage law at Chapter 551 governs all of this. The specific license requirements are in MCL 551.101.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Gogebic County is in the western tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which means its records reflect a unique regional history tied to copper and iron mining. For older marriage records and genealogy research, the Michiganology database at michiganology.org holds indexed historical vital records from Michigan counties including the U.P. counties. This is a free resource that may help with older records before the county's current system.

For questions about what records you can get and what qualifies as a legal interest, the Michigan AG opinion on marriage records provides a detailed explanation of the access rules.

Note: Gogebic County shares a border with Wisconsin to the west. If you are researching a family that moved between the two states, you may need to check county records on both sides of the state line.

Nearby Counties

Gogebic County is in Michigan's far western Upper Peninsula. These neighboring counties also hold marriage records for their residents.