Find Marriage Records in Ingham County
Ingham County marriage records date back to 1837 and are managed by the Ingham County Clerk. The clerk has two office locations: the main office in Mason and a branch in Lansing at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse. You can search, apply, and request certified copies of Ingham County marriage records at either location or online.
Ingham County Overview
Ingham County Clerk Office
County Clerk Barb Byrum is the elected official who manages marriage records in Ingham County. The clerk's office handles everything from marriage license applications to certified copy requests. There are two locations you can use. The Mason office is the main location. The Lansing branch at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse serves residents in the Lansing area.
The Mason office is at 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854. The mailing address is P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854. The Lansing branch is at 313 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48933. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Note that both offices close for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. If you need a quick visit, plan around that window.
You can call Mason at 517-676-7201 or the Lansing branch at 517-483-6424. The email for both is clerk@ingham.org. More details are on the clerk's website at clerk.ingham.org.
| Main Office (Mason) | 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854 |
|---|---|
| Branch Office (Lansing) | 313 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854 |
| Phone (Mason) | 517-676-7201 |
| Phone (Lansing) | 517-483-6424 |
| clerk@ingham.org | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30 p.m.) |
| County Clerk | Barb Byrum |
The Ingham County homepage at ingham.org provides a starting point for all county services. The clerk section of the site has the most detail on vital records.
From the county homepage you can navigate to the clerk's office, vital records, and the marriage license application portal.
Ingham County Clerk Marriage Records Resources
The clerk's office site at clerk.ingham.org has the most up-to-date information on marriage licenses, certified copies, and how to order records. The clerk also performs marriage ceremonies at the Mason Historical Courthouse for a fee of $50 (plus $20 for witnesses if needed). Contact clerk@ingham.org to set that up.
The clerk's website is where you start the online marriage license application and where you can find contact info for both office locations.
The vital records section covers all record types held by the clerk, including marriage licenses going back to 1837.
The vital records section of the clerk website explains what records are available, access rules, and how to request certified copies of Ingham County marriage records.
Ingham County Marriage License Process
Getting a marriage license in Ingham County involves a few steps. Start by filling out the online application at the clerk's website. Print it, bring it to either the Mason or Lansing office, sign an affidavit in front of staff, and pay the fee. Then return after three days to pick up the license. That waiting period is required under MCL 551.103.
The license fee for Michigan residents is $20. Out-of-state applicants pay $30. If you need a waiting period waiver, that costs an additional $100. The license is valid for 33 days after it is issued. If you do not use it in that time, you must apply again and pay the fee again. Under MCL 551.103, those are fixed deadlines that do not change.
Only one party needs to be an Ingham County resident. Only the resident party must appear in person at the office. Out-of-state applicants can mail a signed and notarized affidavit to P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854. Include your contact info, the wedding date, and your payment.
Documents you need to bring:
- Valid Michigan Driver's License or state ID showing an Ingham County address
- Date and place of birth for both parties
- Current addresses for both parties
- Social Security numbers for both parties
- Full names and birthplaces of both sets of parents
The online marriage license application portal is at ingham.org marriage license page. You can start the process from there before your visit.
The marriage license page on the county site outlines the full process, documents required, fees, and the waiting period schedule for picking up your license.
Waiting period schedule: Apply Monday, pick up Thursday. Apply Tuesday, pick up Friday. Apply Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, pick up the following Monday. Plan your trip accordingly.
Note: If you need to correct a marriage record after filing, the correction fee is $100.00. The process requires an affidavit and a court order, which typically takes around 30 days.
Getting Certified Copies of Ingham County Marriage Records
You can request certified copies at either office in person, by mail, or through the clerk's self-service online portal. The fee for the first certified copy is $15.00. Each additional copy of the same record costs $5.00. If you need it faster, the expedited fee adds $45.00.
Processing time for mailed requests is within 5 business days of receipt. For in-person requests, you can often get copies the same day at either location. Email requests to clerk@ingham.org are also accepted, and staff will follow up with instructions on how to pay and receive your copy.
Certified copies are commonly needed when you change your name with the Social Security Administration and then update your state ID or driver's license with the Michigan Secretary of State. Keep a certified copy for your own records as well.
State-level copies are also available through MDHHS vital records for $34 each. You can also order state-certified copies through VitalChek with an additional service fee. County copies are the less expensive option for most people.
Michigan Marriage Law and Record Access
Marriage in Michigan is governed by Chapter 551 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The law covers who can marry, how licenses are issued, waiting periods, and what happens if someone fails to return the completed license after the ceremony. The full text of MCL 551.101 is a good starting point if you want to read the specific rules.
Access to marriage records in Michigan is set by MCL 333.2885. Records that are 75 years or older are open to the public and available to anyone. Records under 75 years old can only be released to certain people: a party to the record, a parent or legal guardian, or a person with a legal interest. The Michigan Attorney General opinion on this topic provides more context on how the law applies.
Michiganology, the state's online historical records database at michiganology.org, holds older indexed vital records that may be useful for genealogy research. Records on that site tend to cover the pre-1900 and early 1900s era.
Cities in Ingham County
Lansing is the largest city in Ingham County and the state capital of Michigan. All marriage licenses for Ingham County residents are processed at the County Clerk's office in Mason or the Lansing branch.
Other communities in Ingham County include East Lansing, Okemos, Holt, Williamston, and Mason. Residents of all these areas file marriage licenses through the Ingham County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
Ingham County sits in south-central Michigan. Check your address to confirm which county you live in before applying for a marriage license or requesting records.