Search Mackinac County Marriage Records

Mackinac County marriage records are held by the Mackinac County Clerk in St. Ignace, at the Straits of Mackinac in the Upper Peninsula. The clerk's office handles marriage license applications and certified copy requests for all marriages recorded in this historic county.

Mackinac County Clerk Office

The Mackinac County Clerk is located at 100 S Marley St in St. Ignace. St. Ignace is the county seat and sits just north of the Mackinac Bridge at the tip of the Upper Peninsula. The clerk's office maintains all vital records for the county, including marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records. The county includes the iconic Mackinac Island, which draws many visitors but is administratively part of Mackinac County for vital records purposes.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note the 4:00 p.m. closing time. Call (906) 643-7300 before visiting. Fax is (906) 643-7301. St. Ignace is accessible by road from the Lower Peninsula via the Mackinac Bridge and from the rest of the UP by highway. If you are coming from Mackinac Island or a remote part of the county, plan your trip to account for travel time and the early closing hour.

For older records and genealogy research, the Michiganology database is a free state resource with indexed historical vital records from Michigan counties. That site is worth checking before contacting the county for very old records.

How to Get Mackinac County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Mackinac County marriage records are available in person at the clerk's office or by mailing a written request. In-person requests are processed the same day. Mail requests take longer given the remote location. Both methods give you the same certified copy.

For in-person requests, visit 100 S Marley St in St. Ignace during office hours. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties in the marriage. Provide the approximate date of the marriage. Staff will search the records and prepare a certified copy. Pay at the time of your visit. Cash and check are typically accepted at small county offices. Call ahead to ask about card payments.

For mail requests, write a letter with both parties' full names, the marriage date, your name, return address, and a check or money order for the fee. Mail to: Mackinac County Clerk, 100 S Marley St, St. Ignace, MI 49781. Do not send cash. Make the payment payable to the Mackinac County Clerk. Allow extra time for processing and return mail from the UP.

State-level copies are available through Michigan MDHHS vital records at $34 for the first certified copy. VitalChek also offers online ordering with an added service fee. County copies cost less, but state ordering is useful for remote requests.

For older records, the Michiganology database from the Michigan State Library indexes historical vital records from across the state. It is worth checking there first before submitting a formal request to the county for very old records.

Marriage License Requirements in Mackinac County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Mackinac County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Michigan does not permit proxy or mail applications. Both parties must be at 100 S Marley St in St. Ignace during business hours.

Under MCL 551.103, a 3-day waiting period applies from the date of application. The day you apply does not count. Apply Monday, pick up Thursday at the earliest. Given the travel involved for residents of more remote parts of the county including Mackinac Island, plan the two trips carefully. A waiting period waiver is available for $10 more if the schedule does not allow for the wait.

The license is valid for 33 days from issuance. Use it within that time or reapply. The license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Michigan. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Mackinac County Clerk within 10 days.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Ages 16 to 17 require written parental consent. Documents to bring: valid photo ID showing current address, Social Security numbers for both parties, dates and places of birth, and names and birthplaces of both sets of parents.

Michigan residents pay $20. Non-residents pay $30. The waiting period waiver is $10 more. Payment is made in person at the clerk's office.

Mackinac County Marriage Record Fees

Certified copy fees follow Michigan's standard county rates. The first certified copy of a marriage record is $15. Each additional copy of the same record costs $5. These rates apply to both in-person and mail requests. Confirm fees before submitting your request.

For in-person payments, cash and check are typical at small county offices. Call ahead about card payments. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to the Mackinac County Clerk. State copies through MDHHS cost $34 for the first copy, considerably more. County copies are the more affordable option.

Historical Mackinac County Marriage Records

Mackinac County is one of Michigan's older counties. The Straits of Mackinac have been a significant location in the region's history, and the county holds records going back to the mid-1800s. For genealogy research, older records may require additional search time. Provide as much detail as possible, including both parties' names and an approximate year, to help staff locate what you need.

The Michiganology database is a free tool that indexes older vital records from across Michigan. For Mackinac County, it may hold indexed marriage records from the 1800s and early 1900s. That is a good first step before contacting the county clerk for older records.

Under MCL 333.2882, records 75 years or older are public and available to anyone. Newer records are restricted to parties, parents, legal guardians, and those with a legal interest. For older historical research, the public access rule applies and simplifies the request process significantly.

The Vital Records Online Michigan page aggregates some additional historical record indexes and is worth checking alongside Michiganology for Mackinac County genealogy research.

State Resources for Mackinac County Records

Several state resources are helpful for Mackinac County marriage records. The MDHHS vital records office in Lansing is the state-level agency. They issue certified copies from any Michigan county by mail or online order. Their fees are higher than county fees, but they are a practical option for people in remote areas or outside Michigan.

The Michiganology database holds indexed historical vital records from Michigan counties. For Mackinac County genealogy research, this free site from the Michigan State Library is often the best first stop.

Michigan marriage law is found in Chapter 551 of the MCL. The rules set there apply equally in Mackinac County as in every other Michigan county. Understanding the law helps you know what to expect when applying for a license or requesting records in St. Ignace.

Cities in Mackinac County

St. Ignace is the county seat and largest community in Mackinac County. All marriage licenses and records for county residents are processed at the County Clerk's office at 100 S Marley St.

No major cities in Mackinac County meet the population threshold for dedicated pages. Other communities include Mackinac Island, Engadine, and Naubinway. Mackinac Island residents apply for marriage licenses at the County Clerk's office in St. Ignace. All county residents use the same clerk's office for marriage records.

Nearby Counties

Mackinac County sits at the Straits of Mackinac between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Check your county of residence when applying for a license or requesting records.