Search Marquette County Marriage Records

Marquette County marriage records go back to 1850 and are kept at the county clerk's office in Marquette. The Marquette County Clerk handles licenses, certified copies, and vital records searches for this Upper Peninsula county. This guide walks you through how to find, request, and use marriage records from Marquette County.

Marquette County Clerk

Linda Talsma serves as Marquette County Clerk and oversees vital records for the county. The clerk's office is in the Courthouse Annex at 234 W. Baraga Avenue in Marquette. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, which is a bit later than most counties in the state. Marriage records have been kept here since 1850, making this one of the longer-running vital records collections in the Upper Peninsula.

The Marquette County Clerk handles more than just marriage records. The office is also the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Chief Election Official, and the Vital Records Registrar. That means marriage records, court records, and election records all flow through the same office. For vital records like marriage documents, the clerk's staff can look up records, make certified copies, and help you sort out requests by mail or in person.

The clerk's office can be reached by phone at (906) 225-8330 or by email at countyclerk@mqtco.org. For the official county website, visit marquettemi.gov for current information on fees, services, and office hours.

The screenshot below shows the Marquette County Clerk's contact information as listed on the official county website.

Visiting the clerk in person at the Courthouse Annex is the fastest way to get certified copies of Marquette County marriage records.

How to Get Marquette County Marriage Records

Marquette County marriage records are available in person, by mail, and through the state. The most direct method is visiting the clerk's office at 234 W. Baraga Avenue during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties and the marriage year if you know it. Staff will search the records and issue certified copies while you wait in most cases.

For mail requests, write to the Marquette County Clerk at the Courthouse Annex address. Your letter should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and the number of copies you need. Include a check or money order for the correct fee made out to the county. The clerk will mail copies back to you. Mail turnaround time varies but is usually within a few business days after the request is received.

Marquette County marriage records date back to 1850. That is one of the older collections in the Upper Peninsula. For historical research, the Michiganology database at michiganology.org may have index data for older records. You can browse that collection for free before requesting certified copies from the county. For recent certified copies ordered through the state, VitalChek at vitalchek.com handles orders for the MDHHS vital records office.

The state-level MDHHS vital records office also keeps copies of marriage records from across Michigan. Their collection at the MDHHS vital records page covers records from 1867 onward. For records before 1867, the county may be your only option for a certified copy.

Marriage License Requirements

To get a marriage license in Marquette County, both people must visit the clerk's office at the Courthouse Annex in Marquette. The law requires at least one party to appear in person at the time of application. Michigan residents apply in the county where one of them lives. Non-residents who plan to marry in Marquette County apply here even if neither lives in Michigan.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 can marry with written parental or guardian consent. Bring valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. You do not need a blood test. You will receive written materials about disease prevention as required by state law. The application process itself is straightforward and takes only a few minutes at the office.

After you apply, there is a 3-day waiting period before you can pick up and use the license. The day of application does not count toward those 3 days. The license stays valid for 33 days from the application date. Under Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 551, the clerk records the license after the ceremony is complete and the officiant returns it. That filed record becomes the official marriage document for Marquette County.

• Apply at Marquette County Clerk, 234 W. Baraga Ave
• Both parties should appear; at least one required by law
• Must be 18+ (16-17 with parental consent)
• Valid photo ID required for both parties
• 3-day waiting period after application
• License valid 33 days from application date

Fees for Marquette County Marriage Records

Marquette County uses standard Michigan county fees for marriage licenses and certified copies. The marriage license application fee is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents. These are the standard rates set under Michigan law, and most counties in the state charge the same amount.

Certified copies of marriage records typically cost $15 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record requested at the same time cost $5 each. You can confirm current fees by calling the clerk at (906) 225-8330 or emailing countyclerk@mqtco.org before you visit. If you order through the state via VitalChek, the MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy. State copies cost more, but they are an option if you cannot get to the county office.

Payment at the clerk's office can usually be made by cash or check. Confirm accepted payment types when you call ahead. For mail requests, send a check or money order made payable to the Marquette County Clerk.

Historical Marriage Records in Marquette County

Marquette County has marriage records going back to 1850. That is earlier than many Michigan counties. The clerk's office keeps these records as part of the vital records collection. Older records may be on paper or microfilm and may require a staff-assisted search. If you are researching family history in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette County is one of the better-documented counties for the mid-1800s.

The state's Michiganology database includes vital records from many Michigan counties. You can browse index data for older Marquette County marriage records at no cost through that site. It is a good first step before you contact the clerk. The state also has records going back to 1867 at the MDHHS level. For records before 1867, the county is the only source.

Local libraries and the Upper Peninsula branch of the Michigan State Archives may also hold historical marriage records or indexes that are not online. The county historical society can sometimes direct you to records that are not in the main clerk database. If you hit a dead end online, try reaching out to those local resources directly.

Cities in Marquette County

Marquette is the largest city in the county and the county seat. No cities in Marquette County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. Marriage records for all communities in the county are handled through the Marquette County Clerk at 234 W. Baraga Avenue.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to or near Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula. Each handles marriage records through its own county clerk's office.