Mason County Marriage Records

Mason County marriage records are on file with the Mason County Clerk in Ludington, a city on Lake Michigan in western Michigan. The clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps certified copies of all marriage records for the county. This page covers how to get marriage records, what to bring, and what you can expect when requesting documents from the Mason County Clerk.

Mason County Clerk

The Mason County Clerk's office is located at 304 E Ludington Ave in Ludington. This is the office you need for marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage records in Mason County. The clerk maintains all vital records for the county, and the staff can help you search for a record or request a copy. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mason County sits on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Ludington is the county seat and the largest community in the county. All marriages that take place in Mason County are recorded here. After a marriage ceremony, the officiant files the completed license with the clerk, and that document becomes the official record. You can get certified copies of that record from the clerk's office at any time after it is filed.

The state also keeps copies of Mason County marriage records at the MDHHS vital records office. Their collection at michigan.gov covers records from 1867 forward. For online ordering, VitalChek handles state-level requests at vitalchek.com.

How to Get Mason County Marriage Records

You have two main options for getting marriage records from Mason County. Visit the clerk's office in person, or send a request by mail. In person is faster. You can get your copies the same day if you visit during business hours and the record exists. Mail takes longer since the clerk must process your request and send documents back to you.

For in-person requests, go to 304 E Ludington Ave in Ludington. Bring your photo ID and the names of both parties. If you know the year of the marriage, that will help staff find the record quickly. Tell the clerk how many copies you need. You pay at the time of the request. Most visits take only a few minutes once you are at the counter.

For mail requests, write to the Mason County Clerk at 304 E Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431. Your letter should include both parties' full names, the marriage date or year, and the number of copies needed. Include a check or money order for the fee. The clerk will mail copies back to you after processing your request.

If you prefer to order online, you can use VitalChek to request copies through the state. The MDHHS vital records office at michigan.gov handles state-level requests. The Michiganology database at michiganology.org has historical records you can browse for free, which is helpful if you are doing genealogy research and need to confirm details before ordering a certified copy.

Marriage records in Michigan are public records. You do not have to be a party to the marriage to request a copy. Anyone can request a certified copy from the county clerk. The document itself is a public record once it is filed.

Marriage License Requirements in Mason County

Getting a marriage license in Mason County starts with a visit to the clerk's office at 304 E Ludington Ave. Michigan law requires at least one applicant to appear in person when applying. Both people coming together is recommended. Michigan residents apply in the county where one of them lives. Non-residents apply in the county where the wedding will take place.

You must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent in Michigan. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Applicants younger than 16 cannot marry in Michigan. No blood test is required. The clerk will give you written materials about disease transmission and prevention as required by state law. This is a formality and does not add time to your visit.

After applying, you must wait 3 days before the license is valid. The day of your application does not count toward those 3 days. Apply on a Monday, for example, and the earliest you can marry is Thursday. The license stays active for 33 days after the application date. If you do not get married within those 33 days, the license expires and you must start over with a new application.

Under Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 551, the county clerk issues and records marriage licenses. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the clerk. That filed document is the official marriage record for Mason County. Certified copies of that record are needed for many legal purposes after marriage.

• Visit Mason County Clerk at 304 E Ludington Ave
• At least one applicant must appear in person
• Must be 18+ (16-17 with parental consent)
• Valid government-issued photo ID required
• No blood test required
• 3-day waiting period after application
• License valid 33 days from application

Mason County Marriage Record Fees

Mason County charges standard Michigan county fees for marriage licenses and certified copies. The marriage license fee is $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents. These rates follow the standard set under state law and are the same as most other Michigan counties.

Certified copies of marriage records typically cost $15 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record are $5 each when ordered at the same time. Always call the clerk at (231) 843-4102 to confirm current fees before you visit or mail a request, since fees can change. For state-level copies ordered through VitalChek, the MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each copy after that. State copies cost more but are an option if you cannot visit or mail directly to Mason County.

The image below shows the VitalChek Michigan ordering page, one option for getting certified marriage record copies without visiting the county office in person.

Ordering through VitalChek is convenient for people who live far from Ludington or need to order records remotely.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Mason County's position on Lake Michigan made it an active area in Michigan's early settlement period. Marriage records from the county go back to the mid-1800s. Older records may be on paper and require staff assistance to search. The clerk's office can help with most requests, though very old records may take more time to locate.

For genealogy research, the Michiganology database is a good first step. The site at michiganology.org includes vital record indexes from across Michigan, and you can browse them for free before requesting certified copies. The state MDHHS collection covers records from 1867 onward.

The image below shows the Michiganology vital records portal, a free resource for browsing historical Michigan marriage records including those from Mason County.

Once you find a record in the index, you can order a certified copy from the Mason County Clerk or through the state. The Michiganology site does not issue certified copies itself but is a valuable research tool for confirming details before making a formal request.

Cities in Mason County

Ludington is the county seat and main city in Mason County. No cities in Mason County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All marriage licenses and record requests for the county go through the Mason County Clerk at 304 E Ludington Ave in Ludington.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Mason County in western Michigan. Each has its own county clerk handling marriage records. If you are not sure which county a marriage took place in, check the address of the ceremony.