Oakland County Marriage Records
Oakland County marriage records go back to 1827 and are kept by the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds. You can search records online, order certified copies, or visit one of two office locations in Pontiac or Troy.
Oakland County Overview
Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds
The Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds handles all marriage records in the county. Lisa Brown serves as the current Clerk/Register. The main office in Pontiac holds marriage and naturalization records going back to 1827. A satellite office in Troy also serves residents, though it operates by appointment only on select days.
Marriage records created before 1942 are not available online. For those older records, you must visit the Pontiac office or send a mail request. Records from 1942 forward can often be accessed online or ordered through the county's web portal. The Pontiac office does not require an appointment. The Troy office requires one and is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only.
The county also offers a free genealogy search tool at courts.oakgov.com/OakGnlg. This database lets you browse marriage records going back to 1868 at no cost. It is a useful starting point for family history research. The tool does not give you certified copies, but it does show names, dates, and record numbers.
Oakland County launched an online portal for ordering certified copies. You reach it at apps.oakgov.com. Credit card payments are accepted. There is a service fee on top of the copy cost. Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days with no additional charge. Express mail service (2 to 3 business days) costs $31.40 extra.
The genealogy search portal shown below is a good first step. It covers free browsing of Oakland County marriage records starting in 1868. Use it to find a record before placing an order for a certified copy.
The official Oakland County genealogy search portal is available at courts.oakgov.com. The image below shows what the search interface looks like when accessed from a browser.
This free tool covers records from 1868. You can search by name to locate marriage entries before ordering a certified copy.
| Main Office | 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
|---|---|
| Satellite Office | 1151 Crooks Rd, Troy, MI 48084 (by appointment) |
| Phone | (248) 858-0571 or (248) 858-0572 |
| Main Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Troy Office Hours | Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (appointment required) |
| Online Portal | apps.oakgov.com - Order Certified Copies |
| Genealogy Search | courts.oakgov.com/OakGnlg |
How to Get Oakland County Marriage Records
Oakland County gives you three ways to get marriage records: online, in person, or by mail. Each method works for different situations. Online ordering is the fastest for recent records. In person is best when you need a copy the same day or if you are working with older records. Mail requests take the longest but work well if you live out of the area.
To order online, go to the county's marriage records portal at apps.oakgov.com. You will need the names of both parties and the approximate year of the marriage. Pay by credit card. The system sends the certified copy to your mailing address. Allow 7 to 10 business days for regular delivery, or pay extra for express processing.
For in-person requests, go to the main office at 1200 N. Telegraph in Pontiac. No appointment is needed. Bring valid photo ID. Staff will look up the record and give you copies while you wait. The Troy office handles in-person requests too, but you must call ahead. That office is open three days a week.
Mail requests go to: Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341. Include the full names of both people, the marriage year, your name and address, the number of copies you want, and a check or money order for the correct amount. Fees are listed in the next section.
Marriage License Requirements in Oakland County
Both people getting married must apply for a license before the wedding. Under MCL 551.103, both parties must appear in person. You apply at the Oakland County Clerk's office either in Pontiac or Troy. Michigan residents can apply at any county clerk in the state, but you can also just use Oakland County if that is where you or your partner lives.
Michigan law sets a 3-day waiting period after you apply. The license is not valid until those three days pass. If you need to skip the wait, Oakland County charges $5 to waive the waiting period. Once issued, the license is valid for 33 days. If you do not get married within 33 days, you must apply again and pay the fee again. The license is good anywhere in Michigan.
You will need to bring the following when you apply:
- Valid driver's license or state ID showing your current address
- Birth certificate or valid passport for both applicants
- Social Security numbers for both parties
- Full names and birthplaces of both parents
- Number of prior marriages, if any
The fee for a marriage license is $20 for Michigan residents. Non-residents who plan to get married in Oakland County pay $30. You can start the application online through the Oakland County Clerk's website, but at least one person must appear in person to complete the process and pick up the license.
Oakland County Marriage Record Fees
Oakland County charges fixed fees for marriage records. These fees apply whether you request in person, by mail, or online. Online requests may include an additional service fee charged by the county's payment system.
| Marriage License (Michigan resident) | $20.00 |
|---|---|
| Marriage License (non-resident) | $30.00 |
| Waiting period waiver | $5.00 |
| Certified copy - first copy | $15.00 |
| Certified copy - each additional | $5.00 |
| Express mail (2-3 business days) | $31.40 |
| Regular mail (7-10 business days) | No charge |
Pay by check or money order for mail requests. Make checks payable to Oakland County Clerk. Online payments require a credit card and may include a processing fee. In-person payments can be made by cash, check, or card depending on the office.
Online Tools for Oakland County Marriage Records
Oakland County has more online tools for marriage records than most Michigan counties. The free genealogy database at courts.oakgov.com covers marriages from 1868. It is read-only, meaning you can search and view entries but cannot download certified copies from it. Use it to confirm a record exists before ordering a copy.
The Court Explorer tool at courtexplorer.oakgov.com lets you search Circuit Court records. This includes civil and domestic cases. While not directly tied to marriage licenses, it can be useful for related legal filings. Searches are free. The system shows party names, docket entries, and case status.
For certified copies, use the county's order portal at apps.oakgov.com. You can also use third-party services like VitalChek or Michiganology, though official county channels are the most direct route. MDHHS certified copies cost $34 for the first copy, but county copies at $15 are typically cheaper for Oakland County records.
Note that records created before 1942 are only available by visiting the office in person or sending a mail request. The online tools do not cover those older documents.
Historical Marriage Records in Oakland County
Oakland County has been keeping marriage records since 1827, which makes it one of the richer archives in Michigan. The county was organized in 1820, and early records reflect the growth of Southeast Michigan during the 19th century. Researchers doing family history work will find a lot here.
The free genealogy search at courts.oakgov.com starts in 1868. For records from 1827 to 1867, you need to visit the Pontiac office in person or send a written request. Staff can search those older indexes and provide copies. It helps to know the approximate year and at least one full name.
The Michiganology database also holds some Oakland County historical records. That state-run resource covers digitized vital records from across Michigan. It is worth checking both sources when doing older research. Records created before 1935 for births, and before 1942 for marriages and deaths, are not in any online county database but may appear in the Michiganology collection.
Cities in Oakland County
Oakland County has several large cities. The ones listed below have their own marriage records pages. All cities in Oakland County file marriage licenses through the Oakland County Clerk in Pontiac or Troy.
Other communities in Oakland County include Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Royal Oak, Novi, and West Bloomfield Township. All file marriage licenses with the Oakland County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Oakland County. Each has its own clerk's office handling marriage records for residents in that jurisdiction.