Access Sanilac County Marriage Records
Marriage records in Sanilac County are held by the County Clerk at 60 W Sanilac Ave in Sandusky. The clerk issues marriage licenses and certified copies for this Thumb region county along Michigan's eastern shore.
Sanilac County Overview
Sanilac County Clerk
The Sanilac County Clerk in Sandusky is the place to go for all marriage license and vital records services in this county. The Thumb region sits on Michigan's eastern shore along Lake Huron. Sanilac is a rural county with Sandusky as its county seat. The clerk's office is small but handles all the same services as larger county offices.
Both parties must appear in person when applying for a marriage license. Bring your required documents. The clerk will review everything before issuing the application. If you are coming from out of the county, call ahead to make sure the office will be open and to ask about any specific requirements for your situation.
| Office | Sanilac County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 60 W Sanilac Ave Sandusky, MI 48471 |
| Phone | (810) 648-3212 |
| Fax | (810) 648-3213 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Get Sanilac County Marriage Records
Marriage records from Sanilac County can be obtained in person at the clerk's office in Sandusky or by mail. In-person is faster. Bring your ID, state the names and year, and pay the fee. The clerk will make a copy for you on the same visit.
Mail requests require a written request with the names on the record, the year of the marriage, your full name and contact details, and payment by check or money order. Send everything to the Sanilac County Clerk at 60 W Sanilac Ave, Sandusky, MI 48471. Allow several weeks for a mail request to be processed and returned.
The Michigan MDHHS holds statewide marriage records. You can order through the MDHHS vital records office by mail or online through VitalChek. State fees are $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each extra copy. These fees apply regardless of which county the marriage was recorded in.
The Michiganology database at michiganology.org has older marriage records from Sanilac County in its statewide index. This is a free tool from the State Archives and is well suited for genealogy searches going back to the 1800s.
Marriage License Requirements
Michigan law governs marriage licenses statewide. Sanilac County follows these same rules. Before going to the clerk's office, make sure you have the right documents and understand the process.
Both applicants must be 18 or older. People who are 16 or 17 may apply with written parental consent. There is a 3-day waiting period after you submit your application. The license becomes valid 3 days later and stays valid for 33 days. If you miss that window, you must reapply and pay again.
You need a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID card. A certified birth certificate is required for each applicant. Hospital birth records are not accepted. If you were born abroad, bring a certified translation of your birth certificate. If you have been married before, bring proof of how that marriage ended.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Sanilac County Clerk within 10 days. Under MCL 333.2882, the clerk then files the record with the state vital records office.
Fees for Licenses and Copies
Sanilac County charges standard county fees for marriage licenses. Call (810) 648-3212 before your visit to confirm the current amount. Fees for certified copies of records may differ from the state fee schedule.
Through MDHHS, certified copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional copy requested at the same time. County clerk fees are often lower. If you need multiple copies, request them all at once to save on the per-record search charge.
The following screenshot shows the state marriage records law reference, which applies to all Michigan counties including Sanilac.
Under this chapter, counties like Sanilac follow uniform procedures for issuing and recording marriage licenses throughout Michigan.
Cities in Sanilac County
Sanilac County is largely rural with Sandusky as its county seat. Other communities include Lexington, Croswell, and Deckerville. All residents of the county apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office in Sandusky.
No cities in Sanilac County meet the population threshold for a separate page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Sanilac County is in the Thumb region and borders these Michigan counties. Make sure you know which county you live in before applying for a marriage license.