Find Marriage Records in St. Clair County
St. Clair County marriage records are held by the County Clerk at 201 McMorran Blvd in Port Huron. The clerk issues marriage licenses and provides certified copies of marriage records for this eastern Michigan county that borders Canada across the St. Clair River.
St. Clair County Overview
St. Clair County Clerk
The St. Clair County Clerk serves as the Register of Deeds as well, making it a combined office. The clerk's office in Port Huron handles marriage license applications, vital records requests, and certified copy orders. Both parties to a marriage must appear in person at this office to apply for a license.
Port Huron sits on the eastern edge of Michigan along the St. Clair River, directly across from Sarnia, Ontario. The county is in the Thumb region, bordered by Lake Huron to the north and east. If you are a Michigan resident, you apply for your license in your home county. If neither of you lives in Michigan, you apply in the county where the wedding will be held.
| Office | St. Clair County Clerk/Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 McMorran Blvd Port Huron, MI 48060 |
| Phone | (810) 985-2200 |
| Fax | (810) 985-2201 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Get St. Clair County Marriage Records
Marriage records in St. Clair County can be requested in person or by mail. In-person requests are faster. Go to the clerk's office at 201 McMorran Blvd in Port Huron. Show your photo ID and pay the fee. Staff will look up the record and make a copy.
For mail requests, write to the clerk's office with the names on the record, the year of the marriage, your contact info, and the reason for the request. Include a check or money order for the fee. Allow extra time for the request to be processed and the copy to be mailed back to you.
The state MDHHS also holds Michigan marriage records. You can order certified copies through VitalChek online. The state fee is $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. The MDHHS vital records page explains the process in detail.
For older records going back to the 1800s, the Michiganology database at michiganology.org has indexed marriage records from St. Clair County and across the state. This free resource is run by the State Archives of Michigan and is a good starting point for genealogy research.
Marriage License Requirements
St. Clair County follows Michigan state law for marriage licenses. The rules are the same across all 83 counties. You need to know these requirements before you go to the clerk's office.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Ages 16 and 17 require written parental consent. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan. You must show a valid photo ID and a certified birth certificate. Hospital birth records are not accepted, and neither are baptismal papers. If you were born outside the U.S., bring a certified translation of your birth certificate.
Michigan has a mandatory 3-day waiting period after you apply. The license is not valid until those 3 days pass. Once it is valid, you have 33 days to use it. If 33 days pass and you have not married, the license expires and you must apply again. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the St. Clair County Clerk within 10 days.
Under MCL 551.101, both parties must be legally free to marry. If you have been married before, you must show proof that the prior marriage ended through divorce, annulment, or death of the spouse.
Marriage Record Fees
St. Clair County charges standard county fees for marriage licenses. Call the clerk's office at (810) 985-2200 to get the current fee before you visit. Fee amounts can change and vary from what the state charges.
Certified copies of marriage records from MDHHS cost $34 for the first copy. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $16. If you go through the county clerk directly, the fee may be less. Order all copies you need at once to avoid paying the search fee more than once.
Mail-in requests may require a money order or check made payable to the St. Clair County Clerk. Personal checks may or may not be accepted. Ask when you call. Online orders through VitalChek accept credit cards but add a service fee on top of the base copy cost.
State Records and Online Resources
Michigan has a few online tools for finding marriage records. The Michiganology platform is the main free option for older records. The screenshot below shows the state's Michiganology vital records search interface.
This database covers St. Clair County records as part of the statewide collection. It is best for records from before 1950. For recent records, contact the county clerk directly.
The MDHHS vital records office holds statewide marriage records. They have records filed from 1867 to the present. Call or write to order a certified copy. The online VitalChek system at vitalchek.com lets you order online with a credit card.
Cities in St. Clair County
St. Clair County includes Port Huron as its county seat, along with a number of smaller cities and townships throughout the county. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the St. Clair County Clerk's office in Port Huron.
Other communities include Marine City, Marysville, St. Clair, Algonac, and several townships. None of these meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
St. Clair County borders these Michigan counties. Check your county of residence before applying, as Michigan law requires you to apply in the county where you live.