Washtenaw County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Washtenaw County are held by the County Clerk/Register of Deeds in Ann Arbor. The Vital Records Division handles marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and corrections to existing records, with records going back to 1867.

Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds

The Washtenaw County Clerk also serves as the Register of Deeds. Lawrence Kestenbaum holds this elected position. The Vital Records Division within the clerk's office is the specific unit that handles marriage licenses and vital records requests. You can reach them by email at vitalrecords@washtenaw.org or by phone at (734) 222-6730.

The office is at 200 N Main St, Suite 100, in downtown Ann Arbor. Both parties must appear in person when applying for a marriage license. If you need to mail in a request for a copy, use the P.O. Box address. The office processes in-person and mail requests on an ongoing basis during business hours.

Washtenaw County is home to the University of Michigan. The county has one of the higher marriage rates in Michigan given its large young-adult population. The Vital Records Division handles a significant volume of marriage license applications throughout the year. If you plan to visit in spring or early summer, peak wedding season, call ahead to ask about wait times.

The Washtenaw County website at washtenaw.org provides links to the Vital Records Division and details on how to request certified copies online, by mail, or in person.

How to Get Washtenaw County Marriage Records

Washtenaw County offers three ways to request certified copies of marriage records: online, by mail, and in person. Each method has its own steps. Pick the one that best fits your situation and timeline.

Online orders can be placed through the Washtenaw County Clerk's website at washtenaw.org. This is convenient if you cannot visit the office or prefer not to mail in a request. Credit card payment is accepted online. Processing times vary, and the copy will be mailed to you.

Mail requests go to the Vital Records Division at P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Include the names of both parties, the year of the marriage, your name and return address, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Make checks payable to Washtenaw County Clerk. Cash is not accepted by mail.

In-person requests are handled at Suite 100 at 200 N Main St during business hours. Bring your photo ID and the fee. Payment can be made by cash or credit/debit card in person. The clerk can search by names and year and give you the copy during your visit in most cases.

The following screenshot shows the Washtenaw County vital records page with detailed instructions for each request method.

This page at washtenaw.org/158/Vital-Records is the official source for record request forms and current fee information.

Marriage License Requirements

Washtenaw County follows Michigan state law for all marriage license applications. The same rules apply here as in every other Michigan county. Review them carefully before coming to the clerk's office.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Ages 16 and 17 may marry with written parental consent. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan. Each applicant needs a valid photo ID and a certified birth certificate. Hospital birth records and baptismal papers are not accepted. If born abroad, you need a certified English translation of your birth certificate.

Michigan has a 3-day waiting period. The license is not valid until 3 full days after the application date. Once valid, the license is good for 33 days. If you do not hold the ceremony within that window, the license expires and you must reapply. After the wedding, the officiant must return the completed license to the Washtenaw County Clerk within 10 days.

Both parties must disclose any prior marriages under MCL 551.103. Bring a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate for each prior marriage. Free notarization is available at the clerk's office if you need documents notarized.

Correcting a Marriage License

Washtenaw County has a formal process for correcting errors on a marriage license after it is issued. If information on your license is wrong, you can file an affidavit to request a correction.

The required form is called the "Affidavit and Motion to Correct License of Marriage, Verification, and Ex Parte Order." Fill it out with both spouses' names as they appear on the current license, your contact information and address, the Local File Number from the top-right corner of the license, what is wrong, and what the correct information should be.

Sign and print your name in front of a notary public. Free notarization is available at the Clerk's Office. Submit the form with the $100.00 correction fee. You can pay by check or money order (mail) or by cash or credit/debit card (in person). Mail to Washtenaw County Clerk, Vital Records, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Or bring it in person to Suite 100 at 200 N Main St.

Once the clerk reviews and signs off on the correction, the form goes to a Circuit Court Judge for review. Processing takes about 30 days. The clerk will contact you at the phone number or email you provided when the correction is done.

Court Records Related to Marriage

Some marriage-related records are held by the Washtenaw County courts rather than the clerk's vital records division. This includes orders related to name changes, annulments, and certain probate matters. Court order copies are available from Court Records. Call (734) 222-3024 or email records@washtenaw.org.

Fees

Washtenaw County charges standard fees for marriage records. The MDHHS statewide fee is $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy. Confirm the current county fee by calling (734) 222-6730 or checking the Vital Records page on the county website.

The license correction fee is $100.00. This is set by the county and covers the review by the clerk and the circuit court judge. Mail payments for corrections must be a check or money order. In-person payments can be cash or credit/debit card. Personal checks may not be accepted for all transactions. Ask when you call.

Online copy orders may include a small processing fee beyond the base copy cost. For mail orders sent to the P.O. Box, use a check or money order made payable to Washtenaw County Clerk. Do not send cash by mail. Order all copies you need in one request to avoid paying the search fee more than once.

State Resources for Washtenaw County Records

In addition to the county clerk, Michigan MDHHS holds statewide marriage records. You can order through the MDHHS vital records office or online via VitalChek. This is a good option if you need a copy but are not near Ann Arbor.

The Michiganology database at michiganology.org has an index of historical marriage records from Washtenaw County. This free tool covers older records, particularly useful for genealogy research on families going back to the mid-1800s. Washtenaw County records go back to 1867 in the clerk's office and even earlier in archival collections.

Under MCL 333.2882, county clerks are required to file marriage records with the state. This means MDHHS has a copy of every Washtenaw County marriage going back to the statewide vital records system's start date.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County includes Ann Arbor, the largest city and county seat, along with several other communities. Ann Arbor has a dedicated page on this site with more information on getting marriage records there.

Other communities in Washtenaw County include Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, and Dexter. These areas file for marriage licenses at the county clerk's office in Ann Arbor. They do not have separate pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Washtenaw County borders these Michigan counties. Apply for your marriage license in the county where you live.