Find Wexford County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Wexford County are maintained by the County Clerk at 437 E Division St in Cadillac. The clerk issues marriage licenses and provides certified copies of marriage records for this northern Michigan county.

Wexford County Clerk

The Wexford County Clerk in Cadillac handles all marriage license applications and vital records for this northern Lower Peninsula county. Cadillac is the largest city and county seat. The clerk's office is where you go to apply for a marriage license, get certified copies, and access vital records.

Both parties must appear in person when applying for a marriage license. Bring all required documents and plan to arrive well before the 4:30 PM closing time. If you are traveling from another part of northern Michigan, call ahead to confirm hours and what documents you need. The clerk can answer questions about the process before your visit.

How to Get Wexford County Marriage Records

You can get marriage records from Wexford County in person or by mail. Going in person is the fastest way. Visit the clerk at 437 E Division St in Cadillac. Show your photo ID and tell the clerk the names and year of the marriage you are looking for. Pay the fee and get your copy the same day for recent records.

For mail requests, write to the Wexford County Clerk with the names of both parties, the year of the marriage, your full name and address, and a check or money order for the fee. Allow extra time for mailed requests. Processing time varies, and return delivery adds more days.

The Michigan MDHHS maintains statewide vital records going back to 1867. Certified copies can be ordered through VitalChek online or directly through the MDHHS vital records office. The state fee is $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.

For genealogy research, the Michiganology database at michiganology.org has indexed older marriage records from Wexford County and all Michigan counties. It is a free tool run by the State Archives and is best for records before the mid-20th century.

Marriage License Requirements

Wexford County follows Michigan state law for all marriage licenses. The same rules apply in every Michigan county. Review these requirements before you come to the clerk's office in Cadillac.

Both parties must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. Ages 16 and 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. No one under 16 may marry in Michigan. Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID and a certified birth certificate. Hospital birth records and baptismal papers are not accepted. Birth certificates from foreign countries must be translated into English by a certified translator.

Michigan law requires a 3-day waiting period from the date of application. The license is not valid until those 3 days have passed. Once it becomes valid, the license is good for 33 days. If the 33-day window closes without a ceremony, you must start over and pay the fee again. After the wedding, the person who performs the ceremony must return the completed license to the Wexford County Clerk within 10 days.

Under MCL 551.101, both parties must be legally free to marry. If either person has been married before, they must bring proof of how that marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate of the former spouse.

Fees for Licenses and Copies

Wexford County charges standard county fees for marriage license applications. Call (231) 779-9450 before your visit to confirm the current amount. Fees can change, and the county fee may be different from what the state charges.

Through MDHHS, certified copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional copy requested at the same time. County fees are often lower than the state rate. If you need several copies, request them all at once. This saves you from paying the search fee more than one time.

For mail orders, use a check or money order payable to the Wexford County Clerk. Do not mail cash. Online orders through VitalChek accept credit cards. A processing fee is added on top of the base copy cost for online orders.

State Records and Online Access

Wexford County does not have its own online marriage records portal. Use the state-level tools for online searches and certified copy orders. The screenshot below shows the Michigan vital records online ordering system through VitalChek.

This system covers Wexford County records as part of the statewide collection. Use it when you need a certified copy and cannot travel to Cadillac in person. For older records and genealogy research, the Michiganology database is the best free option.

Cities in Wexford County

Wexford County includes the city of Cadillac as its county seat. Other communities include Manton and several townships. All residents of Wexford County apply for marriage licenses at the clerk's office in Cadillac.

No cities in Wexford County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Wexford County is in the northern Lower Peninsula and borders these Michigan counties. Apply for your marriage license in the county where you reside.