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Michigan Marriage License RequirementsBrand New in 2006As of January 2006, the marriage license/certificate forms provided by the state of Michigan to its counties include signature lines for the bride and groom. Prior to this time, the bride and groom signatures were not required. There has been some confusion - on the part of the county clerks' offices - as to the name that the bride should be signing. For example, Wayne County asks that the bride sign using her maiden name, while Oakland County wants the bride to sign with her "new" married name. Washtenaw County also requests that the bride sign the name she will use after the wedding, and Ingham County wants the bride's maiden name. In some cases, when quizzed, the county clerk office workers don't actually know which is preferred by the county - or state. The best way to resolve the dilemma is for both the bride and groom to sign their CURRENT LEGAL NAMES, which are the names that appear typed near the top of the license. There are, after all, grooms who take on the bride's maiden name as a hyphenated add-on to their own. And - there are brides who are still undecided as to whether or not they will change their last name to the groom's last name, hyphenate, or use their maiden name as a middle name and his name as a last name. The fact of the matter is, the marriage certificate does not have any legal bearing on one's name. It cannot and does not legally change a name. That is only done (for the bride) by displaying a copy of the marriage certificate to the Social Security Administration and the Secretary of State's Office (driver's license). The marriage certificate will simply show them that the woman has indeed married a man with the name she wants to use legally. Showing the marriage certificate of Joe Smith and Jane Doe will not allow Joe to become Joe Doe or Joe Doe-Smith, neither will it allow Jane to change her name to Jane Jones. That is because it is not a name-change document. It is just that the document is allowed to suffice for newly-married women who change their last names to their husbands' last names -- because there are so many women doing so. For any other name changes - you have to go to court and fill out other legal papers. Age GuidelinesThe legal age for marriage in Michigan is 18 years. Parental consent is required for those between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Where to ApplyIt is not necessary for both the bride and the groom to apply in person. Either one may apply for the marriage license by going to the county clerk's office of the county in which he/she resides. The license is then valid for a ceremony taking place anywhere in the state of Michigan. If your legal address is out-of-state, you must apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. What to Take AlongThe applicant must present a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, for both parties. Some counties may also require birth certificates. If either party was previously married, the applicant will need to know the date and location of any divorces and/or deaths of previous spouses. However, there is no need to produce the actual documents. Time LineThere is typically a three-day processing period, after which time, the license can be picked up in person. If it is to be mailed, add another week to the waiting period. With any luck, a couple in a time crunch may find that the clerk's office will prepare the license while they wait. The license is valid for 30 days after issue. FeesFees for marriage licenses differ with each county. Most charge about $20 or $30. Most counties provide the couple with 2 or 3 copies, one of which stays with the couple after the ceremony. That copy may, or may not be an "official" copy, depending on the issuing county. For example, Wayne County describes the couple's copy as a "souvenir copy", so to obtain an official copy (with the county stamp), the couple must return to the county office and pay an additional fee ($10 in Wayne County). Acceptable methods of payments vary between county offices. LegalitiesAll copies of the marriage license must be signed after the ceremony has taken place. The wedding officiant will check it over prior to the ceremony and then make sure it is signed afterward. It must be signed by the wedding officiant and by 2 witnesses over the age of 18 years. The wedding officiant will leave a copy with the bride and groom, and then mail the other copies back to the county. That's AllItems that may have been required in the past that are no longer necessary include: blood tests, medical check-ups, AIDS testing and classes, pre-marital counseling. DisclaimerLoveLines Weddings, Inc. assumes no responsibility for changes made to this information since this page was last published. Please confirm all details with the marriage licensing bureau of the individual county clerk's office. Updates to the information included here may be sent by clicking on the "email" link in the left border of this page. Thank you! Michigan County Clerk Office Locations
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A wedding officiant may also be referred to as a: celebrant, clergy, officiator, officiate, official, pastor, preacher, wedding minister, minister, magistrate, justice of the peace, JP, priest, judge, facilitator, counselor and rabbi. Rev. Elaine Radloff is a Michigan wedding officiant, MI wedding officiant, (a non-denominational minister) who can officiate your ceremony if you are getting married in Michigan, are having a wedding in Michigan, are having a MI wedding or are wanting to get married in Michigan. Rev. Elaine will write and perform a wedding ceremony (marriage ceremony) or vows renewal (vow renewals) ceremony with as much of your input as you would like. Elaine performs indoor weddings and outdoor weddings in Michigan. Printed ceremony programs are also available. A sample wedding ceremony is included in a packet mailed to you. Also please remember that getting married online, getting married on the web, or getting married on the Internet, is not legal. Rev. Elaine Radloff will marry you in person and sign your marriage license so it is a legal marriage, a legal wedding.
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