User:Mcbridelw/Sandbox 4

Finding U.S. Marriage Records Finding Michigan Marriage Records

Finding Michigan Marriage Records

 * 1805 Michigan laws required counties to record marriages
 * 1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state
 * An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance.

More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate.

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record:
 * Marriages before 1820
 * Marriages between 1805 to 1867
 * Marriages between 1867 to 1925
 * Marriages between 1926 to 1935
 * Marriages 1936 to Present
 * Marriage year unknown


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Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1820

 * Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
 * 1805 to 1820 very few records exist

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1820 to 1867
Search the index, then view the image of your ancestor's marriage record in the following database:

INDEX WITH IMAGES


 * 1820-1935 Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.

If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index, look for a substitute record which may give you marriage information. Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935
First Try: Searching the index

INDEX WITH IMAGES


 * 1820-1935 Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.

Then Try: Contacting the county clerk or the Michigan Department of Health

If your ancestor's marriage took place in one of the counties currently not included in the marriage index or if you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. Request a marriage record search and a copy of the marriage record. Or, contact the Michigan Department of Public Health. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.

You May Also Try: Locating a substitute record

If you are unable to locate a marriage record, substitute record may give you marriage information, also. Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present
Marriage registrations may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.


 * Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.


 * Copies of certificates may be ordered from the Michigan Department of Public Health.

When ordering MIchigan marriage records, ask for the marriage license application or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk. Locate county clerk information by selecting your county on the Michigan State Wiki page. Go Back to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

 * United States Record Selection Table
 * United States, How to Use Marriage Records
 * United States Marriage Records
 * United States Vital Records
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * Michigan Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)/Known Issues