Marriage records for marriages filed in Bay County are available beginning the year of 1857.
- FIRST COPY: $15.00
- EACH ADDITIONAL COPY: $5.00
WHO CAN OBTAIN A COPY?
- Marriage licenses are public records available for anyone to request a certified copy.
MARRIAGE LICENSE ONLINE REQUEST
- Order a copy of a marriage license online through VitalChek.
- VitalChek charges an additional processing fee.
- A certified copy of your certificate will be mailed to you.
- Click here to request a marriage license online
MARRIAGE LICENSE MAIL-IN REQUEST
- Complete the Vital Records Request Form
- Also enclose the following:
- Self-addressed and stamped envelope.
- Check or money order payable to: Bay County Clerk.
- Mail request to:
- Bay County Clerk
- Kathleen B. Zanotti
- 515 Center Ave. Suite 101 Bay City, MI 48708
MARRIAGE INFORMATION
- MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE: $20.00
- MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE - OUT OF STATE RESIDENT: $30.00
- MARRIAGE WAIVER FEE: $100.00
- One or both applicants must appear in person. If only one applicant is present, then they must have all items listed below for both persons.
- Unexpired driver's license.
- Divorce decrees for all previous marriages.
- Death certificate of previous spouse if under 25 years from application.
- Each applicant must be at least 18 years old. However, a 16- or 17-year-old can apply as long as a parent appears in person at the time of application.
- Complete the Marriage Application Online - Click Here.
- The county clerk is required to provide applicants with educational materials on the transmission and prevention of venereal disease and HIV infection.
- In the county that you reside.
- If applicants live in separate counties, they may apply in either county.
- The ceremony may be performed anywhere within the State of Michigan.
- Out of state resident, but getting married in Michigan?
- Must apply in county in which ceremony is being performed.
- Application can be submitted by mail, but must be signed in front of a notary.
- One applicant must appear at the clerk's office before the ceremony, swear to the affidavit and pick up the license.
- There is a required 3-day waiting period to obtain a license after submitting an application.
- The 3 day waiting period may be waived for an additional fee and a valid reason for the waiver.
- Marriage must take place within 33 days from date of application.
- While the ceremony and reception are certainly the most memorable parts of a wedding, if you want it to be legal, the most important part is the signing of the marriage license after your ceremony.
- After your ceremony, the couple getting married, the two witnesses, and the officiant will need to sign all three of the marriage licenses.
- Complete the jurisdiction (city, township, or village) and county that the ceremony took place.
- Complete the date that the ceremony took place. The officiant will need to both sign their name and print their name and title.
- The officiant will need to complete their mailing address.
- If they are affiliated with a church they can use that address. If not, list their home address.
- Each witness will need to both sign and print their name.
- Each witness must be over 18.
- Each marriage applicant will need to sign and print their name.
- If either applicant will be assuming the last name of the other, sign and print with the new last name.
- The couple or officiant will need to return the two completed certified copies to the Bay County Clerk's office.
- The certified copies can be returned in-person or by mail.
- The couple keeps the third copy with the gold seal.
