Genesee County Marriage Record Search

The Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds allows the public to search marriage records because they are considered public records. These records are created when a marriage license is filed with the office following the couple’s wedding ceremony. According to MCL 551.18, both the original marriage certificate and the marriage records—prepared by the officiant and certified by the county clerk—are submitted to the Genesee County Circuit and District Court as evidence of the marriage. This process adds the couple’s marriage information to Genesee County court records.

To conduct a marriage record search, inquirers must provide either the name or the marriage date as well as a fee for the copy. These records are typically requested for medical insurance, name changes, property matters, or obtaining social benefits.

Are Marriage Records Public?

Yes, Michigan Compiled Law 333.2882(1) approves the public disclosure of marriage records. This law guarantees the release of marriage records by the Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds to members of the public upon request. However, marriages that aren’t public (according to MCL 551.201) are excluded from public records. The Clerk will only release such confidential documents to the subjects of records.

Types of Marriage Records in Genesee County

Below are some common types of marriage records available in Genesee County:

• Marriage license: This is an official document issued by the Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds to requesters. It is generated when a couple applies for a marriage license in person or by mail with the appropriate documentation and fees. After a marriage license is issued, the couple will be required to get married within 30 days. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant will need to file the marriage license at the Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds Office.
• Marriage verification: This record helps members of the public know if a couple’s marriage is on file in the state repository. It allows people to verify the couple’s name, marriage date and place, and filing date (MCL 333.2881(2)). Customers can request marriage verification from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). However, the Department will not issue a copy of the marriage record. They will only provide a stamp indicating whether the record is on file.
• Marriage certificate: This legal document proves a couple is married in Genesee County. The Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds makes this document available 2 weeks after the couple has gotten married.

How to Find Marriage Records in Genesee County

To find marriage records in Genesee County:

• Mail a Request for Verification of a Michigan Marriage Record to the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
• Make requests online, by mail, or in-person to the Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds’ Office
• Request these records online, by mail, by phone, in person, or using the drop-off box from the Michigan Vital Records Department
• Conduct marriage records research in person at the Michigan Library

Genesee County Marriage License Lookup

The Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds Vital Records Division provides certified copies of marriage licenses to members of the public. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $25, and an additional copy ordered simultaneously costs $10. Record seekers can place an order through the following means:

• Online: The Clerk has a Self-Service Web where individuals can order marriage licenses. Users can click the “Certified Copies Requests” to obtain certified copies of marriage licenses for a fee or the “Document Record Search” link to search for unofficial marriage information for free.
• By mail: Customers must complete the Vital Records Certified Copy Request Form and send it to the Division. The Form must be sent alongside the appropriate fees in the form of a money order and an acceptable photo ID.
• In-person: The Division attends to drop-in customers from Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Requesters must complete the pink form in the hallway before getting in line. In-person requests should be made at the following address:

Genesee County Administration Building
1101 Beach Street
First Floor
Flint, MI 48502

Where Do I Get A Certified Copy Of My Marriage Certificate

Individuals can obtain certified copies of marriage certificates online, by mail, or in person at the Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds Vital Records Division. A copy costs $25, and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Online requesters must use the Certified Copies Requests portal on the Self-Service Web to place an order. Mail and in-person requests require customers to complete a form. Note that the Vital Records Division does not open on Fridays, so all in-person requests should be scheduled between Monday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Get a Marriage Certificate Online in Genesee County

Record seekers can get certified copies of marriage certificates online from the Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds Vital Records Division. Online orders should be placed using the Division’s Certified Copies Requests portal. Customers must be willing to provide sufficient information that would be useful in locating the certificate. The current fee for marriage certificates is $25 per copy and $10 for each additional copy.

Find Public Marriage Records Free Online

Genesee County residents can obtain marriage records online for free on the Genesee County ClerkRegister of Deeds Vital Records Division’s Document Search portal. The search criteria required to process this search are name, marriage date, filing date, or instrument number. Information retrieved from this portal cannot be used for legal purposes. Therefore, users are permitted only to use them for unofficial purposes.

Record seekers can also use third-party websites to find public marriage records online without charges. Unfortunately, information on these sites is less reliable than those available on the Document Search portal. It might not even be up-to-date, but such sites provide marriage records across multiple jurisdictions. Conducting a free marriage search on third-party sites comes with its limitations. For example, users would not be allowed to access comprehensive information that could be essential for their search. They will be required to pay a small fee to do that.