Who Issues Marriage Licenses in Kent County?
Marriage licenses in Kent County are issued by the Kent County Clerk's Office at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 250, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Kent County covers Grand Rapids, the second largest city in Michigan. Grand Rapids has a strong religious community and is home to several Christian Reformed institutions — the marriage license office sees high volume particularly in June and July.
The $20 Fee
At $20.00, Kent County has one of the lowest marriage license fees in the Midwest. Michigan fees are set under MCL §600.2531 and counties have little discretion to increase them. Certified copies cost $16.00 each from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office.
Required Documents — What to Bring
Both applicants must appear together and each bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Must not be expired. Foreign passports accepted.
- Social Security Number: Required on the application. Physical card generally not required — just know your number.
- Prior marriage documentation: If either party has been divorced, provide the exact date and state of the divorce. For divorces within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Waiting Period
Michigan law (MCL §551.103) imposes a 3-day waiting period. Kent County Circuit Court judges routinely waive it upon petition. Contact the Kent County Circuit Court at (616) 632-5480 to ask about the current waiver procedure. The 33-day validity window is the more important constraint — apply no more than 4 weeks before your ceremony.
Michigan's validity window of 33 days is set by MCL §551.101 and is one of the most unusual in the country (most states use round numbers). Apply no more than 30 days before your ceremony. The combination of a 3-day wait and 33-day validity gives you a usable window of approximately days 4–30 before the ceremony.
License Validity — 33 days
Your Kent County marriage license is valid for 33 days from the date of issue, for ceremonies performed anywhere in Michigan. Plan your application date carefully. Use our expiration calculator and Wedding Date Planner to find your exact window.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant must complete and return the signed marriage license to the Kent County issuing office within the timeframe required by Michigan law (typically 10–30 days). After recording, certified copies of the marriage certificate are available for $16 each. Order at least 4–6 copies — you'll need them for Social Security, driver's license, passport, and bank account name changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Kent County Circuit Court judges grant waiting period waivers. Contact the circuit court at (616) 632-5480 for current procedure. Both parties typically need to appear. The process is quick and judges grant waivers for reasonable scheduling requests.
Most Michigan counties charge $20–$30 for a marriage license, with minimal variation. Wayne County (Detroit) and Oakland County (Pontiac) are similarly priced. Michigan's low fee structure is set by state statute.
Michigan generally recognizes marriages performed by ordained ministers of any religious denomination. Online ordinations through organizations like the Universal Life Church are recognized in most Michigan counties. To be safe, confirm with the Kent County Clerk before relying on this for your ceremony.
Government offices change hours, fees, and appointment policies without always updating their websites. Call the Kent County office directly the day before your visit to confirm current hours, fees, and whether you need an appointment.
Planning Your Visit to the County Clerk
The County Clerk handles marriage license applications for Kent County. Michigan's $20 fee is one of the lowest in the Midwest. Certified copies are $16 each from the Michigan Department of Health.
Michigan's 33-day validity is unusual — not 30, not 60. Apply no more than 4 weeks before your ceremony. The 3-day wait is waivable by the circuit court.
Step-by-Step: Application to Certified Copies
Here is the complete sequence for a Kent County marriage license, from the day you apply through receiving certified copies for name changes:
- Gather documents: Both parties need valid, unexpired photo IDs and their Social Security numbers. If either party has been previously married, have the divorce date and state ready (bring a certified decree if divorced within the past 6 months).
- Visit the office: Both parties appear together at the County Clerk. The application takes 15–25 minutes. Pay the $20 fee.
- License issued: You receive a physical paper marriage license. Keep it safe — it is the document your officiant will sign after the ceremony.
- Waiting period: 3 days (waivable by circuit court) from the moment of issuance. Plan your ceremony date accordingly.
- Ceremony anywhere in Michigan: Your license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Michigan within the 33 days validity window. Your officiant signs immediately after the ceremony.
- Return the license: The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within the timeframe required by Michigan law (typically 10–30 days). Confirm responsibility — you or your officiant.
- Order certified copies: After the marriage is recorded (2–4 weeks post-ceremony), order certified copies from the County Clerk or through VitalChek. Order at least 4–6 copies at once.
- Name changes: Use certified copies for Social Security, DMV, passport, and financial accounts. Start with Social Security first — other agencies verify against SSA records. See our name change guide for the complete sequence.
Use our Wedding Date Planner to calculate the exact window for applying in Michigan. Download the Day-Of Checklist PDF to bring to your appointment. Use the Cost Calculator to estimate your total expenses including certified copies and name change fees.