When you think of quiet coast lines, charming beach towns, and hiking destinations, Michigan may not be what first comes to mind, which is exactly why it should be top of your list. This hidden oasis is beloved by many for its stunning coastlines, natural beauty, and adventurous spirit. If you’re looking for an elopement destination that’s off the beaten path – this is the hidden gem for you. The question remains, how to elope in Michigan? 

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done without the unnecessary stress! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required
• All inclusive Michigan elopement packages
• How to get a marriage certificate
• How to change your last name after marriage

How to Get your Marriage License

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to get married in Michigan, or really anywhere in the US, you need a marriage license. To get a license to wed in Michigan you’ll need:

• To be at least 18 years old
• Have a driver’s license or state ID
• Your certified birth certificate
• To appear in person with your partner (with your IDs) to complete the affidavit 
• Your social security number, the actual card is not required
• Your divorce decree, if applicable

Once you’ve done these things, you’ll wait three days for your marriage license to be legitimate. When you’re applying online, the waiting period begins when the application is submitted, and will be available to pick up on the third business day following the application submission. You will still need to appear in person to sign the affidavit, regardless if you apply online or not. Please note marriage licenses are not available for pick up on weekends and holidays. If you’re in an emergency situation and cannot wait three days for your license, there is an option to waive the waiting period for an additional fee.The fee changes per county but generally ranges from $5.00 – $30.00. Be sure to check your county’s website for specifics. Once you have your marriage license, it’s time to get hitched! Your license is good for 30 days from the date issued (or, 33 days after application,) so keep that timing in mind when planning your ceremony date. 

Let’s talk cost. Marriage license fees are county dependent. In Mackinac and Marquette counties, marriage licenses are $20.00 for in county residents and $30.00 for out of county residents. This is generally the range you’ll find in each county, but it’s important to check in your specific county for additional detail. 

You may be wondering if you need to be a resident of Michigan to marry in Michigan. We’re here to share the good news that no, you do not. Out-of -state individuals can get married in the Great Lake State, so long as they have a marriage license to be used in the county where the ceremony will take place.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

In Michigan, you will need an officiant and two or more witnesses who are at least 18 years old in order to get married. Pro tip: your witnesses can be your other vendors, like your photographer or On Site Helper. There are a few guardrails to consider for your officiant.  They must be an ordained minister, cleric, religious practitioner, magistrate, judge, or the mayor of a city in Michigan. All three of these individuals (officiant and witnesses) must be present during the exchange of your vows and the signing of your marriage license.

If finding an officiant seems like a tall task – don’t add the stress to your plate. When working with Simply Eloped, we coordinate your officiant for you! Please contact us for any questions you have on hiring an officiant.

All Inclusive Michigan Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Michigan elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in the Great Lake State. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. 

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

How to Change your Last Name in Michigan

• Complete, and get copies, of your marriage license: after your ceremony, you’ll need your two witnesses and officiant to sign your marriage license. From there, it must be returned to the County Clerks office within 10 days. Once you’ve done this step you can order your marriage certificates. They can be obtained in person, by mail or online depending on your county’s procedures and fees.
• Confirm your name as you declared it to be on your marriage license: Changed your last name to your married name on your marriage license? That’s the first step. This does not legally change your name, but it gets the process started. From there, you’ll still need to complete the name changing process. However, by confirming your name as you’d like it to appear on your marriage license, you’ll avoid having to petition for a name change. If you’ve selected the correct intended name, you’ll just need to contact the County Clerk’s office in the county where you got married. You’ll provide some personal information and the number of certificates you’d like to receive. They’ll let you know their preferred payment and delivery method. We recommend getting at least two certificates. This is because when changing your last name legally, you’ll need this document quite a bit, and it’s always beneficial to have a  back up for emergencies.
• Petition for a name change: If you did not write your name as declared post wedding on your marriage license, or if you’re seeking another type or name change, you’ll have to petition for it through court order. To do so, you’ll need to submit a correction application to the Changes Unit in the State Vital Records office, along with a fee of $50, payable by personal check or money order. You’ll also need a copy of your current, valid photo ID and a copy of a court order for documentation. The process to do this in Michigan is quite extensive, so we recommend viewing Michigan’s Government website resources for more details and next steps to make sure you are getting the most up to date information.
• Change your name on your Social Security Card: If you’re at this step, you’ve legally changed your last name in Michigan. Congrats! Now it’s time for your Social Security card. This requires filing an application with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is your first step in changing your last name federally, so these steps are the same state to state. You will fill out the proper application, make an appointment at your local social security office and bring your current forms of identification (drivers license, passport, birth certificate) and your name change document (marriage certificate or otherwise) with you. Look to your local social security office for additional guidance on what to bring to your appointment. Once your application is approved and the fees are paid, you’ll receive a new social security card with your new legal name by mail. 
• Change your name on your passport: After you’ve received your new social security card, which can take several weeks, you’re ready to change your name on your passport. The forms you will need to do so are dependent on a few factors, like whether your passport is expired or not. To find out which documents apply to you, go to Travel.State.Gov. This step is also at the federal level and stays consistent state to state. Once you have filled out the proper paperwork, you’ll need:
  • Your current passport
  • Your certified name change document (marriage license or otherwise)
  • A new color passport photo
  • Payment and other fees in the form of a check

Depending on your passport needs, you will either be able to submit everything by mail, or need to submit your documents in person. After submitting, a new passport will take several weeks to arrive. You’ll be able to track the progress of your application and passport online.

• Change your name on your license: Once you have received your new forms of identification, it’s time to update your driver’s license. To do so, you’ll make an appointment at the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. You can fill out the application online to get started. At your appointment, you’ll need to bring:
  • Proof of name change (marriage license or court order)
  • Current driver’s license
  • Your new Social Security card with your new last name

Once you’ve finished these five steps, the legal name change process is complete! Other name change items to consider at this point are things like car titles, insurance (health, car, renters,) employers, credit cards and more. While a rather lengthy process, it is digestible if you just take it step by step.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers. Looking for a location that’s currently not in our destination list? Let us know!

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026.

Written by Lisa Guglielmo

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at Simply Eloped. Having gotten married in 2022, she experienced the good (and not so good,) of traditional wedding planning. Here, she loves watching couples do their weddings their way.