FAQs
Vital Records
No. State law states that Birth records are confidential and are available only to the person or the parents of the person named in the record. Heirs, legal guardians, or legal representatives requesting a birth certificate will need additional documentation.
Death and marriage records are open to the public. Certified copies may be purchased from county clerks' offices.
Birth and Death records are filed in the county where the birth or death occurred. Marriage licenses are filed in the county where the license was applied for.
Adopted persons' birth certificates are filed at the Michigan Department of Community Health in Lansing. Also recorded in Lansing are records of birth that occurred prior to September 30, 1978 if both parents were not married at the time of the birth.
You can either appear in person, or request the record in writing by mail or online. Picture ID is required in order to issue a certified copy of a record.
In-person requests can almost always be processed while you wait. If a request is received via mail or online, we do our best to get it back in the mail the same day.
Marriage Licenses
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply for a marriage license.
There is a 3-day waiting period after you apply for the license.
Identification, both parties Birth Certificates, and if either party has been previously married the singed Judgment of Divorce (if there is more than one previous marriage, we only need to see the most recent Judgment).
30 days after the license is issued.
$20.00 for Mason County residents; $30.00 for out-of-state applicants.
No. One of the parties may apply provided they know all of the required information for both people.
If you are Michigan resident, you will apply for the license in the county in which you reside. If you are both residents and you live in different counties, you may apply in either county. The license can be used anywhere in the state. If you are both non-residents but want to be married in Michigan, you must apply in the county in which the wedding will take place.
Assumed Names for Businesses
The fee is $16.00 for a new DBA, $14.00 for a renewal and the certificate needs to be renewed every 5 years.
Michigan law (MCL 445.1) requires that a SOLE PROPRIETOR OR CO-PARTNERSHIP file their business name (if other than the real name of the person) at the county clerk's office. The purpose of the law is to place on Public Record who is conducting or transacting business under an assumed name.
There are a number of regulations that apply when a name is chosen. The Co-partnership Act and Fictitious Name Act require that the name of a sole proprietorship or co-partnership cannot be the same or similar to a name already on file with the county so as to cause confusion or deception. It is the duty of the county clerk to approve or disapprove a name selection.
When you file an assumed name, you have to file in each county in which you will be doing business.
If you find that someone else is using the same name you will need to do research to find out how long they have been using that name. If they have been in business for a long time, you might want to change your assumed name so there is no confusion to the public. Filing your business name does not create substantive rights to the use of that name.
If you are incorporated, the ONLY place you should file an assumed name is with the State of Michigan; the same as your Articles of Incorporation. If your bank is advising you that you need a DBA with the county, suggest that the bank call the Corporation Division for verification of this information.
No. A person who is at least 18 years of age is an adult of legal age for purposes of signing contracts.