Michigan Officiants Might Face Higher Penalty for Wedding Without a Marriage License

Lawmakers consider a higher penalty for officiating a wedding without a marriage license – but it’s already a misdemeanor 

 

Did you know it’s a misdemeanor for a Michigan wedding officiant to perform a ceremony without first receiving an official marriage license from the couple? The offense carries a $100 fine, or 90 days in jail (§ 551.106) – no small slap on the wrist. But lawmakers are considering raising the penalty even higher, to a whopping $500 fine.

 

The higher fine is part of a bill introduced last week by Senator Veronica Klinefelt [D] (SB0286), in connection (tie-barred) with another bill that establishes provisions for civil celebrants in the state (SB0285). 

 

Officiants: Track this bill’s progress to see when new fines might go into effect: Senate Bill 286 of 2025 via Michigan Legislature

Currently, the couple to be married must deliver a “properly issued [marriage] license” to their chosen wedding officiant before the ceremony takes place. The wedding officiant must confirm that the couple has a valid license in-hand on the day of the wedding. 

 

If an officiant performs a wedding without this step and the couple doesn’t have a valid marriage license, the officiant “is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by a fine of 100 dollars, or in default of payment, thereof, by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of 90 days.” 

 

Like we said, this is already no small slap on the wrist! And soon the penalities could be even higher.

 

Whether this bill passes or not, the message here is clear: it’s essential for Michigan wedding officiants to verify that the couple has a valid marriage license before performing their ceremony.  With this in mind, we've gathered a few tips below to help you officiate with confidence. 

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Tips to Avoid Missing Marriage License Penalties in Michigan

 

We recommend these best practices to avoid penalties and ensure that the couple has their marriage license with them on the day of the wedding: 

 

1. Ask the couple if they have already applied for their marriage license when you meet with them to plan the ceremony

 

2. Know the marriage license laws in your state:

 

• At the time of writing, there is a 3-day waiting period in Michigan to receive a marriage license. That means that couples can pick their marriage license up 3 days after they submit their application. 
• Some clerk’s offices won’t allow couples to pick their license up on weekends or holidays; couples might need to plan around this to avoid delays.
• Marriage licenses are only valid for 33 days in Michigan; couples should not apply for their license yet if their ceremony is scheduled more than 33 days out.
• The wedding officiant must return the completed license within 10 days of the wedding to the clerk’s office where it was issued.
• Note: after the ceremony, the officiant must keep an accurate record of all marriages they perform in a book used expressly for that purpose.
• We strongly recommend that you confirm up-to-date marriage license guidelines with the issuing county clerk's office 

 

3. Remind the couple to apply for their license as the wedding date approaches – “your wedding can’t take place without a marriage license”

4. Ask to see the couple’s marriage license on the day of the wedding, before the ceremony starts; confirm that the names of the couple match those on the marriage certificate

5. After the ceremony is over and the couple has said their ‘I do’s, sign and complete the marriage license along with two adult witnesses

 

 

For more helpful tips on how to complete a marriage license, head to: 

 

• How To Fill Out A Marriage License As An Officiant
• Understanding the Wedding License Process
• An Introduction to the Marriage License
• What is the Difference Between a Marriage License and Marriage Certificate?

 

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Become a Wedding Officiant in Michigan with Online Ordination From American Marriage Ministries! 

 

• How To Get Ordained In Michigan: Officiant Process Guide

 

• How To Officiate a Wedding in Michigan
   

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