Michigan Senate Bill SB0286

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/7/25
• Refer: 5/7/25
• Report Pass: 6/4/25
• Refer: 6/4/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Engrossed: 6/10/25
• Refer: 6/10/25

Caption

Family law: marriage and divorce; civil celebrant; provide for. Amends secs. 1, 4 & 6 of 1887 PA 128 (MCL 551.101 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 285'25

Summary

SB 286 amends Michigan’s marriage licensing and solemnization law, 1887 PA 128, to update the language governing who may officiate a marriage and what that officiant must do after the ceremony. The bill replaces older gendered and office-specific references with more modern terms, clarifying that a person authorized under MCL 551.7 may officiate a marriage, complete the marriage certificate, and maintain marriage records. It also continues the requirement that the officiant return the original license and certificate to the county clerk within 10 days and keep an accurate marriage record book. The bill also preserves the existing licensing framework for couples marrying in Michigan. Parties must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk in the county where one party resides, or, if both are nonresidents, from the county where the marriage will be performed. The officiant must not solemnize the marriage without a properly issued license, and the bill keeps the misdemeanor penalty for violations, including a fine of up to $500 or up to 90 days in jail. The measure is tied to SB 285, meaning it would not take effect unless that related bill is enacted.

Impact

SB 286 would amend sections 1, 4, and 6 of Michigan’s marriage statute, MCL 551.101 et seq., primarily by modernizing terminology and clarifying administrative duties for marriage officiants. It affects county clerks, clergy, magistrates, and other persons authorized to solemnize marriages, while leaving the core licensing and recordkeeping requirements in place. The bill does not create a new marriage process so much as update the statutory language and reinforce compliance obligations and penalties.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill had mixed but ultimately favorable support. It was reported favorably out of committee by a 5-2 vote and then passed the Senate on third reading by a narrower 22-15 vote, indicating that a majority supported the changes but a substantial minority opposed or had reservations. No committee transcripts were provided, so the record shows support in favor of updating the law, but not the detailed arguments behind that support.

Contention

The main points of contention appear to be the broader policy package tied to SB 285 and the changes to who may officiate marriages, rather than the clerical updates alone. Because SB 286 is tie-barred to SB 285, lawmakers likely viewed the bills as linked parts of a larger marriage-law reform effort. Opposition may have centered on the expansion or redefinition of authorized officiants, the modernization of marriage law language, or concerns about altering long-standing marriage procedures, while supporters likely emphasized clarity, consistency, and administrative modernization.