In Michigan, it has cost the same $20 to apply for a marriage license since the 1960s.

Of that money, $15 goes to the county circuit court for domestic violence and child abuse family counseling services and the rest goes to the county general fund for everyday use, including covering the costs of printing and processing marriage licenses.

Now, some lawmakers in Lansing want to raise the marriage license fee to $50.

The same $15 would go to the circuit court for counseling services, but, if the bills end up with Whitmer’s signature, the remaining $35 would go to the county general fund.

County clerks say that additional money would help them cover the costs of processing and printing the marriage licenses. The current fee schedule doesn’t even cover counties’ costs, clerks say.

We can see the wisdom of raising the fees. Rare is the price that’s stayed the same for decades. If Michigan’s marriage license fee had risen with inflation, they would cost about $200. And it makes sense for fees to cover the cost of whatever function the fees are meant to support. That’s why you have fees in the first place.

But we also understand the burden that would place on Michiganders. To some, the additional $30 could mean quite a lot, especially in today’s era of high prices thanks to inflation. No one should feel like they can’t afford to marry the love of their life.

The law would continue to allow clerks to waive the fee in certain cases.

We urge readers to reach out to their representatives in Lansing and tell them whether you think the fee should be raised. And we urge those representatives to listen to their constituents before casting a vote.

— Alpena News