Sec. 2.
So far as its validity in law is concerned, marriage is a civil contract between a man and a woman, to which the consent of parties capable in law of contracting is essential. Consent alone is not enough to effectuate a legal marriage on and after January 1, 1957. Consent shall be followed by obtaining a license as required by section 1 of Act No. 128 of the Public Acts of 1887, being section 551.101 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or as provided for by section 1 of Act No. 180 of the Public Acts of 1897, being section 551.201 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and solemnization as authorized by sections 7 to 18 of this chapter.
History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 83 ;-- CL 1857, 3205 ;-- CL 1871, 4720 ;-- How. 6210 ;-- CL 1897, 8589 ;-- CL 1915, 11363 ;-- CL 1929, 12691 ;-- CL 1948, 551.2 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 44, Eff. Aug. 11, 1956 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 324, Imd. Eff. June 26, 1996