Marriage Applications, License and Certificates

Apply for a Marriage License


As of August 1, 2009 BOTH parties will need to be present to apply for a marriage license. Please bring identification with you (driver's license, identification card or passport).  You will be asked for your full given name, address, county of residence, age, date of birth, country or state of birth and social security number.

Either or both parties may change their names on the application provided there have been no felony convictions after August 1, 2000. (See Minnesota State Statutes 259.13)

Competent persons 18 years of age or older may contract for marriage. Children over the age of 16 and under the age of 18 must have both parents' permission. If both parents can't come into the office, we can provide a form for the absent parent to sign in front of a notary. These must be approved by a Minnesota judge and a waiver must be signed by the judge. If either applicant is under age 16 the judge's waiver must come from the county where the applicant lives.
 

NEW  Electronic Marriage Application 


Marriage licenses can be obtained from the Recorder's office located on the 2nd floor at the Wright County Government Center.  The application process can be time consuming.  Please arrive at the Recorder's office by 4 pm to assure adequate time.  If you would like to start the process, you may begin by completing an eMarriage Application at home or you can use the public terminals located in our office.  We will print the application when you arrive to apply for the license.  Both parties must appear in person to complete the application process. 
 
As of August 1, 2016, there is no waiting period after application; however, our office is not open Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays.  The license is valid for a period of 6 months and valid only in the State of Minnesota.  There is no refund if the license is not uses within the 6 months. 

If you were previously married and your last spouse is deceased, we will need the date and county of death.  If your last marriage ended in divorce we will need the dissolution date, county/state and the type of court that it occurred.
 

Marriage Application Fees (Cash or Check - no refunds)

    Regular Application      $115.00
    Reduced Application     $40.00 if you have completed 12 hours of premarital education;

Minnesota law provides for a reduced marriage application/license fee when a couple completes 12 hours of premarital education.  "The premarital education must be provided by a licensed or ordained minister or the minister's designee, a person authorized to solemnize marriages under section 517.18, or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under section 148B.33"  Minn. Stat. 517.08 subd. 1b(c). 

To obtain the reduced fee, applicants must provide a statement from the educator at the time of application. 

The educator's statement must meet the following requirements:
          
  1. Statement must be on the educator's letterhead
  2. Statement must be signed and dated by the educator, with the educator's signature notarized or "marked" with a church seal
  3. Statement must include legal names of both applicants and these names must be identical to the names on the marriage application(no nicknames)
  4. Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 517.08 subd. 1b(d)) specifically requires the following language be use in the Educator's Statement:"I, .......................... (name of educator), confirm that .......................... (names of both parties) received at least 12 hours of premarital education that included the use of a premarital inventory and the teaching of communication and conflict management skills.  I am a licensed or ordained minister, a person authorized to solemnize civil marriages under Minnesota Statutes, section 517.18, or a person licensed to practice marriage and family therapy under Minnesota Statutes, section 148B.33.
  5. Original signed educator's statement required
  6. Please see the attached "example" of the premarital education statement         
       

Marriage Certificates (Cash or Check)


     
    Certified Copy     $9.00  (Marriage Certificates obtained in the county where you originally applied for the license)  

There is a new website Minnesota Official Marriage (MOMS) that can assist you in locating where a marriage license was issued in Minnesota (most counties have current and historical data available on this site).

Credential of License or Ordination Filing

     Click here for more information
   
Questions?  Please contact our office at 763-682-7355.