Blaine Marriage License and Records

Blaine residents apply for a marriage license through Anoka County. The city of Blaine does not issue marriage licenses. Anoka County runs a license center right in Blaine at 10995 Club West Pkwy, making it easy to apply without a long drive. Both people must come in together, show valid ID, and pay the fee. To search existing marriage records for the Blaine area, use the free Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov.

Anoka County Blaine License Center

The Anoka County License Center in Blaine is at 10995 Club West Pkwy, Blaine, MN 55449. This is a full-service location that handles marriage licenses along with other county services. Both applicants must be present when you apply. Call 763-324-1360 before you visit to get current hours. Anoka County also has centers in Anoka, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Ham Lake, and Ramsey. You can apply at any of these locations.

The main Anoka County Government Center in Anoka serves as the primary office for vital records. Its address is 2100 3rd Ave, Suite 119, Anoka, MN 55303. For full details on marriage license requirements, visit anokacountymn.gov/131/Marriage-License. A list of all Anoka County license center locations is at anokacountymn.gov/129/License-Centers.

Blaine City Hall at 10801 Town Square Dr NE and the Blaine City Clerk do not handle marriage license applications. Those offices manage city permits, council records, and local government functions. The City of Blaine website has city government information but does not cover county services like marriage licenses.

Blaine Marriage License Application

The City of Blaine government site helps residents find local services, but the marriage license process runs through Anoka County.

For a marriage license, Blaine residents visit the Anoka County License Center at 10995 Club West Pkwy, just a short drive from Blaine City Hall.

What to Bring When You Apply

Both people who plan to marry must appear in person. Each person needs a valid, current photo ID. A state driver's license, non-driver ID card, or passport all qualify. You also need to have your Social Security number ready. Most people do not have to bring the card itself, but you need to know the number.

If you were married before, bring proof of how that marriage ended. A final divorce decree or a death certificate works. The county needs to see this before issuing a new license. This requirement applies to both people in the application. Under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.03, certain prior marriages must be dissolved before a new license is valid.

Both applicants must be at least 18. A 16 or 17 year old needs written consent from a parent or guardian under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.04. Applicants younger than 16 cannot get a marriage license in Minnesota. There is no blood test requirement and no residency requirement. Anyone can apply in any Minnesota county, regardless of where they live.

Note: Minnesota law does not require you to marry in the same county where you got your license. You can marry anywhere in Minnesota.

Fees and Timing

The standard fee for a marriage license in Anoka County is $125. If both applicants finish at least 12 hours of premarital education from an approved program, the fee goes down to $50. You need to show proof of the course when you apply. The license itself is ready the same day you apply. Minnesota has no waiting period. The old 5-day wait was removed in 2016.

The license is good for six months. If your wedding date is more than six months away, wait to apply. A license that expires before you use it is worthless, and you will have to pay the fee again. Plan your application date accordingly.

Any Minnesota county can issue your license. You can apply at the Blaine center even if you plan to marry in Duluth or Rochester. The license is valid statewide as long as the wedding takes place in Minnesota.

Search Blaine Marriage Records

Anoka County participates in the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS), so Blaine area marriage records are searchable online. Go to moms.mn.gov and enter a last name to start. You can also add a first name to narrow the results. The index shows both spouses' names, the county, and the license date. MOMS is free to use and does not require an account. Anoka County records go back to the late 1800s on MOMS.

MOMS is an index, not a full document viewer. It shows you that a license was issued, but it does not show the full text of the certificate. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, you must order one through the Minnesota Department of Health. The MDH charges $9 per certified copy. Their vital records page at health.state.mn.us has order forms and instructions for mail or in-person requests.

The full county registrar directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html lists contact details for Anoka County and all other Minnesota counties. Local registrars can also issue certified copies of records from their county.

Older Blaine and Anoka County Records

Marriage records for the Blaine area that go back further than what MOMS shows can often be found through the Minnesota Historical Society. The MNHS guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage explains what is available and how to access older records. Some Anoka County records from the late 1800s are in the MOMS system. Pre-statehood records from the territorial period are held at the MNHS State Archives in St. Paul.

The MDH marriage reporting page explains how local registration works in Minnesota and who holds which records. If you are looking for a record from many decades ago and it is not on MOMS, that page can point you to the right office.

Nearby Cities

These Minnesota cities also route marriage license applications through their county offices.

County Marriage License Office

Marriage license applications for Blaine are handled by Anoka County. The Blaine License Center at 10995 Club West Pkwy, Blaine, MN 55449 is the closest Anoka County location for most Blaine residents.