Duluth Marriage License Search

Marriage licenses in Duluth are issued by St. Louis County, not by the city. Duluth is the county seat of St. Louis County, so the main county office that handles marriage licenses is located right in the city. Residents apply at the St. Louis County Auditor-Treasurer-Recorder office at 1001 E Highway 2, Duluth. The Duluth City Clerk handles city government matters but does not issue marriage licenses. This page explains the application process, requirements, fees, and how to search for Duluth and St. Louis County marriage records.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Duluth

The St. Louis County Auditor-Treasurer-Recorder office at 1001 E Highway 2, Duluth, MN 55805 is where Duluth residents go for a marriage license. The main phone number is 218-726-2000. This office handles all marriage license applications for St. Louis County, and since Duluth is the county seat, it is the primary location for most applicants. Full details on requirements and procedures are at the St. Louis County marriage license page.

The broader Auditor-Treasurer-Recorder office information is at stlouiscountymn.gov/departments/auditor-treasurer-recorder. This office handles multiple functions beyond marriage licenses, and the staff there can help you figure out which window or section to go to when you arrive. St. Louis County is the largest county in Minnesota by area, so you may find the office busy depending on when you visit.

The Duluth City Clerk is at 411 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 55802. City clerk information is at duluthmn.gov/city-clerk. The city clerk handles city council records, official city documents, and other municipal functions, but it does not have authority to issue marriage licenses. If you want more context on city services in general, the Duluth city government site at duluthmn.gov covers the full range of what the city provides.

The screenshot below shows the Duluth city clerk office, which manages municipal records. Marriage licenses require a visit to the St. Louis County office at 1001 E Highway 2 instead.

This screenshot is from duluthmn.gov/city-clerk. City clerk services in Duluth are separate from St. Louis County vital records functions.

The Duluth city government portal at duluthmn.gov offers a broad look at city services. For a marriage license, head to the county office on E Highway 2.

Requirements for a Duluth Marriage License

Both parties must be present in person at the St. Louis County office. You cannot apply by phone, mail, or online alone. Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID from a government source, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You will also need to provide your Social Security number to the clerk. If you do not have a Social Security number, ask the office what alternative documentation they accept.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, both parties must be 18 or older to apply without extra requirements. Those who are 16 or 17 years old can apply with written consent from a parent or guardian, as specified in Minn. Stat. § 517.04. No one under 16 may receive a Minnesota marriage license.

If either applicant was previously married, that earlier marriage must be documented as ended. You will need a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of a former spouse. The county will review this document before processing your application. Bring the actual certified copy, not a regular photocopy. Documents from out of state are generally accepted if they are certified copies from the issuing court.

There is no Minnesota residency requirement. You do not have to live in Duluth or anywhere in Minnesota to apply at the St. Louis County office. Once issued, the license is valid for six months. There is no waiting period between getting the license and getting married. The wedding ceremony must take place somewhere within Minnesota. The MDH county registrar directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html lists St. Louis County contact details alongside every other county in the state.

Marriage License Fees in Duluth

St. Louis County charges in the $115 to $125 range for a standard marriage license. Call 218-726-2000 before your visit to confirm the exact current fee, since amounts can change based on county ordinance updates. Payment is due when you apply. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call so you arrive prepared.

Couples who complete premarital education can qualify for a reduced fee in the $40 to $50 range. To get this discount, bring a certificate from your premarital education provider when you come to apply. The certificate must be on official letterhead, must confirm that both of you completed at least 12 hours of instruction, and must cover topics like communication and conflict resolution. The educator must be a licensed therapist or an ordained minister. The document may also need to be notarized or bear a church seal depending on what St. Louis County requires.

Fees paid at the time of application are not refunded if you cancel your plans or if the six-month license window expires before the wedding takes place. If the license lapses, you would need to reapply and pay the fee again.

Searching Duluth Marriage Records

St. Louis County participates in MOMS, the Minnesota Official Marriage System. You can search Duluth and St. Louis County marriage records through moms.mn.gov at no charge. The MOMS index covers records going back many decades. You can search by name and see basic information like the parties involved and the date of the marriage. The system is updated regularly by the state with new records from participating counties across Minnesota.

If you need more than what the index shows, you can request a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health. Certified copies cost $9 each. Instructions for ordering are at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords. You can also reach out to the St. Louis County office directly at 218-726-2000 to ask about records held at the county level and what their process is for copy requests.

For historical research involving older Duluth marriages that may not appear fully in MOMS, the Minnesota Historical Society is a strong resource. Their marriage records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage covers what is available and how to access it. MNHS holds records going back to the territorial period, including church registers and other documents that contain marriage information outside the formal licensing system.

Note: If a Minnesota marriage certificate needs to be authenticated for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostilles at $5 per document. Details are at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille.

Minnesota Marriage Laws That Apply in Duluth

Minnesota marriage law is found in Chapter 517 of the state statutes. The section governing who may marry and what marriages are prohibited is Minn. Stat. § 517.03. Who may perform a ceremony is covered by Minn. Stat. § 517.07. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to St. Louis County within five days under Minn. Stat. § 517.13. None of these rules vary by city. Duluth follows the same statewide statutes as every other Minnesota community.

St. Louis County is a large and geographically diverse county. Duluth is the center of county government, but the county extends hundreds of miles to the north and west. If you have specific questions about how these rules apply to your situation, call the county office or consult a family law attorney licensed in Minnesota.

Nearby Cities

Other major Minnesota cities also route marriage licenses through their county recorders.

St. Louis County Marriage License Office

All marriage license applications for Duluth residents go through St. Louis County. Visit the county page for full office hours, contact details, and additional records resources.