Find a Marriage License in Lakeville

Lakeville residents apply for a marriage license through Dakota County, not through the city. The city of Lakeville does not issue marriage licenses. Dakota County runs several license centers across the south metro, and there is one in Lakeville at 17685 Juniper Path. Both people who plan to marry must come in together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $125 fee. You can search Lakeville area marriage records for free at moms.mn.gov, the state's official marriage index.

Dakota County License Center in Lakeville

Lakeville has its own Dakota County License Center. The address is 17685 Juniper Path, Lakeville, MN 55044. This is where Lakeville residents go to apply for a marriage license. You do not need to travel to the county seat in Hastings. The license center is part of Dakota County's network of service locations spread across the south metro.

Call ahead at 651-438-4312 to get current hours and any specific instructions. You can also email the office at dakotacountyvitals@co.dakota.mn.us. Dakota County runs additional license centers in West St. Paul, Burnsville, Rosemount, and Hastings. Any of those locations can also issue a Lakeville marriage license. More details on all locations are at co.dakota.mn.us.

The City of Lakeville website and Lakeville City Hall at 20195 Holyoke Ave do not handle marriage licenses. The city clerk's office at 952-985-4403 manages city records, elections, and permits. Marriage licenses are a county function. For the county's full marriage license instructions, go to co.dakota.mn.us/Permits/MarriageLicensesCertificates.

Lakeville Marriage License Image

The City of Lakeville government website serves residents with local information, though marriage licenses are handled by Dakota County.

Lakeville city offices handle city permits and records. For a marriage license, residents go to the Dakota County License Center at 17685 Juniper Path in Lakeville.

Requirements for a Lakeville Marriage License

Both people getting married must appear together at the license center. You each need a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport works. You also need your Social Security number. If either person was married before, you must bring proof the prior marriage ended. A divorce decree or a death certificate is what the county needs to see.

Age matters here. Both people must be 18 or older to apply without restrictions. A 16 or 17 year old can apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.04. No one younger than 16 may receive a marriage license in Minnesota.

There is no residency rule. You can apply in any Minnesota county, no matter where you live. A couple from Iowa or Wisconsin can walk into the Lakeville license center and get a Minnesota marriage license. The wedding itself must take place within Minnesota state borders. Under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.08, the license is valid for six months from the date of issue.

Note: You can get married in any county in Minnesota, even if that is not where you applied for the license.

Fees for a Marriage License in Lakeville

Dakota County charges $125 for a standard marriage license. If both applicants complete at least 12 hours of premarital education from an approved program, the fee drops to $50. You must bring proof of the class when you apply. The county accepts that documentation to grant the reduced rate.

There is no waiting period. Minnesota eliminated the 5-day waiting rule in September 2016. Once you apply and pay, you can pick up your license and get married right away. The license expires after six months. If you do not use it before then, it is void and you must pay the fee again to get a new one.

Fees are set by the county. Confirm the current amounts at co.dakota.mn.us before your visit since they can change.

Search Lakeville Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) is the free public index for marriage records across Minnesota. Dakota County participates in MOMS. You can search records at moms.mn.gov by entering a last name and first name. The index shows the names of both spouses, the county, and the date of the license. No account or login is needed. The service is free to use.

MOMS gives you index information, not a full copy of the license. To get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. The MDH fee for a certified copy is $9. You can order online, by mail, or in person. The MDH vital records page at health.state.mn.us has order forms and full instructions.

A directory of all county registrar offices is at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html. That page lists contact details for Dakota County and all other Minnesota counties. Local registrars can also issue certified copies for marriages that happened in their county.

Older Marriage Records for Lakeville Area

For historical marriage research covering Lakeville and the rest of Dakota County, the Minnesota Historical Society is a key resource. The MNHS marriage records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage explains what is available and how to find it. Dakota County records go back to the mid-1800s. MOMS covers most of that range online.

Older records that are not digitized may be held in physical form at the county or at the MNHS archives in St. Paul. The MNHS State Archives also holds territorial records from before Minnesota became a state in 1858. Researchers who need very old records can contact the MNHS directly or visit in person.

The MDH vital records page for marriage reporting at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/localreg/marriage.html explains how the state's registration system works and who holds what records. That is a good reference if you are not sure where to look first.

Nearby Cities

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

County Marriage License Office

Marriage license applications for Lakeville are handled by Dakota County. The local Dakota County License Center at 17685 Juniper Path, Lakeville, MN 55044 serves Lakeville residents.