Rochester Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Rochester are issued by Olmsted County, not the city. Residents of Rochester apply at the Olmsted County Vital Records office at 151 4th St SE, which is the same building that houses county government. The Rochester City Clerk handles city-level functions but does not issue marriage licenses. This page covers the application process, what to bring, how fees work, and how to search for marriage records tied to Rochester and Olmsted County.

Where to Get a License in Rochester

The Olmsted County Vital Records office is the place to go for a marriage license in Rochester. The address is 151 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The main phone number is 507-328-7500. This office handles all marriage licenses for Olmsted County, and Rochester is the county seat, so this is the primary location. Full details on what they need are on the Olmsted County marriage license page.

Rochester City Hall and the city clerk's office are at 201 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904, just down the street from the county vital records office. The Rochester City Clerk information is at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/city-clerk. While the city clerk cannot issue you a marriage license, they can help with other official city matters. The city government portal at rochestermn.gov has a broader overview of city services.

Rochester is Minnesota's third-largest city and sits entirely within Olmsted County. The county's vital records staff handle applications from residents across the county, including those from smaller communities outside of Rochester proper. Many couples from surrounding areas choose to apply at the Rochester office because of its central location and convenient hours.

The Olmsted County Vital Records page at olmstedcounty.gov/residents/licensing-permits-records/vital-records covers all types of vital records including birth, death, and marriage. It also lists any changes to office hours or requirements that may be in effect.

Application Requirements

Both people who plan to marry must be present in person at the Olmsted County office. You cannot submit an application by mail, online only, or through a proxy. Each applicant must bring a valid photo ID issued by a government. A driver's license, state ID, or passport are all acceptable. You will need to provide your Social Security number at the time of application.

Minnesota sets the minimum age at 18 for a marriage license without additional steps, per Minn. Stat. § 517.08. Those who are 16 or 17 years old may apply with written parental or guardian consent as required under Minn. Stat. § 517.04. No one under 16 may receive a marriage license in the state.

If either applicant was previously married, that prior marriage must be documented as legally ended. Bring a certified copy of the final divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased former spouse. The county clerk will check this document before moving forward with the license. Make sure it is a certified copy rather than a regular photocopy, as unofficial copies are not accepted.

Minnesota has no residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license. You do not need to live in Rochester or anywhere in Minnesota to apply at the Olmsted County office. The license is good for six months from the date of issue. There is no waiting period between getting the license and getting married. The ceremony must take place somewhere within Minnesota.

Note: The MDH county directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html lists contact details for Olmsted County and all other county registrars in the state.

Marriage License Fees in Rochester

Olmsted County charges in the $115 to $125 range for a standard marriage license. The exact current fee can be confirmed by calling 507-328-7500 before your visit. Payment is collected when you apply. The county typically accepts cash and checks, and some offices also take credit or debit cards. Ask when you call so you come prepared.

A reduced fee is available if both applicants have completed at least 12 hours of premarital education. The reduced rate drops to the $40 to $50 range. To qualify, you must present a certificate from the educator at the time of application. The certificate must be on official letterhead, must be notarized or bear a church seal, and must confirm that you both completed 12 hours of instruction that included communication and conflict resolution content. The educator must be a licensed therapist or an ordained minister.

Fees paid to the county are not refunded if you change your plans or if the license expires unused. If you need a new license after the six-month window, you apply and pay again.

Searching Rochester Marriage Records

Olmsted County is part of the Minnesota Official Marriage System, which means Rochester marriage records are searchable through moms.mn.gov. This statewide database is free to search. You can look up records by the name of either party. The results show you whether a record exists and may include the date of the marriage and the names involved. MOMS is maintained by the state and updated regularly with new records from participating counties.

The MOMS index gives you a way to confirm a marriage happened and find basic facts about it. If you need more than the index entry, you can request a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Certified copies are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health and cost $9 each. Details on how to order are at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords. You can also contact the Olmsted County Vital Records office directly at 507-328-7500 to ask about records held at the county level.

Below is a screenshot from the MDH vital records page, which serves as the statewide resource for certified marriage certificate copies.

This view of the MDH vital records site at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords shows the main entry point for ordering certified copies of Minnesota marriage certificates.

The MOMS database at moms.mn.gov is the primary search tool for Rochester and Olmsted County marriage records, with the index going back well into the 1800s.

Historical Records and Other Resources

For older Rochester marriage records, the Minnesota Historical Society is a strong resource. Their marriage records research guide is at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage. MNHS holds records going back to Minnesota's territorial days and can help you find marriages that predate the MOMS index or that appear in older formats like church registers or county record books. Their catalog is searchable online and staff can assist with remote research requests.

If you need a Minnesota marriage certificate authenticated for use in another country, the Secretary of State handles apostille requests. The fee is $5 per document. Instructions and forms are at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. This is a common step for couples with international ties or those who plan to live or work abroad.

Minnesota marriage law is found in Chapter 517 of the state statutes. The application process is governed by Minn. Stat. § 517.08, and requirements for who may perform a marriage ceremony are in Minn. Stat. § 517.07. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant must return the signed license to the county within five days after the ceremony. These rules apply statewide, including in Rochester and Olmsted County.

Nearby Cities

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

Olmsted County Marriage License Office

All marriage license applications for Rochester residents go through Olmsted County. Visit the county page for complete office hours, contact details, and additional vital records resources.