St. Cloud Marriage License Search

St. Cloud residents apply for a marriage license through Stearns County, not the city. The Stearns County Recorder's office is located in the Stearns County Courthouse in downtown St. Cloud, which is convenient for most city residents. Both people getting married must appear in person, show valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. You can search St. Cloud and Stearns County marriage records online for free at moms.mn.gov, the Minnesota Official Marriage System.

Stearns County Recorder in St. Cloud

The Stearns County Recorder is the office that issues marriage licenses for St. Cloud and all of Stearns County. The office is at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303. St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County, so the courthouse and recorder's office are right in the city. Call 320-656-3850 to reach the recorder's office directly and ask about hours. The Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer's office at the same location can also be reached at 320-656-3900.

For full details on Stearns County marriage license requirements, visit stearnscountymn.gov/572/Marriage-License. The Stearns County Vital Records page at stearnscountymn.gov/573/Vital-Records covers related record requests including certified copies of past certificates.

St. Cloud City Hall at 400 2nd St S and the St. Cloud City Clerk at 1201 7th Street S (phone: 320-255-7210) handle city government matters but do not issue marriage licenses. The City of St. Cloud website covers local services. Marriage licenses are a county function in Minnesota. Go to the Stearns County Courthouse for your license.

St. Cloud Marriage License

The City of St. Cloud provides local government services to residents, while marriage licenses are issued through the Stearns County Recorder at the courthouse.

St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County, making the Stearns County Courthouse at 705 Courthouse Square the most convenient place for St. Cloud residents to apply for a marriage license.

Requirements for a St. Cloud Marriage License

Both people who plan to marry must come in together. You each need a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. The ID must be current and not expired. You also need to know your Social Security number. Most offices do not require you to bring the physical card, just know the number.

If either person was previously married, bring proof the prior marriage ended. This means a final divorce decree or a death certificate. The Stearns County Recorder needs to see this documentation before issuing a new license. Under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.03, certain prior marriages and relationships must be legally resolved before a new license can be granted.

Both people must be at least 18. A 16 or 17 year old can apply with written consent from a parent or guardian under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.04. No one younger than 16 can get a license. There is no residency requirement and no blood test. You do not have to live in St. Cloud or Stearns County to apply here. You can get married in any county in Minnesota once you have the license.

License Fees in Stearns County

The standard fee for a Stearns County marriage license is $115. That is slightly less than some metro counties. If both applicants complete at least 12 hours of premarital education from an approved program, the reduced fee is $40. You need to provide proof of the course at the time you apply. The reduction is not given after the fact.

Minnesota has no waiting period. The old 5-day wait was eliminated in September 2016. Once you apply and pay, you leave with your license the same day. It is good for six months. If you do not use it within that window, it expires. You would have to start over and pay again.

Confirm the current fee at stearnscountymn.gov before your visit. Fees are set by the county and occasionally change.

Searching St. Cloud Marriage Records

Stearns County is a MOMS participant. The Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov includes Stearns County records and allows free public searches. Enter a last name to start. Adding a first name narrows the results. MOMS shows both spouses' names, the county of issuance, and the license date. No login or account is needed. The search is free.

MOMS is an index tool. It does not provide a copy of the full certificate. To get an official certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. MDH charges $9 per certified copy. Order forms and mailing addresses are at health.state.mn.us. You can also check the MDH county registrar directory to contact the Stearns County office directly for records issued there.

Certified copies are often needed for legal name changes, updating financial accounts, or applying for a passport. Keep a certified copy somewhere safe after your wedding. Getting one later takes time and costs money.

Note: The MDH vital records page also has information on ordering certified copies for marriages that occurred in other states.

Historical St. Cloud and Stearns County Marriage Records

Older marriage records for St. Cloud and the rest of Stearns County are accessible through the Minnesota Historical Society. The MNHS marriage records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage describes what records exist and how to find ones that may not be in MOMS. Stearns County was organized in 1855, and some early records go back to the county's founding period. MOMS covers most of the digitized range, but physical records for older cases may be at the county or the MNHS archives.

The MNHS State Archives in St. Paul holds territorial-era records from before Minnesota statehood. Researchers with questions about very old Stearns County records can contact the MNHS for guidance. The MNHS library is open to the public and has staff who can help with genealogy and historical research.

The MDH marriage reporting page explains how local registration works across the state. It can help you figure out which office holds the record you are looking for if it is not turning up in MOMS.

Nearby Cities

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

County Marriage License Office

Marriage license applications for St. Cloud are handled by Stearns County. The Stearns County Recorder at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 serves all Stearns County residents, including those living in St. Cloud.