St. Paul Marriage License Lookup

St. Paul residents apply for a marriage license through Ramsey County, not through city hall. Minnesota law assigns marriage licensing to counties, so the Ramsey County Vital Records office at 90 W Plato Blvd handles all applications for people in St. Paul. The city clerk's office can answer general questions, but it does not process licenses. This page explains where to go, what you need, and how to find records after a marriage has taken place.

St. Paul Marriage License Office

The office that issues marriage licenses for St. Paul is the Ramsey County Vital Records division. The address is 90 W Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107. You can reach them by phone at 651-266-1333. This office handles all marriage license applications for everyone living in Ramsey County, which includes St. Paul and several surrounding communities. For complete details on what they require, visit ramseycountymn.gov/residents/licenses-permits-records/marriage-licenses.

The St. Paul City Clerk is located at 15 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102. You can find city clerk information at stpaul.gov/departments/city-clerk. The city clerk handles things like city council records and official city documents, but marriage licensing is a county function in Minnesota. If you go to the city clerk's office by mistake, they will send you to the Ramsey County office on Plato Blvd, which is just a short drive away.

St. Paul is the state capital, and it sits entirely within Ramsey County. The county is one of the most densely populated in Minnesota, and its vital records office processes a large number of license applications each year. Staff there are familiar with out-of-state applicants, international visitors, and situations involving prior marriages from other states or countries.

The screenshot below is from the St. Paul city clerk page, which illustrates the city's administrative services. Note that marriage licensing is routed to the county, not this office.

This screenshot is from stpaul.gov/departments/city-clerk. St. Paul city services and Ramsey County services are separate, though both serve the same residents.

What You Need to Apply

Both people who plan to get married must appear in person at the Ramsey County Vital Records office. You cannot apply by mail or send someone else in your place. Each person needs to bring a current, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You will also need your Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, the clerk can advise you on what alternative documentation is accepted.

The minimum age to marry in Minnesota is 18, as set out in Minn. Stat. § 517.08. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may apply with written parental or guardian consent under Minn. Stat. § 517.04. No one under 16 can get a Minnesota marriage license.

If you were previously married, you must show proof that the marriage ended. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. The county clerk will review this before issuing a new license. Make sure the document is a certified copy, not a photocopy. Ramsey County staff can tell you in advance what format is acceptable.

There is no residency requirement. You do not have to live in St. Paul, Ramsey County, or even Minnesota to apply here. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. Minnesota eliminated its waiting period on September 1, 2016, so you can get married the same day you receive the license. The marriage ceremony must happen somewhere in Minnesota.

Note: The Ramsey County Vital Records page at ramseycountymn.gov/residents/licenses-permits-records/vital-records has additional guidance on documents and procedures that may apply in less common situations.

Fees and Reduced Rate Options

The standard marriage license fee in Ramsey County falls in the $115 to $125 range. Confirm the exact amount when you call or visit, as fees are set by county ordinance and can be updated. Payment is due when you apply. Most offices accept cash and checks, and some accept cards. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call ahead.

You can get a reduced fee license if you and your partner complete at least 12 hours of premarital education before you apply. The reduced fee is typically in the $40 to $50 range. To claim this, bring a signed certificate from the educator who provided the course. The certificate must be on official letterhead, must state that you both completed 12 hours of instruction, and must cover communication skills and conflict resolution. The educator must be a licensed therapist or an ordained minister. The certificate also needs to be notarized or stamped with a church seal.

The fee is not refundable once paid. If your plans change after you apply, the county does not issue refunds. If your license expires before you use it, you would need to apply again and pay the fee again.

Searching St. Paul Marriage Records

Ramsey County participates in the Minnesota Official Marriage System, or MOMS, which you can access at moms.mn.gov. This is a free statewide database that lets you search for marriage records by name and county. The Ramsey County index in MOMS covers marriages going back many decades. If you are looking for a record of a marriage that took place in St. Paul, MOMS is the right starting point.

The MOMS search gives you index-level results. You can see whether a record exists, the names of both parties, and often the date of the marriage. To get a certified copy of the actual marriage certificate, you need to place a separate order. Certified copies are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health and cost $9 each. The MDH vital records page at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords explains how to order copies and what to include with your request.

You can also contact the Ramsey County Vital Records office directly at 651-266-1333 to ask about records in their files. The county holds the original license and related documents for marriages that were applied for in Ramsey County.

Historical St. Paul Marriage Records

St. Paul is the home of the Minnesota Historical Society, which is located at 345 W Kellogg Blvd in the state capital. MNHS holds marriage records going back to Minnesota's territorial period. Their research guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage covers what types of records exist and how to find them. This is an especially good resource for records that predate the MOMS index or for records where the MOMS entry is incomplete.

Researchers looking for older St. Paul marriages may also find useful information in church records, territorial documents, and county court records that MNHS has preserved. Their collections span many record types that touch on family history beyond just the formal marriage license system.

If you need a document authenticated for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostille requests at $5 per document. See sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille for forms and instructions. This is a common need for couples who have ties to other countries or who plan to live abroad.

Note: The full county directory of local registrars across Minnesota is at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html, which is useful if you need to track down records from outside Ramsey County.

Nearby Cities

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

Ramsey County Marriage License Office

All marriage license applications for St. Paul residents go through Ramsey County. Visit the county page for full office hours, additional contact details, and links to county resources.