Access Woodbury Marriage License Info

Woodbury residents who need a marriage license apply at Washington County, not at city hall. Washington County Taxpayer Services handles marriage licenses for all of Washington County, including Woodbury, from their office in Stillwater. There is one important difference between Washington County and most other Minnesota counties: Washington County does not participate in the statewide MOMS database. To search marriage records from Woodbury, you contact the county directly. This page covers the application process, fees, requirements, and how to find records.

Washington County Office for Woodbury Residents

The Washington County Taxpayer Services office at 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 is where Woodbury residents go to get a marriage license. The phone number is 651-430-6755. Stillwater is the county seat of Washington County, and this is the main office for all vital statistics functions in the county. The county services page at washingtoncountymn.gov/departments/taxpayer-services-vital-statistics has up-to-date hours and any additional details you may need before you visit.

Woodbury City Hall is at 8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125. The Woodbury city clerk information is at woodburymn.gov/city-clerk. The city clerk handles municipal matters such as city council documents and local permits, but it does not issue marriage licenses. That function belongs entirely to Washington County. The Woodbury city government site at woodburymn.gov covers the range of city services, though marriage licensing is not among them.

Woodbury is one of the fastest-growing cities in Minnesota and sits in the western part of Washington County. The county seat of Stillwater is about 15 miles north of Woodbury. Woodbury residents who need a license plan for a drive to Stillwater or arrange their schedule to visit the county office during business hours. If you have questions about what to bring or whether an appointment is needed, call 651-430-6755 first.

The screenshot below shows the Woodbury city government site. This is a good resource for city services, but marriage licenses require a separate visit to Washington County in Stillwater.

This screenshot is from woodburymn.gov. Marriage license applications go to Washington County Taxpayer Services at 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater, not to Woodbury city hall.

Requirements for a Woodbury Marriage License

Both parties must appear in person at the Washington County office in Stillwater. You cannot apply by mail or online alone, and you cannot send a representative. Each person must have a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. You will also need to provide your Social Security number. If either person does not have a Social Security number, ask the county office in advance what they will accept in its place.

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

If either applicant was married before, the prior marriage must be documented as legally ended. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. The clerk will review this before processing your application. Regular photocopies are not accepted. Out-of-state divorce decrees are generally fine as long as they are certified copies from the court that issued them.

There is no residency requirement in Minnesota. You do not have to live in Woodbury or anywhere in Minnesota to apply here. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. There is no waiting period. You can legally marry the same day you receive the license. The ceremony must take place somewhere within Minnesota per state law.

Fees at Washington County

Washington County charges in the $115 to $125 range for a standard marriage license. Call 651-430-6755 before your visit to confirm the exact current fee, since amounts are set by county ordinance and can change. Payment is due when you apply. Ask about accepted payment methods when you call so you are prepared when you arrive.

If both applicants complete at least 12 hours of premarital education before applying, you may qualify for a reduced fee in the $40 to $50 range. To get this lower rate, bring a certificate from the educator who provided the instruction. The certificate must be on official letterhead and must state that both of you completed 12 hours of instruction covering communication and conflict resolution. The educator must be a licensed therapist or an ordained minister. Washington County may also require the certificate to be notarized or to bear a church seal. Confirm the exact format required when you call.

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

Searching Woodbury Marriage Records

This is where Woodbury differs from most Minnesota cities. Washington County does not participate in MOMS, the Minnesota Official Marriage System. The statewide MOMS database at moms.mn.gov does not include Washington County records. Searching there will not return results for marriages licensed in Woodbury or anywhere else in Washington County.

To search for a marriage record tied to Woodbury, you need to contact the Washington County Taxpayer Services office directly. Call 651-430-6755 and ask about their records search process. The county maintains its own system for tracking marriage licenses and vital statistics. Staff there can tell you whether a record exists and what you need to do to get a copy.

Certified copies of marriage certificates are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health for $9 each, regardless of which county the license was from. The MDH vital records page at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords covers how to order. The MDH county directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html lists Washington County contact details so you can reach the right person at the county office.

For historical records, the Minnesota Historical Society holds marriage documents going back to Minnesota's territorial era. Their research guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage describes what is available and how to access it. This is especially useful for older Washington County marriages that may not appear in any digital index.

Note: If you need a Minnesota marriage certificate authenticated for use in another country, the Secretary of State handles apostille requests at $5 per document. Information is at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille.

Minnesota Marriage Laws in Woodbury

Woodbury follows state law on all matters related to marriage licensing. The main statute governing the application process is Minn. Stat. § 517.08. Prohibited marriages are described in Minn. Stat. § 517.03. Who may perform a marriage ceremony is addressed in Minn. Stat. § 517.07. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to Washington County within five days under Minn. Stat. § 517.13.

Washington County's decision not to participate in MOMS is separate from these state law requirements. The licensing process itself follows Minnesota statutes in the same way as every other county. The difference is only in how records are stored and searched after the license has been issued and the ceremony has taken place. For any legal questions about your specific situation, contact the county office or consult a Minnesota family law attorney.

Nearby Cities

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

Washington County Marriage License Office

All marriage license applications for Woodbury residents go through Washington County. Visit the county page for full office hours, contact information, and guidance on the county's own records system.