Benton County Marriage License Records
Benton County marriage license records are held by the County Recorder in Foley, with records going back to 1850. The office issues new licenses and handles vital records requests. One thing to know before you go: Benton County does not accept credit cards, so bring cash or a check. This page covers all the details you need to get a marriage license or search historical records in Benton County, Minnesota.
Benton County Overview
Benton County Recorder Office
The Benton County Recorder is at 531 Dewey St in Foley, MN. The office phone is 320-968-5037. Staff handle marriage license applications and maintain vital records for the county. The Benton County Recorder page is the best place to check current hours before you make the trip to Foley. The county's marriage license page has specific details on requirements and what to bring.
Benton County's records go back to 1850. That makes this one of the older indexed county archives in the state. The MOMS system covers Benton County records from that year forward. For in-person requests, contact the Recorder directly. The office also handles certified copies for people who need legal proof of their marriage.
| Office | Benton County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 531 Dewey St, Foley, MN 56329 |
| Phone | 320-968-5037 |
| Records From | 1850 to current |
| Payment | Cash or check only. No credit cards accepted. |
Benton County Recorder at a Glance
The screenshot below shows the Benton County Recorder's official page. You can use this page to confirm current office hours, find specific staff contacts, and verify what the office needs from you before you come in for a marriage license.
The Recorder page also links to the county's marriage license information, certified copy request process, and other vital records services available in Foley.
How to Get a Marriage License in Benton County
Both applicants must appear at the Benton County Recorder's office together. You cannot send someone in your place unless the absent party has a valid Power of Attorney. Each person needs to show a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all qualify. Social Security numbers are also required. The clerk will fill out the application with you at the counter.
If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or the death certificate that ended that marriage. The clerk must see this document before a new license can be issued. Once your paperwork is in order and the fee is paid, the license is issued right away. There is no waiting period in Minnesota. You can marry on the same day you get the license.
Minnesota removed its mandatory waiting period on September 1, 2016. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, any eligible couple can apply for a license at any county in the state, regardless of where they live. The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued. No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement.
Age rules follow Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Both applicants must be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply only with written parent or guardian consent.
Benton County Marriage License Fee
The fee in Benton County is $125. That is slightly higher than the $115 charged by many other Minnesota counties. You must pay in cash or by check. Benton County does not accept credit cards. This is an important detail to plan for before your visit. Bring enough cash or a check made out to the county.
A reduced fee is available for couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education course before applying. With proof of completion, the fee drops to around $40 to $50. The course must meet Minnesota's standards. Call 320-968-5037 to ask what documentation the office requires and to confirm whether a particular course qualifies. Bring the certificate with you on the day you apply since the discount is applied at the time of the transaction.
Note: Payment method is cash or check only. Plan ahead so you are not turned away at the counter.
Searching Benton County Marriage Records
Benton County marriage records are available through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). The online database is free and indexes Benton County records from 1850 to the present. That is a remarkable span of history for an online search tool. Enter a name and select Benton County to narrow your results. MOMS shows index data: names, date, and county of record. It does not display the full license document.
To get a certified copy of a marriage record, contact the Benton County Recorder at 320-968-5037 or visit 531 Dewey St in Foley. You can also order certified copies through the Minnesota Department of Health for $9 each. The MDH county registrar directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html lists Benton County's contact details. Requests can be submitted by mail through the MDH site at health.state.mn.us.
For historical research beyond what MOMS provides, the Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage holds older records on microfilm. Their collection is open to the public and is particularly useful for genealogy work on early Minnesota families. Benton County's records back to 1850 make it one of the more complete county archives in the MOMS system.
Certified Copies and Apostille
A certified copy of a Benton County marriage record is a legal document. You may need one for a name change, passport application, or benefits claim. The Recorder's office can provide copies of records they hold. The MDH can provide them for records going back to when the state began collecting marriage certificates.
MDH charges $9 per certified copy. Their vital records page at health.state.mn.us explains how to order. If you need the document authenticated for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostille services at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. The fee is $5 per document. You must have a certified copy before you can get an apostille.
The MDH marriage reporting page at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/localreg/marriage.html describes how marriage records flow from county offices like Benton's to the state level. After the county records the returned license, MDH receives a copy for the statewide archive. That is why both offices can provide certified copies of the same record.
Cities in Benton County
Benton County has no cities over the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All communities in the county, including Foley, Sauk Rapids, and St. Cloud (the portion in Benton County), file marriage licenses through the Benton County Recorder at the courthouse in Foley.
Nearby Counties
Benton County is in central Minnesota. You can apply for a marriage license at any Minnesota county office, so the nearest ones are good options depending on where you are located.