Find Marriage License Records in Carver County

Carver County marriage licenses are issued by the Carver County Recorder in Chaska. You can search Carver County marriage records through the state's MOMS database going back to 1855. The county also offers an online pre-application system called TOMS that lets you start your application before your in-person visit, which can save time at the office.

Carver County Recorder Office

The Carver County Recorder is at 600 E 4th St, Chaska, MN 55318. The phone number is 952-361-1930. Both applicants must appear in person to get the license. Each person needs a valid photo ID. If you or your partner were married before, bring the final divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. The recorder will not issue a license without that paperwork.

Carver County has a notable advantage: it offers a pre-application system called TOMS, or The Online Marriage System. You can fill in your application details at home through the TOMS portal before your visit. This does not replace the in-person requirement, but it speeds things up once you arrive. You still pay and sign in person. The fee runs $115 to $125 at the standard rate, or $40 to $50 with documented proof of 12 hours of premarital education from a qualified provider.

Full details on the process are on the Carver County Marriage License page.

Note: Using the TOMS online pre-application is optional but recommended if you want to reduce wait time at the recorder's office in Chaska.

Search Carver County Marriage Records

Carver County marriage records go back to 1855 in the Minnesota Official Marriage System. That's one of the earliest start dates among Minnesota counties, which makes MOMS especially useful for genealogical work in this area. The database is free to search. You can look up records by name or by date range and filter by county.

MOMS gives you the index data: names, date, and county. It does not give you the full certificate document. For a certified copy, you can order from the Minnesota Department of Health at $9 per copy, or contact the Carver County Recorder directly. MDH copies are accepted for legal name changes, insurance, and passport applications. Orders can be placed by mail or online through MDH's website.

Minnesota Marriage License Laws

Minnesota statutes in Chapter 517 govern all marriage licenses in the state. The key points: both parties must be 18 or older, or 16 to 17 with parent or guardian consent. There is no waiting period in Minnesota as of September 1, 2016. You can marry the same day you get the license. There is also no residency rule, so you can apply in any county even if you live elsewhere.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, the license application must include both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, and prior marriage status. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Carver County Recorder within five days. The recorder then sends the data to the Minnesota Department of Health, which adds it to the state vital records system. That data eventually populates MOMS for public searches.

Note: The no-waiting-period rule applies statewide, so couples who get a license in Carver County can marry the same day without any delay.

Certified Copies and Apostille Services

If you need a certified copy of a Carver County marriage certificate, the Minnesota Department of Health is the main source. Copies cost $9 each. You can order online or by mail through MDH Vital Records. Allow several weeks for mail orders. Expedited options may be available for an extra fee.

If you need your marriage certificate authenticated for use abroad, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostille requests. The fee is $5 per document. You can find details and forms at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. This is common for couples who marry in Minnesota but have ties to another country or who plan to move abroad. The apostille certifies the document is valid so foreign governments will accept it.

Carver County Marriage Records Screenshot

The state's MOMS database lets you search Carver County marriage records online without a fee, with records indexed back to 1855.

MOMS is the fastest way to confirm whether a marriage license was issued in Carver County for a given name or date range.

For a broader view of Minnesota's marriage statutes, the Chapter 517 statutes page on the Minnesota Legislature's site lays out all relevant laws governing licenses, ceremonies, and record keeping.

Reading Chapter 517 can answer questions about prohibited marriages, license requirements, and officiant rules that apply in Carver County and across the state.

Cities in Carver County

Carver County includes cities such as Chaska, Chanhassen, and Waconia. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents in Carver County apply for a marriage license through the Carver County Recorder at 600 E 4th St in Chaska.

Nearby Counties

You can apply for a Minnesota marriage license in any county. The offices below are the closest county recorder offices to Carver County.