Marriage License Records in Clearwater County

Clearwater County marriage licenses are issued by the Clearwater County Recorder in Bagley, in the northwest corner of Minnesota. Marriage records for this county begin in 1903, the year after Clearwater County was officially created. You can search those records through the state's MOMS system, and you can apply for a new license at the recorder's office in Bagley.

Clearwater County Recorder Office

The Clearwater County Recorder is located at 213 Main Ave N, Bagley, MN 56621. The phone number is 218-694-6150. Both people who plan to marry must appear in person to apply. Each applicant needs a valid photo ID. If either person was previously married, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. The recorder will need to see that before issuing a license.

The standard fee is $115 to $125. If both applicants complete at least 12 hours of premarital education with a qualified provider, the fee drops to $40 to $50. Written proof from the provider must be presented at the time you apply. The license is valid for six months from the issue date. There is no waiting period, and the license can be used anywhere in Minnesota, not just in Clearwater County.

Clearwater County was created in 1902, which means official county records, including marriage licenses, start in 1903. Additional vital records information is available on the Clearwater County Vital Records page.

Note: Clearwater County is rural and lightly staffed, so calling 218-694-6150 before your visit is a good idea to confirm hours and availability.

Search Clearwater County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System indexes Clearwater County marriage records from 1903 to the present. MOMS is free and public. You search by name or date and filter by county. Results include the names of both parties, the date of the license, and the county of record. MOMS does not provide a copy of the license document itself.

To get a certified copy of a Clearwater County marriage certificate, contact the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records. The fee is $9 per copy. Orders go by mail or online. MDH copies carry a state seal and are accepted for legal purposes including name changes, insurance, and passport applications. The MDH county registrar directory at health.state.mn.us lists direct contact info for the Clearwater County Recorder if you prefer to go through the county office.

Clearwater County and Minnesota Marriage Law

All Minnesota counties operate under the same state statute. Minn. Stat. § 517.08 covers the application requirements: both parties provide full legal names, dates of birth, and prior marriage information. Minn. Stat. § 517.04 sets the minimum age at 18, with 16 to 17 allowed with parental consent. No residency is required. No blood test is needed. No waiting period exists.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Clearwater County Recorder within five days. The data is then forwarded to MDH and added to the statewide records system. That flow is how records end up searchable in MOMS. If the signed license is not returned promptly, there can be a gap in the official record, which can complicate getting a certified copy later. All the rules for officiants and license reporting are in Chapter 517 of Minnesota law.

Historical Marriage Records Research

Because Clearwater County was not created until 1902, its marriage records start in 1903. Marriages in this area before 1902 would have been recorded in Polk County, from which Clearwater was carved. If you are researching pre-1902 marriages in northwest Minnesota, Polk County records may hold the data you need. The Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide explains where older records are kept and how to access them.

For international document needs, the Minnesota Secretary of State provides apostille certification at $5 per document. Learn more at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. This certifies that your Minnesota marriage certificate is valid so foreign governments will accept it.

Clearwater County Marriage License Screenshot

The MOMS system is the primary free search tool for Clearwater County marriage license records going back to the county's founding year of 1903.

MOMS covers Clearwater County along with 84 other Minnesota counties and is updated as new records come in from county recorders across the state.

The Minnesota statute on marriage license applications at § 517.08 is the legal authority that the Clearwater County Recorder uses when processing applications in Bagley.

Reading § 517.08 gives you a clear picture of what information the law requires on every Minnesota marriage license, including those filed in Clearwater County.

Cities in Clearwater County

Clearwater County's communities include Bagley, Shevlin, and Leonard. This is a rural county, and none of its communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage license applications are handled through the Clearwater County Recorder at 213 Main Ave N in Bagley.

Nearby Counties

If Bagley is not the most convenient option, you can apply in any Minnesota county recorder's office. These counties border Clearwater County.