Find a Marriage License in Dakota County

Dakota County marriage licenses are issued through the county's License Centers, not a traditional county recorder office. Five locations spread across the county make it easy to apply close to home. The centers handle the full application process and keep records on file. MOMS indexes Dakota County marriage records going back to 1850. Whether you are applying for a new license or searching for an older record, this page covers what you need to know.

Dakota County License Centers

Dakota County handles marriage licenses through its License Center network rather than a single county recorder office. This setup gives residents five options for where to apply. All centers do the same thing: accept applications, issue licenses, and process marriage certificates. You choose the location that works best for you.

The five License Center locations are in Hastings, West St. Paul, Burnsville, Lakeville, and Rosemount. The main administrative address is 1590 Highway 55 in Hastings, which is the county seat. But you can apply at any of the five centers. The phone number for the license centers is 651-438-4312. You can also find location details at the Dakota County License Centers page.

Marriage license information, requirements, and the application process are all covered on the county's main marriage page at co.dakota.mn.us. It's worth checking there first before your visit so you know what to expect when you arrive.

The MDH county registrar directory also lists Dakota County contact information for vital records, including marriage licenses.

Dakota County Marriage License Requirements

Both people who plan to marry must go to a Dakota County License Center together. The county follows state law under Minn. Stat. § 517.08. There is no way to apply by mail or online. Personal appearance is required for both applicants at the same time.

What to bring to the License Center:

• Valid photo ID for each applicant (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
• Payment for the application fee

You must be at least 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or guardian at the time of application, as required by Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Minnesota has no residency requirement, so you do not need to live in Dakota County or anywhere in Minnesota to get a license here. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue.

There is no waiting period. Minnesota eliminated the waiting period in September 2016. You can use your license on the same day the License Center issues it. Plan your ceremony date accordingly. If the six months expire before the ceremony, you will need to apply for a new license.

Note: Marriages between close relatives are prohibited under Minn. Stat. § 517.03. If you have questions about whether your relationship falls under this rule, contact the License Center directly.

Fee Structure and Reduced Rate

The standard fee for a Dakota County marriage license is between $115 and $125. Dakota County may also offer a reduced fee option. Couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education program may pay $40 to $50 instead of the full rate. The course must be approved, and you need to bring proof of completion when you apply.

Call 651-438-4312 or check the county website to confirm the current fee before you come in. The License Centers may have specific payment requirements. Some accept only cash or check, others take cards. It's a small detail but worth confirming so your visit goes smoothly.

The MOMS vital statistics page for Minnesota also provides context on how fees are set statewide. Visit the MDH vital records page for background on how Minnesota manages marriage records at the state level.

Search Dakota County Marriage Records

Dakota County participates in the Minnesota Official Marriage System, or MOMS. The database at moms.mn.gov covers Dakota County records from 1850 to the present. That's more than 170 years of marriage licenses. The system is free and open to the public.

MOMS works by name. You enter a last name and optionally a first name. The system returns matches from the statewide index. Results show the names of both parties, the county where the license was issued, and the date. This is useful for genealogy research, legal verification, or personal records checks. You do not need to create an account or pay a fee to search.

For anything that doesn't appear in MOMS, or for full copies of the record rather than just the index entry, contact the License Centers at 651-438-4312 or use the marriage certificates page on the county website.

The MDH vital records page provides background on how the MOMS system works and which counties participate. Crow Wing, Dakota, and most other Minnesota counties are part of the index. Scott and Washington counties are the two exceptions statewide.

Certified Copies of Dakota County Marriage Certificates

After a wedding ceremony in Dakota County, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the License Center. The county then processes the license and submits a report to the Minnesota Department of Health. This creates the official state record. You can get a certified copy of that record from either the county or MDH.

Dakota County handles certified copy requests through the vital records section. The county marriage certificates page at co.dakota.mn.us explains how to order and what the fee is. This is often the fastest route since the county has direct access to its own records.

MDH also processes certified copy requests for any Minnesota marriage. The fee through MDH is $9. You can order through the MDH vital records website by mail or in person. Allow extra time for state processing if your timeline is flexible.

If you need a certified copy for use in another country, you will also need an apostille from the Minnesota Secretary of State. That process is described at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. The apostille fee is $5 per document.

Historical Dakota County Marriage Records

Dakota County's MOMS index starts in 1850. That's one of the earlier start dates in the state, reflecting the county's long history as one of the original Minnesota territories. Genealogy researchers can access these records at no cost through the MOMS portal. You can look up marriages by name and confirm dates, parties, and the county of issue.

For physical records or materials that fall outside the MOMS index, the Minnesota Historical Society is a useful resource. Their marriage records research guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage covers what's available from older collections and how to access archived materials. Some early Dakota County records may exist only in physical form at the county or the Historical Society.

The state's vital records office also maintains a connection to county-level registrars. If you can't find a record through MOMS and the county can't locate it either, MDH may be able to help trace it through their own archives. Contact information for both MDH and the Dakota County License Centers is listed above.

The state marriage statute page at revisor.mn.gov has the full text of Chapter 517, which governs how marriages are conducted and recorded in Minnesota. It's useful background reading if you're dealing with a legal question about a marriage record.

Minnesota Vital Records and MOMS

Minnesota manages marriage records through a combination of county offices and the state Department of Health. The MDH vital records page shows the full picture of how local registrars like Dakota County's License Centers fit into the statewide system.

The MDH vital records page at health.state.mn.us is the main hub for state-level marriage record information. It covers certified copies, MOMS access, and how to request records from specific counties. This screenshot shows the page as it appeared during site research.

MDH's role is to maintain the statewide index and issue certified copies for any Minnesota marriage. Local county offices like Dakota County's License Centers handle the initial application and issue the license itself.

The MOMS system at moms.mn.gov is the free public interface for searching those records. It covers 85 of the state's 87 counties, including Dakota. This screenshot shows the MOMS search portal.

Start with MOMS for a quick search. If you need a certified document, go to the county or MDH. Both routes lead to the same official record.

Cities in Dakota County

Dakota County is one of the more densely populated counties in the state. It includes several large cities south of the Twin Cities metro area. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the License Centers, regardless of which city you call home.

Other communities in Dakota County include Hastings, Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Farmington, and Mendota Heights. All residents use the same Dakota County License Center network for marriage license applications.

Nearby Counties