Faribault County Marriage License Search

The Faribault County Recorder in Blue Earth handles all marriage license applications and keeps the county's official marriage records. Both applicants must appear in person, and the office offers genealogy research services that set it apart from many other county recorders in Minnesota. MOMS covers Faribault County marriage records going back to 1856. This page explains how to apply, what the fees are, how to search records, and how to get certified copies.

Faribault County Recorder

The Faribault County Recorder is located at 415 N Main St in Blue Earth, the county seat. The Recorder issues marriage licenses, files marriage certificates after the ceremony, and keeps all county vital records. One thing that makes this office stand out is that it offers dedicated genealogy research services. If you are digging into family history in south-central Minnesota, the Faribault County Recorder can assist directly.

The Recorder's main page is at faribaultcounty.org/departments/recorder. Their marriage license page at faribaultcounty.org/departments/recorder/marriage-license has the specifics for applying. The genealogy page at faribaultcounty.org/departments/recorder/genealogy describes the historical research services they offer. For many older records, working directly with the county Recorder may be faster and more productive than searching online alone.

The MDH registrar directory also lists Faribault County information. Use either source to confirm contact details before visiting.

Applying for a Marriage License in Faribault County

Both people who plan to marry must go to the Faribault County Recorder's office together. There is no option to apply separately or by mail. The process is governed by state law, specifically Minn. Stat. § 517.08. You apply in person, pay the fee, and the Recorder issues the license on the spot.

Both applicants need to bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, or passport all work. You also need to provide your Social Security numbers. If either person was previously married, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate from the prior marriage. You cannot substitute a photocopy of these documents; they need to be certified official copies.

Both parties must be 18 or older. If one applicant is 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must appear and give written consent in person. This requirement comes from Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Minnesota does not allow marriage below age 16 under any circumstances.

There is no waiting period. You can use the license on the day it is issued. It stays valid for six months. No residency requirement means you can get a Faribault County license even if you live somewhere else in Minnesota or out of state entirely. If your license expires before the ceremony, you have to apply again and pay a new fee.

Marriage License Fees

Faribault County charges between $115 and $125 for a standard marriage license. This is the fee most couples pay. A reduced rate may be available. If both applicants complete a 12-hour premarital education course from an approved provider before applying, the fee can drop to $40 to $50. You need to bring proof of completion when you apply.

Call the Recorder at 507-526-6250 to confirm the current fee and what payment the office accepts before you go. Some county offices take cash only or prefer check. Others accept cards. This is worth confirming in advance so your visit goes smoothly.

Note: The license fee does not cover certified copies of your marriage certificate after the wedding. Those are a separate cost, paid either to the county or to MDH when you request them.

Searching Faribault County Marriage Records

MOMS, the Minnesota Official Marriage System, is the primary online tool for searching marriage records. Faribault County is included in the index, with records going back to 1856. Search for free at moms.mn.gov. You enter a last name, optionally a first name, and browse the results. Records show both parties' names, the county, and the marriage date.

Beyond MOMS, the Faribault County Recorder's office offers genealogy research services directly. If you are working on a family history project or need to trace a marriage that may not appear in the online index, contacting the Recorder may be the best route. They have access to physical records that predate digital systems and may be able to help you find something that isn't in MOMS. The genealogy page at faribaultcounty.org describes what's available and how to request that kind of assistance.

The Minnesota Historical Society also maintains historical marriage record collections. Their research guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage explains what they hold and how to access it. For deep genealogy work in Faribault County going back before the Civil War era, the combination of MOMS, the county Recorder, and the Historical Society gives you a strong set of sources.

Certified Copy Requests

After a ceremony in Faribault County, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Recorder. The Recorder processes the certificate and sends the data to MDH. You can get a certified copy from the Recorder directly or through MDH. Both routes produce an official certified copy of the same underlying record.

The Faribault County Recorder at 507-526-6250 can tell you how to request a certified copy, what it costs, and how long it takes. In-person requests at the office in Blue Earth are often processed the same day. Mail requests take longer. Getting a certified copy from the county is a good option when you need the document quickly.

MDH certified copies cost $9 each. Orders can be placed online or by mail through the MDH vital records page. MDH processes requests for any Minnesota marriage. Their processing time is typically longer than getting a copy at the county level, so factor that in when you plan.

If the marriage certificate will be used internationally, you will need an apostille from the Minnesota Secretary of State. The fee is $5 per document. Details are at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. Get your certified copy from the county or MDH first, then apply for the apostille.

Minnesota Marriage Law Background

All Minnesota counties, including Faribault, operate under Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes. These statutes cover who can marry, how applications are processed, what records are kept, and how the state tracks marriages statewide. The full text of Chapter 517 is available at revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/517/full.

The most relevant sections for applicants are § 517.04 (age and consent), § 517.08 (application requirements), and § 517.03 (prohibited marriages). The Recorder enforces these at the county level. If you have a specific legal question that the Recorder can't answer, consulting an attorney familiar with Minnesota family law is the right step.

The MDH marriage reporting page at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/localreg/marriage.html explains how local registrars like Faribault County report marriages to the state. It gives context on the reporting system that runs in the background when you get a license and have a ceremony. Understanding this can be useful if you ever need to track down a record that seems to have fallen through the cracks.

The MDH vital records page is the main entry point for statewide marriage record services. Faribault County works within this same system, which means records registered here are accessible through MDH as well as through the local Recorder.

The statute at revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/517.08 defines the application process that Faribault County follows. Both what you need to bring and how the Recorder processes the license come from this section of the law.

Cities in Faribault County

Faribault County includes Blue Earth and a number of smaller cities and townships. All marriage license applications for the county go through the Recorder's office in Blue Earth.

Communities in Faribault County include Blue Earth, Wells, Winnebago, Easton, Bricelyn, and others. None of these cities meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site. All county residents apply for their marriage license at the same Recorder office in Blue Earth.

Nearby Counties