Grant County Marriage License Records

Grant County marriage licenses are issued through the County Recorder office in Elbow Lake. If you need to apply for a marriage license or search past marriage records in Grant County, this page covers the full process, fees, and where to look. Records in the state's MOMS index go back to 1882, giving researchers a long reach into the county's history.

Grant County Recorder Office

The Grant County Recorder handles all marriage license applications for the county. The office is located at 10 2nd St NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. You can reach them by phone at 218-685-4602. Both people who plan to marry must come in together to apply. There is no way to send one person alone and have the other sign later. Both must show up, both must show valid photo ID, and both must sign the application in front of the recorder's staff.

Office hours follow standard county business hours. It is worth calling ahead at 218-685-4602 before you make the drive, especially if you are coming from outside Elbow Lake. Grant County is a rural county, and the recorder's office serves a smaller population than metro-area counties. That often means shorter wait times, but you still want to confirm hours before you go.

The Grant County marriage license page on the county website has current fee information and any updates to procedures. Check there first if you have specific questions about what to bring.

How to Get a Marriage License in Grant County

Both parties must appear in person at the Grant County Recorder office. You do not need to be a Minnesota resident. There is no waiting period in Minnesota since the law changed in September 2016, so you can use your license right after you pick it up if needed. The license stays valid for six months from the date it is issued.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. If either person was married before, you will need to show proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate for a deceased spouse will satisfy this requirement. Make sure the document you bring is a certified copy, not just a photocopy.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Those who are 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from a parent or guardian. No one under 16 may marry in Minnesota. There is no blood test requirement and has not been for many years.

The fee for a Grant County marriage license runs between $115 and $125. You may pay a reduced fee if you can show proof of completing a 12-hour premarital education program. Ask the recorder's office about accepted programs and what documentation they need.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, the license application must be completed by both parties in the presence of the county recorder or a deputy.

Search Grant County Marriage Records Online

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, known as MOMS, is the best free tool for searching Grant County marriage records. The index covers Grant County records from 1882 to the present. You can search by name, date range, and county. MOMS is a state-run database maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and is available at no cost to anyone with internet access.

MOMS shows index data including names and dates. It does not always show full document images for older records. For a certified copy of a marriage record, you have two options. You can contact the Grant County Recorder directly at 218-685-4602, or you can order through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. MDH charges $9 per certified copy. The county recorder may have different pricing, so ask when you call.

The Grant County Recorder marriage license page has a screenshot of the county's online marriage license portal, which gives you a look at what to expect before you visit.

The Grant County marriage license page shows the county's current process and any local instructions that differ from state defaults.

Historical Marriage Records in Grant County

Grant County marriage records go back to 1882 in the MOMS index. For records predating that or for genealogy research, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is a strong resource. MNHS holds many older county records on microfilm and can help researchers track down documents that are not yet digitized.

For records from before statewide indexing, local churches and township records sometimes fill in the gaps. The county courthouse in Elbow Lake may also hold original paper documents going back further than what appears in MOMS. If you are doing deep genealogy work, a visit or a written request to the Grant County Recorder is worth the effort.

If you need an apostille for international use, Minnesota issues them through the Secretary of State's office for $5 per document. You would need a certified copy of the marriage record first before requesting an apostille.

The Grant County Recorder's marriage license page covers fees, requirements, and how to schedule your visit to the Elbow Lake office.

Grant County Marriage License Requirements Summary

Here is what you need before you go to the Grant County Recorder office:

• Both applicants present in person at 10 2nd St NE, Elbow Lake
• Valid photo ID for each person (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Proof of prior marriage ending if either applicant was previously married
• Payment for the license fee ($115-$125, or reduced with premarital education proof)
• Both applicants must be at least 18, or 16-17 with parent/guardian consent

Once you have your license, the officiant who performs the ceremony must complete and return the license to the county within 5 days of the wedding. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, it is the officiant's responsibility to make sure the record gets filed properly. The county then forwards the record to the Minnesota Department of Health for statewide registration.

Note: The county recorder's staff can answer questions about required documents, but they cannot give legal advice about who is eligible to marry under Minnesota law.

Cities in Grant County

Grant County is a rural county in western Minnesota. The county seat is Elbow Lake, and other communities in the county include Herman, Wendell, and Ashby. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all Grant County residents apply for marriage licenses at the same Recorder office in Elbow Lake regardless of which community they live in.

Nearby Counties

Marriage licenses are issued at the county level. Make sure you apply in the right county.