Hennepin County Marriage License

Hennepin County is the most populous county in Minnesota, home to Minneapolis and about 1.3 million residents. Marriage licenses here are issued through the county's service center network rather than a single courthouse window. Whether you are applying for the first time or searching old marriage records that go back to 1870, this page walks you through how the process works in Hennepin County specifically.

Hennepin County Marriage License Service Centers

Unlike smaller counties where you visit one recorder's office, Hennepin County runs several service centers that all handle marriage license applications. The main downtown location is at 300 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55487, phone 612-348-8240. Other service centers are in Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. You can go to whichever location is most convenient for you.

The Hennepin County marriage license page has up-to-date hours, location addresses, and instructions for starting your application. One helpful feature Hennepin County offers is an online pre-application. You can fill out much of the paperwork ahead of time on the county's website, which can cut down the time you spend at the service center window. You still have to appear in person with your partner, but the pre-application makes the visit faster.

To find the service center nearest to you, the Hennepin County locations page lists all offices with addresses and hours. Hours may differ by location, so check before you go.

Applying for a Marriage License in Hennepin County

Both people who plan to marry must appear together at any Hennepin County service center. You cannot apply separately or send a representative. Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. The license fee in Hennepin County is $125, which is among the highest in the state. However, if you complete a 12-hour premarital education program, the fee drops to $50. You need to bring documentation showing you completed the program when you apply.

Minnesota removed the waiting period between getting a license and using it back in September 2016. You can get married the same day you pick up the license if you want. The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued. There is no residency requirement, meaning couples from other states or countries can get their license from Hennepin County and marry here.

If either applicant was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. A photocopy will not work. The document needs to be a certified original from the court or vital records office that issued it.

Age rules follow Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Both parties must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 can apply with parental or guardian consent. No blood test is required.

The Hennepin County marriage license page covers the full application process, required documents, the online pre-application option, and current fee information.

Hennepin County Service Center Locations

The county's multi-location model makes it easier for residents spread across the Twin Cities metro to access services without driving downtown. Each service center can issue marriage licenses. You do not have to go to the Minneapolis Government Center unless it is the most convenient option for you. Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove centers serve residents in the northwestern part of the county, while Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Minnetonka serve the south and west sides.

This page from Hennepin County lists all service center addresses, hours, and contact information so you can find the location closest to you.

The county also handles marriage certificates separately from licenses. A certificate is what you use to prove a marriage already happened. A license is what authorizes you to get married. Make sure you know which one you need before you contact the county.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, the license application must be signed by both parties in front of the county recorder or a deputy, which is why both people must appear in person.

Search Hennepin County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) indexes Hennepin County marriage records from 1870 to the present. That is over 150 years of records accessible through a free online search. MOMS is run by the Minnesota Department of Health and lets you search by name and date range. It is the starting point for any research into Hennepin County marriages, whether you are doing genealogy or verifying a recent record.

For certified copies of marriage records, you have two paths. The Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office issues certified copies for $9 each. MDH can provide records for marriages registered anywhere in the state, not just Hennepin County. You can also request copies directly from the Hennepin County vital records office. The county may have quicker turnaround for recent records since they hold the originals.

For older records and genealogy, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is worth bookmarking. MNHS has microfilm collections and other historical sources that go back further than the digital MOMS index. Hennepin County's records are well-documented given the county's size and importance in Minnesota history.

Note: MOMS is available at moms.mn.gov and searches all 85 participating counties in Minnesota. Scott and Washington counties are not part of MOMS.

After the Ceremony in Hennepin County

Once you are married, the person who performed the ceremony must complete the license and return it to Hennepin County within 5 days of the wedding. This is required under Minn. Stat. § 517.13. The county then sends the record to MDH for registration in the statewide vital records system. Once MDH registers the marriage, it becomes part of the permanent state record and can be ordered as a certified copy from either the county or MDH.

If you need the record for international use, an apostille can be obtained from the Minnesota Secretary of State for $5 per document. You will need a certified copy of the marriage record before you can request the apostille. The Secretary of State's office can authenticate Minnesota records for use in countries that accept the Hague Convention apostille.

Cities in Hennepin County

Hennepin County contains Minnesota's largest cities. Several qualify for their own pages on this site:

Minneapolis is the county seat and the state's largest city. Other qualifying cities with pages include Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Edina. Other communities like Richfield and St. Louis Park are also in Hennepin County but do not have dedicated pages on this site. All Hennepin County residents apply for marriage licenses at the same county service centers regardless of which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

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