Le Sueur County Marriage License Search

The Le Sueur County Recorder in Le Center handles all marriage license applications for the county and maintains marriage records going back to 1855. You can search Le Sueur County marriage records for free through the Minnesota Official Marriage System, or visit the recorder's office in person to apply for a new license. Both people must appear together at the time of application.

Le Sueur County Recorder Office

The Le Sueur County Recorder is at 88 S Park Ave, Le Center, MN 56057. The phone number is 507-357-2251. Both applicants must come in person to apply for a marriage license. A valid photo ID is required for each person. If you or your partner has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The recorder processes the application and issues the license on the same day.

The license is valid for six months from the date it's issued and can be used anywhere in Minnesota. There is no waiting period in the state. Minnesota eliminated its waiting period in September 2016, so you can marry the same day you get the license. There is also no residency requirement, meaning anyone can apply for a Le Sueur County marriage license regardless of where they live.

More details are available on the Le Sueur County Marriage License page, including what to bring and current office hours.

Le Sueur County Marriage License Screenshot

The Le Sueur County marriage license page walks through the application steps and outlines required documents for couples applying at the Le Center recorder's office.

This county page is the official source for current fee amounts, hours, and any local procedures specific to Le Sueur County.

Fees and Reduced Rate

A standard Le Sueur County marriage license costs $115 to $125. If both applicants complete at least 12 hours of premarital education through a qualified provider before applying, a reduced fee of $40 to $50 applies. You must bring written proof of the course when you go to the recorder's office. The discount cannot be applied after the license has already been issued. Call 507-357-2251 to ask about accepted payment methods before your visit.

Le Sueur County sits in south-central Minnesota, not far from the Twin Cities metro area. The county includes the city of Le Sueur, which is known for some of its agricultural heritage, but the recorder's office and county seat are in Le Center. Make sure you go to Le Center when applying for a marriage license, not Le Sueur city itself.

Search Le Sueur County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) holds Le Sueur County marriage records going back to 1855. That's one of the deeper indexes in the state and reflects the county's early establishment in territorial Minnesota. You search by name, date, or county. The index shows names of both parties, license date, and the county where the license was recorded. Access is free to anyone. MOMS is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and covers 85 of Minnesota's 87 counties.

Keep in mind that MOMS is an index and does not show the actual marriage certificate. If you need a certified copy for a name change, passport, insurance, or other legal purpose, order from Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records for $9 per copy. MDH processes requests by mail and online. You can also contact the Le Sueur County Recorder directly at 507-357-2251 if you want a copy from the county office.

Note: With records back to 1855, MOMS makes Le Sueur County one of the more useful counties for deep genealogy research in Minnesota.

Minnesota Marriage Requirements

Minnesota marriage licenses are governed by Minn. Stat. § 517.08, which sets out what county recorders must collect and how the application is processed. Both applicants must be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from a parent or guardian under Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Minnesota has no blood test requirement and no waiting period. The state eliminated the waiting period on September 1, 2016.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Le Sueur County Recorder within five days. The county files it and sends the data to the Minnesota Department of Health. MDH enters it into the MOMS system within a few weeks. After processing, a certified copy can be ordered from MDH for $9. The full text of Minnesota's marriage laws is at Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes. Prohibited marriages are defined in Minn. Stat. § 517.03.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Le Sueur County's marriage records in MOMS run from 1855 to the present, reflecting the county's long history as one of Minnesota's original organized counties. This depth makes it particularly valuable for genealogy research on families who have been in this part of Minnesota for multiple generations. For records that need more detail than MOMS provides, or for documents that predate the digital index, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is a useful resource. MNHS holds many early county records not yet available online.

If you need a Le Sueur County marriage certificate authenticated for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostille requests at $5 per document through sos.mn.gov. The MDH county registrar directory has the most current contact information for the Le Sueur County Recorder and for every other county in Minnesota.

Cities in Le Sueur County

Le Sueur County includes the cities of Le Sueur, Le Center, Montgomery, and St. Peter (which is in neighboring Nicollet County). None of the communities within Le Sueur County itself meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents apply for a marriage license through the Le Sueur County Recorder at 88 S Park Ave in Le Center.

Nearby Counties

You can get a Minnesota marriage license at any county recorder's office in the state. These offices near Le Sueur County may be a better fit depending on where you live or where you plan to hold your ceremony.