Access Lincoln County Marriage License Records

Lincoln County marriage licenses are issued by the Lincoln County Recorder in Ivanhoe, in far southwest Minnesota. Both applicants must appear in person to apply, and the license is good for six months from the date of issue. Lincoln County marriage records are searchable through the Minnesota Official Marriage System from 1874 to the present. This page covers the full process, costs, and how to find past records.

Lincoln County Recorder Office

The Lincoln County Recorder is located at 319 N Rebecca St, Ivanhoe, MN 56142. The phone number is 507-694-1360. This is a small rural office, so calling ahead before you make the drive is a good idea. Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the time of application. You each need a valid government-issued photo ID. If either of you has been married before, bring a certified divorce decree or death certificate for the prior spouse.

The recorder issues the license the same day you apply. It is valid for six months and can be used anywhere in Minnesota, not just Lincoln County. Minnesota law has no waiting period. The state eliminated that requirement on September 1, 2016. There is also no blood test required and no residency requirement. Anyone can apply in Lincoln County regardless of where they live.

The Lincoln County Marriage License page has current details on hours and what to bring. Check it before your visit.

Fees and the Premarital Education Discount

The standard fee for a Lincoln County marriage license runs from $115 to $125. Couples who complete at least 12 hours of premarital education through a qualified provider can get a reduced fee of $40 to $50. Both of you must complete the course, and you need to bring written proof to the recorder's office when you apply. The discount is not available after the fact once the license has been issued. Contact the office at 507-694-1360 to confirm payment options before your visit.

There is no residency requirement in Minnesota for marriage licenses. You do not need to live in Lincoln County or anywhere in the state to get a license here. If you plan to have a ceremony in this part of southwest Minnesota, you can apply here even if you live elsewhere. The license you receive works throughout the entire state.

Search Lincoln County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) is the free online database for searching Lincoln County marriage records. The county's index in MOMS goes back to 1874 and runs through the present day. You can search by name, date range, or county at no cost. MOMS is operated by the Minnesota Department of Health and covers 85 of the state's 87 counties. Search results show names of both parties, the date the license was issued, and the county where it was recorded.

MOMS is an index, not a full document viewer. The full certificate is not shown online. If you need a certified copy for a name change, insurance update, passport, or other legal purpose, order one from Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records for $9 per copy. MDH processes requests both by mail and through its online ordering system. You can also contact the Lincoln County Recorder directly at 507-694-1360 to request a copy in person or by phone.

Note: Confirming the record exists in MOMS before you order a certified copy can save you time and avoid unnecessary fees.

Minnesota Marriage License Law

Marriage in Minnesota is governed by Chapter 517 of the state statutes. The application requirements are in Minn. Stat. § 517.08, which says what both applicants must provide and how the county recorder processes the application. Age requirements and the consent process for younger applicants are covered in Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Both people must be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or legal guardian to apply.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Lincoln County Recorder within five days. The county files it and forwards the data to the Minnesota Department of Health. MDH processes it and adds it to the MOMS index within a few weeks. Once that's done, certified copies can be ordered from MDH. Prohibited marriages are defined in Minn. Stat. § 517.03, and the complete chapter of marriage law is available at Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes.

Historical Records and Genealogy

Lincoln County's MOMS records run from 1874 to the present, giving researchers access to over 150 years of marriage data from this prairie county. For records that need more detail than the MOMS index provides, or for documents that predate the digital records, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is a helpful starting point. MNHS holds early county-level records and can assist with research requests for historical documents.

The MDH county registrar directory lists the current address, phone, and contact details for the Lincoln County Recorder alongside every other county office in Minnesota. If you need a Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County Records Screenshots

The Minnesota Department of Health vital records page covers how to order certified copies of Lincoln County marriage certificates by mail or online for $9 each.

MDH certified copies are accepted for name changes, passport applications, insurance records, and other official purposes that require an authenticated marriage document.

The Minnesota Statutes Chapter 517 page covers the full legal framework that governs how Lincoln County issues and processes marriage licenses.

Chapter 517 includes all of the rules that Lincoln County and every other Minnesota county follows when issuing and recording marriage licenses.

Cities in Lincoln County

Lincoln County includes Ivanhoe, Lake Benton, Tyler, and several small communities in the southwest corner of Minnesota. None of these towns reach the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Lincoln County residents apply for a marriage license through the Lincoln County Recorder at 319 N Rebecca St in Ivanhoe.

Nearby Counties

Minnesota allows you to apply for a marriage license at any county recorder's office in the state, not just the one where you live. These counties are near Lincoln County if the Ivanhoe office is not the most convenient option for you.