Martin County Marriage License Lookup

The Martin County Recorder in Fairmont handles all marriage license applications and keeps the official marriage record for the county. This page explains how to apply for a Martin County marriage license, what to bring, how much it costs, and how to search marriage records online. The county's MOMS index goes back to 1857, making it one of the longer-running records in the state.

Martin County Recorder Office

The Martin County Recorder is at 201 Lake Ave, Fairmont, MN 56031. The phone number is 507-238-3210. You can get full information about the recorder's services at co.martin.mn.us. The office handles marriage licenses, vital records, and real property recording for the county.

Martin County has a detailed marriage license page on the county website. It outlines the application process, the documents needed, and the fees. The county also maintains a vital statistics page covering marriage and other vital records. Both pages are good resources to review before your visit.

The screenshot below shows the Martin County Recorder's marriage license information page, taken directly from the county website.

The page provides official information from the county on what you need to apply, making it a useful starting point before going to the office in Fairmont.

Applying for a Martin County Marriage License

Both people getting married must go to the recorder's office together. You cannot apply on behalf of your partner. Minnesota has no waiting period. The delay that used to exist was removed on September 1, 2016, so you can legally marry the same day you get the license.

You'll each need a valid photo ID from a government agency. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If either applicant was married before, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree handles a prior divorce. A certified death certificate handles the death of a former spouse. Plain copies won't do. You need certified or original documents.

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, 16- and 17-year-olds can apply if a parent or legal guardian provides written consent. No one under 16 can receive a marriage license in Minnesota. The recorder verifies each applicant's eligibility under Minn. Stat. § 517.08 before issuing the license.

Residency, Blood Tests, and Other Requirements

Martin County has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't need to live in Fairmont or anywhere in Martin County to apply here. Couples from out of state are welcome to apply if they plan to marry in the county or nearby. Minnesota also has no blood test requirement. The process is straightforward: bring your ID, show up together, and pay the fee.

If you have a name that has changed since your last ID was issued, or if there's any discrepancy in your identification documents, contact the recorder's office at 507-238-3210 in advance. They can advise you on what supplemental documentation might be needed to process your application without delays.

Note: Marriage licenses are valid for six months from the date of issue. If you don't use the license within that period, it expires and you would need to apply again.

Marriage License Fees in Martin County

The standard fee runs between $115 and $125. The recorder's office at 507-238-3210 can give you the exact current amount. Fees are set by the county and can change, so it's worth a quick call before you go rather than assuming the fee.

Couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education course that meets Minnesota's statutory standards can apply for a reduced fee. The reduced rate is typically between $40 and $50. You must bring your completion certificate when you apply. The same certificate is accepted at any county recorder in Minnesota, so if you completed the program before moving to the area or got it in a neighboring county, it still counts.

The screenshot below is from the Martin County Recorder's main department page.

The main recorder page also links to additional services beyond marriage licenses, including real property records and other vital statistics the office maintains for Martin County.

Searching Martin County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, MOMS, is a free online index at moms.mn.gov. Martin County's records go back to 1857 in this database, which is an unusually long index for the state. That makes MOMS particularly useful for genealogy research involving Martin County marriages from the mid-1800s through the present day.

MOMS lets you search by the names of the people who married. You can see the date and county of the marriage. It covers 85 of Minnesota's 87 counties. The search is free and does not require you to create an account or pay anything to access basic record data. It won't give you a certified copy, but it's the right first step when tracking down a record.

You can find Martin County in the MDH county registrar directory. The directory lists contact info for every county registrar in the state. The broader MDH vital records page explains the full scope of what the state manages and how to request certified copies through the department.

Certified Copies and Historical Martin County Records

Certified copies of Martin County marriage certificates are available from the Minnesota Department of Health for $9 each. You can submit requests to MDH by mail or through their online system. Processing time depends on how the request is submitted.

The Martin County Recorder can also provide copies, especially for recent records. For older records, MNHS holds historical marriage documents that may not be in the digital indexes. The MNHS marriage records guide is worth checking if you're researching 19th-century Martin County marriages. The county's MOMS index starts in 1857, and some records from that era may have gaps or inconsistencies that the MNHS archive can help fill.

For international use, the Minnesota Secretary of State provides apostille services for $5 per document. You need a certified copy first, then the apostille is attached separately. Minnesota marriage law is found in Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes, with key provisions at § 517.03 and § 517.13.

Cities in Martin County

Fairmont is the county seat and largest city in Martin County. No cities in Martin County meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All residents, including those in Fairmont, Sherburn, and other communities, apply for marriage licenses at the Martin County Recorder's office in Fairmont.

Nearby Counties

The county recorder or license center where you apply holds your marriage record. Apply in the county where either applicant lives or where you plan to marry.