McLeod County Marriage License Search

McLeod County marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder in Glencoe. The recorder also holds the official record of all marriages filed in the county. This page covers where to apply for a McLeod County marriage license, what documents you need, how much it costs, and how to search marriage records online. The county's index in MOMS goes back to 1866.

McLeod County Recorder Contact Information

The McLeod County Recorder is at 830 11th St E, Glencoe, MN 55336. The phone number is 320-864-1234. Visit the recorder's online page at co.mcleod.mn.us/418/Recorder for hours and additional details. The county also has a specific marriage license page that lists requirements and steps for applying.

The recorder's office is in the McLeod County Government Center in Glencoe. If you're coming from Hutchinson or another part of the county, plan around normal courthouse hours. Calling ahead to confirm is always a good practice, especially around holidays. The staff at 320-864-1234 can answer questions about the process before you make the trip.

Once you complete your ceremony and the officiant signs and returns the license, the recorder processes and files the record. The data is then reported to the Minnesota Department of Health as part of the statewide vital records system. This is how the marriage becomes part of both county and state records.

Applying for a Marriage License in McLeod County

Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the recorder's office. There is no way to apply on behalf of a partner who is absent. Minnesota no longer has a waiting period. The requirement was removed September 1, 2016, so you can marry on the same day you receive the license if you choose.

Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses, state IDs, and passports all qualify. The ID must show your full legal name and date of birth. If either of you has been married before, you must provide documentation that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree works for a prior divorce. If a former spouse died, bring a certified death certificate. Regular copies are not enough. You need certified or original documents.

The minimum age to marry in Minnesota is 18. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian, as required by Minn. Stat. § 517.04. No one under 16 can be issued a license. The recorder follows Minn. Stat. § 517.08 in reviewing and approving each application before the license is issued.

Fees and Reduced Rate Options

The standard McLeod County marriage license fee is within the $115 to $125 range that applies across most Minnesota counties. Confirm the exact amount with the recorder at 320-864-1234 before your visit. The fee is set by the county board and can change.

Couples who finish a qualifying premarital education course of at least 12 hours can pay a lower fee of $40 to $50. Bring your completion certificate to the appointment. The program must meet Minnesota's statutory standards. The certificate is valid at any Minnesota county recorder, so you don't need to redo it if you already completed one elsewhere.

There is no residency requirement for a McLeod County marriage license. You can apply here even if you live in another county or state. Minnesota also has no blood test requirement. There's nothing else beyond ID, the fee, and prior marriage documentation if it applies.

Note: The license is valid for six months from the date it's issued. If you don't hold the ceremony in that time, the license expires and you'll need to apply again.

McLeod County Marriage Records on MOMS

Minnesota's free public marriage index, MOMS, is available at moms.mn.gov. McLeod County's records in MOMS go back to 1866, which is among the longer indexes in the state. You can search by name and pull up basic information about any recorded marriage in the county dating back to that year.

The MOMS system covers 85 of Minnesota's 87 counties. The search is open to the public and free to use. It's an index, not a source for certified copies, but it's fast and useful for confirming a record exists before making a formal request. The system is maintained as part of Minnesota's statewide vital records infrastructure.

The MDH county registrar directory lists McLeod County alongside every other county in Minnesota. The MDH vital records page explains the full scope of what the state manages, including how to get certified copies through the department.

Certified Copies, Apostilles, and Historical Records

To get a certified copy of a McLeod County marriage certificate, contact the Minnesota Department of Health. MDH charges $9 per copy and processes requests from across the state. You can also contact the McLeod County Recorder directly at 320-864-1234. The county office can sometimes fulfill requests for recent records more quickly than going through the state.

If you need your marriage certificate for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State provides apostille services for $5 per document. Get your certified copy first, then submit it for the apostille. The two are separate requests processed at separate offices.

For older records that aren't fully indexed in MOMS, the Minnesota Historical Society maintains a broad archive of historical vital records. Their marriage records guide is a useful reference for genealogy work. Minnesota marriage law is codified in Chapter 517, including § 517.03 on prohibited marriages and § 517.07 on recorder duties.

Cities in McLeod County

Glencoe is the county seat, and Hutchinson is the largest city in McLeod County. Neither meets the 100,000-resident threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents in McLeod County, including those in Glencoe, Hutchinson, and Winsted, apply through the McLeod County Recorder in Glencoe.

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.