Morrison County Marriage License and Records

Morrison County marriage licenses are issued through the County Recorder's office in Little Falls. The recorder holds the official record of all marriages that take place in the county. If you need to apply for a license or find a Morrison County marriage record, this page explains the full process, from what you need to bring to how to search records online. The county's marriage index in MOMS goes back to 1860.

Morrison County Recorder Office

The Morrison County Recorder is located at 213 1st Ave SE, Little Falls, MN 56345. The phone number is 320-632-0140. You can find the recorder's official page at co.morrison.mn.us/433/Recorder. The county also has a marriage license page with information on the application process.

The screenshot below is from the Morrison County Recorder's page on the county's official website.

The recorder's page links to marriage license information, real property services, and other vital records the office maintains for Morrison County residents and businesses.

The recorder's office handles all aspects of the marriage license process. After you apply and pay, they issue the license. Once you've had the ceremony and the officiant signs and returns the license to the recorder, the office files the record. That data then goes to the Minnesota Department of Health as part of the state vital records system. Morrison County records from 1860 are part of the MOMS online index.

How to Get a Marriage License in Morrison County

Both applicants must appear in person at the recorder's office. You can't have one person apply on behalf of the other. Minnesota has no waiting period. That requirement was ended on September 1, 2016, so there is no delay between applying and using the license. You can hold the ceremony the same day if you want.

Each person needs a valid photo ID issued by a government agency. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all qualify. The ID must show your full legal name and date of birth. If either of you has been married before, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree works for a prior divorce. A certified death certificate works if a former spouse has passed. Plain copies are not sufficient. You need certified originals.

Both applicants must be 18 or older to marry in Minnesota. If an applicant is 16 or 17, a parent or legal guardian must provide written consent before the license can be issued, as required by Minn. Stat. § 517.04. No one under 16 may be married in the state. The recorder verifies eligibility for each applicant under the standards set by Minn. Stat. § 517.08.

There is no residency requirement for a Morrison County marriage license. Out-of-state couples who plan to marry in the county can apply at the recorder's office. Minnesota has no blood test requirement.

Marriage License Fees in Morrison County

The standard fee is in the $115 to $125 range. Call the recorder at 320-632-0140 to confirm the exact current amount before your visit. Fees are set by the county board and can be updated.

If you complete a state-qualifying 12-hour premarital education course before applying, you can pay a reduced fee of $40 to $50. Bring your certificate of completion to the appointment. Minnesota law allows this reduction under the applicable statutory provisions, and the same certificate works at any county recorder in the state. You do not need to repeat the program if you completed it elsewhere.

Note: The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. If you don't hold the ceremony in that window, the license expires and you'll need to apply and pay again.

Searching Morrison County Marriage Records

Minnesota's free online marriage index is called MOMS, the Minnesota Official Marriage System. You can search it at moms.mn.gov. Morrison County records in MOMS go back to 1860, one of the earlier starting points among Minnesota counties. That makes this database especially useful for genealogy work and family history research involving marriages in the county during the 1800s and early 1900s.

The MOMS search is open to the public at no cost. You search by name and the system returns basic information, including the date and county of the marriage. It covers 85 of Minnesota's 87 counties. MOMS does not give you a certified copy, but it's the right first step when you're trying to find out if a record exists and when it was filed. Once you locate the record, you can then request a certified copy.

The MDH county registrar directory lists Morrison County with current contact information. The MDH vital records page gives broader context on how Minnesota manages vital records and how to request certified copies at the state level.

Certified Copies and Apostilles for Morrison County Records

You can get a certified copy of a Morrison County marriage certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health for $9 each. MDH accepts requests by mail and through their online system. Processing time varies by submission method. The Morrison County Recorder can also handle local copy requests for recent records. Call 320-632-0140 to ask about turnaround time and process.

If you need the certificate authenticated for use in another country, get an apostille from the Minnesota Secretary of State. The fee is $5 per document. You need a certified copy before applying for the apostille. These are separate requests handled by separate offices.

For historical records from the 1800s that may not be fully digitized in MOMS, the Minnesota Historical Society is a good resource. Their marriage records guide explains what archives are available and how to access them. Morrison County's MOMS index starting in 1860 covers most of the county's formal recording period, but MNHS may have supplemental materials for early records with gaps. Minnesota marriage law is in Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes, with key provisions at § 517.03 and § 517.07.

Cities in Morrison County

Little Falls is the county seat of Morrison County. No communities in Morrison County meet the 100,000-person threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents of Little Falls, Pierz, Motley, and other towns in the county all apply for marriage licenses through the Morrison County Recorder in Little Falls.

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.