Marriage License Records in Polk County

Polk County marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder in Crookston, the county seat of this large northwestern Minnesota county. If you plan to get married in Polk County or want to search past marriage records here, this page covers the full application process, fees, what ID you need, and where to find records that go back more than a century. The MOMS index includes Polk County data from 1879 forward.

Polk County Recorder Office Information

The Polk County Recorder is located at 612 N Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716. The phone number is 218-281-3564. Both people applying for a marriage license must go in person to this office together. You cannot have one person apply and the other sign somewhere else or at a later time. That rule applies statewide in Minnesota.

If you are traveling to Crookston from East Grand Forks, Fertile, or another part of Polk County, calling ahead to confirm hours is a smart move. Call 218-281-3564 before you go. Hours can change, and confirming your visit will save you a wasted trip.

The Polk County marriage license page on the county website has the most current fee information and any local requirements. Take a look at that page before your visit.

Getting a Marriage License in Polk County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Polk County Recorder office in Crookston. You do not need to be a resident of Polk County or Minnesota to apply here. There is no waiting period. Minnesota dropped that rule in September 2016, so you can pick up your license and proceed with the ceremony that same day. The license is good for six months.

Each applicant needs a valid, government-issued photo ID. A current driver's license, state ID card, or passport works. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree works, as does a certified copy of a death certificate if a prior spouse died. Regular photocopies are not accepted. Make sure the document you bring is an official certified copy.

Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 517.04 sets the minimum age at 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or guardian. No one younger than 16 may get a marriage license in Minnesota. There is no blood test required and has not been for years.

The Polk County fee for a marriage license is between $115 and $125. If both applicants complete a 12-hour premarital education course and bring proof of completion to the recorder's office, they may qualify for a reduced fee of $40 to $50. Ask the recorder's staff what programs count toward that discount.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, the application must be signed by both parties in the presence of the county recorder or a deputy recorder.

Search Polk County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, known as MOMS, covers Polk County marriage records from 1879 to the present. This free, public database is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and lets you search by name, county, and date. You do not need an account or pay anything to search. It is available from any internet-connected device.

MOMS is an index, which means it shows names, dates, and key identifiers. Full document scans are not always available for older entries. To get a certified copy of a Polk County marriage record, contact the Polk County Recorder at 218-281-3564 or order through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. MDH charges $9 per certified copy. The county's own fees may differ.

The MDH vital records office issues certified copies of Polk County marriage records for $9 each and maintains statewide vital records going back many decades.

Historical and Genealogy Records in Polk County

The MOMS index for Polk County goes back to 1879. For records from before that point, or for more detailed genealogy research, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is the right resource. MNHS holds older county marriage records on microfilm and can help researchers locate documents that are not in any online database. Polk County is a large county with a long settlement history, and older records do exist in various forms.

Local churches in the Crookston area and surrounding townships kept their own marriage records well before state registration became standard. If you are hunting for a record from before 1879, try MNHS first, then reach out to the Polk County Recorder to ask what they hold at the courthouse.

For marriages that need an apostille, the Minnesota Secretary of State's office provides that service for $5 per document. You will need to secure a certified copy of the marriage record before applying for the apostille.

Minn. Stat. § 517.08 sets out the application process for marriage licenses across all Minnesota counties, including Polk County.

Returning the License After Your Ceremony

After your wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must complete the marriage license and return it to the Polk County Recorder. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant has five days after the ceremony to return the license. The county then sends the record to the Minnesota Department of Health. Once MDH processes it, the marriage becomes part of the state vital records system and shows up in MOMS searches.

If you need proof of your marriage before it is fully in the state system, the Polk County Recorder at 218-281-3564 can help. The county retains the local record before it is sent to MDH, so contact them first if you need a copy quickly.

Cities in Polk County

Polk County is one of the larger counties in Minnesota and includes communities such as Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fertile, and Fosston. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Polk County residents apply for marriage licenses at the Recorder office in Crookston at 612 N Broadway, regardless of where in the county they live.

Nearby Counties

Marriage licenses in Minnesota are county-specific. Apply at the correct county recorder for your situation.