Pope County Marriage License Records

Pope County marriage licenses are issued through the County Recorder office in Glenwood. This page covers everything you need to know about getting a marriage license in Pope County, from what documents to bring to how much it costs. It also explains how to search for past marriage records in Pope County. The MOMS index goes back to 1867, giving Pope County one of the longer-running records sets in the state.

Pope County Recorder Office

The Pope County Recorder processes all marriage license applications for the county. The office is located at 130 E Minnesota Ave, Glenwood, MN 56334. Reach them by phone at 320-634-7707. Both people planning to marry must visit the office at the same time. One applicant cannot come in while the other waits elsewhere. This is a requirement under Minnesota law and applies in every county in the state.

The recorder's office handles a range of county documents, and the marriage license counter is one part of what they do. If you plan to drive in from Starbuck, Cyrus, or another part of Pope County, call 320-634-7707 first to confirm current office hours. That one call can save you from a wasted trip.

The Pope County marriage license page on the county website lists current fees and local requirements. Give it a look before you head in.

How to Get a Marriage License in Pope County

Both applicants must appear in person together at the Pope County Recorder office in Glenwood. Neither person needs to be a Minnesota resident or a resident of Pope County. You can apply here even if you live in another state, as long as your ceremony is in Pope County or you simply prefer to get your license here. There is no waiting period in Minnesota, so your license is usable immediately after it is issued. It stays valid for six months.

Bring valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport all work. Expired ID will not be accepted, so check the expiration date before you go. If either applicant has been married before, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree is the standard document. If a prior spouse is deceased, bring the death certificate. Regular photocopies are not acceptable.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, the minimum age to marry in Minnesota is 18. Applicants between 16 and 17 may apply if they have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. No one younger than 16 may receive a marriage license in Minnesota. There is no blood test and no residency requirement.

Pope County marriage license fees fall between $115 and $125. Couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education course and provide proof may qualify for a reduced fee of $40 to $50. Check with the recorder's office about which programs meet the requirement.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, both applicants must complete the marriage license application in person before the county recorder or a deputy.

Pope County Marriage Records Search

Pope County has one of the oldest MOMS indexes in Minnesota, with records going back to 1867. The Minnesota Official Marriage System is a free public database run by the Minnesota Department of Health. You can search by name, date range, and county at no cost. The index is available online around the clock and does not require an account to access.

MOMS shows index data: names, dates, and document identifiers. It is not always a full image database, especially for older records. If you need a certified copy of a Pope County marriage record, call the Pope County Recorder at 320-634-7707 or order through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. MDH charges $9 per certified copy. The county may have different pricing for copies it issues directly.

MOMS at moms.mn.gov is where you can search Pope County marriage records from 1867 to the present, free of charge.

Historical Marriage Records in Pope County

With a MOMS index that starts in 1867, Pope County has some of the oldest digitized marriage records in Minnesota. For records that predate that or that require more documentation than MOMS provides, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is a strong resource. MNHS holds older county-level records on microfilm and in paper files. Their guide walks through what they have and how to request it.

Old church records and township records sometimes fill in gaps for very early Pope County marriages that predate state registration. If you are a genealogist tracing a family line that settled in the Glenwood area in the 1860s or 1870s, contacting MNHS and the Pope County Recorder directly gives you the best shot at finding complete documentation.

Minnesota marriage records that need an apostille for foreign use go through the Minnesota Secretary of State's office. The fee is $5 per document. You need a certified copy of the record before requesting the apostille. MDH or the county recorder can provide that certified copy.

The Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostille requests for $5 per document, which is useful if you need a Pope County marriage certificate authenticated for international use.

After the Ceremony in Pope County

Once your ceremony is complete, the officiant must fill out the marriage license and return it to the Pope County Recorder. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant has five days from the date of the ceremony to return the completed license. The county then forwards the record to the Minnesota Department of Health for entry into the statewide vital records system.

After MDH processes the filing, the record becomes searchable in MOMS. If you need a certified copy of your marriage record before it appears in the state system, contact the Pope County Recorder at 320-634-7707. They hold the local copy while the statewide registration is being completed.

Cities in Pope County

Pope County includes Glenwood, Starbuck, Cyrus, and Villard, among other communities. None of these cities meets the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Pope County residents, no matter which part of the county they live in, must apply for their marriage license at the County Recorder office at 130 E Minnesota Ave in Glenwood.

Nearby Counties

In Minnesota, you get your marriage license from the county recorder. Make sure you apply at the right county.