Find Ramsey County Marriage License Records

Ramsey County is the smallest county in Minnesota by area but one of the most densely populated. Marriage licenses here are issued through Ramsey County Vital Records in St. Paul. This page covers how to apply for a Ramsey County marriage license, what to bring, the fees involved, and how to search for marriage records. The county has records going back to the late 1860s, with MOMS covering the period from 2000 to the present and partial earlier records also indexed.

Ramsey County Vital Records Office

The Ramsey County Vital Records office is where you apply for a marriage license in the county. The office is at 90 W Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107. The phone number is 651-266-1333. Ramsey County processes a high volume of marriage licenses compared to most other Minnesota counties, so planning your visit and understanding what you need before you arrive is important.

Both applicants must appear in person together. The county sees a steady flow of couples throughout the week, especially in spring and summer. Calling 651-266-1333 before your visit is a good idea. You can confirm current wait times, office hours, and whether there are any temporary changes to procedures. The Ramsey County Vital Records page also has updated information on services the office provides.

Applying for a Ramsey County Marriage License

Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the Ramsey County Vital Records office in St. Paul. Residency is not required. You do not need to live in Ramsey County or even in Minnesota to apply here. There is no waiting period in Minnesota since September 2016, so you can use your license right away. The license stays valid for six months from the issue date.

Each applicant needs a current government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses, state-issued ID cards, and passports all qualify. If someone was married before, they need to bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of the divorce decree is the standard document. If a prior spouse passed away, bring a certified death certificate. The office requires certified copies, not regular photocopies. This is a firm rule, not a suggestion.

Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 517.04 requires both applicants to be at least 18. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with written parental or guardian consent. No one under 16 may obtain a marriage license in Minnesota. There is no blood test required.

The fee for a Ramsey County marriage license is between $115 and $125. Couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education program and bring proof of completion may qualify for a reduced fee of $40 to $50. Ask the Vital Records office which programs they recognize for this discount.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, the marriage license application must be completed in person by both parties before the county recorder or a deputy.

The Ramsey County marriage licenses page at ramseycountymn.gov covers current fees, what to bring, and how the application process works at the St. Paul office.

Searching Ramsey County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, known as MOMS, includes Ramsey County records from 2000 to the present, with partial earlier records also indexed. This is different from most Minnesota counties, where MOMS coverage goes back much further. For Ramsey County records from before 2000, the MOMS index is incomplete. The county itself holds records going back to the late 1860s, so for older records you will need to contact Ramsey County Vital Records directly.

MOMS is free to use and run by the Minnesota Department of Health. It shows index data including names and dates. To get a certified copy of a Ramsey County marriage record, you can contact the Vital Records office at 651-266-1333 or order through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. MDH charges $9 per certified copy. Ramsey County may also issue copies directly; call to ask about their pricing and process.

The MDH county registrar directory lists contact details for all county vital records offices in Minnesota, including Ramsey County.

Historical Marriage Records in Ramsey County

Ramsey County has some of the oldest urban marriage records in Minnesota, going back to the late 1860s when St. Paul was still a young city. MOMS covers only from 2000 forward with partial data before that, so for pre-2000 records, the county is your primary source. Contact the Ramsey County Vital Records office at 651-266-1333 and ask specifically about older records. They can tell you what they hold and what is accessible.

For deep genealogy research on Ramsey County families, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is a valuable resource. MNHS holds older records on microfilm and can guide researchers to documents that are not part of any digital database. Given St. Paul's long settlement history, MNHS is especially useful for records from the 1860s through early 1900s.

If you need a Ramsey County marriage certificate apostilled for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State's office handles apostilles for $5 per document. Get your certified copy first, then submit it for the apostille.

After the Ceremony in Ramsey County

After the wedding, the officiant must complete the marriage license and return it to the Ramsey County Vital Records office. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, this must happen within five days of the ceremony. Ramsey County then forwards the completed record to the Minnesota Department of Health for statewide registration. The record enters the MDH system and then becomes searchable through MOMS.

If you need a certified copy of your marriage record quickly, before the state has fully processed it, call the Ramsey County Vital Records office at 651-266-1333. They hold the local record during the period between the ceremony and full state registration, and can often provide a copy sooner than waiting for MDH processing.

The Ramsey County vital records page covers the full range of vital records services available through the county, including birth and death certificates alongside marriage records.

Cities in Ramsey County

Ramsey County is home to St. Paul, the state capital of Minnesota. St. Paul has its own dedicated page on this site. Other communities in Ramsey County include Roseville, Maplewood, Shoreview, and Little Canada, none of which meet the population threshold for their own city page. All Ramsey County residents apply for marriage licenses at the Vital Records office at 90 W Plato Blvd in St. Paul.

Nearby Counties

Marriage licenses are county-specific in Minnesota. Make sure you are applying at the right county office.