Red Lake County Marriage License Search

Red Lake County marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder in Red Lake Falls. This page has what you need to apply for a marriage license in Red Lake County, including what to bring, what it costs, and how the process works. It also covers how to search for past marriage records in the county. The MOMS index covers Red Lake County records going back to 1897.

Red Lake County Recorder Office

The Red Lake County Recorder is the office that handles marriage licenses in the county. You will find them at 124 Langevin Ave, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750. The phone is 218-253-2991. Both people who want to get married must go to the office together in person. This is a statewide rule in Minnesota and is not something that can be waived or done remotely.

Red Lake County is one of Minnesota's smallest counties by both size and population. The recorder's office handles a range of county documents, and the staff can answer questions about the marriage license process. Call 218-253-2991 before you make the drive, especially if you are coming from outside Red Lake Falls. Confirming the office is open and ready to serve you saves time.

The Red Lake County marriage license page on the county website has the current fee schedule and any local instructions. Review it before your visit to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Apply for a Red Lake County Marriage License

Both applicants must appear together at the Red Lake County Recorder office in Red Lake Falls. You do not need to be a resident of Red Lake County or Minnesota. Residency is not a factor. There is no waiting period in Minnesota. The state removed that rule in September 2016, so your license is valid to use immediately after you receive it. It remains valid for six months from the date of issue.

Both people need to bring valid photo ID. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, or passport all work. If either applicant was married before, bring proof that the earlier marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree is the standard document for that. If the prior spouse passed away, bring a certified death certificate. Regular photocopies are not sufficient. The recorder's office requires an official certified copy in either case.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, both people must be at least 18 to marry in Minnesota. Those who are 16 or 17 can apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. No one under 16 may receive a marriage license in Minnesota. No blood test is required.

The standard fee for a Red Lake County marriage license is $115 to $125. Couples who complete a qualified 12-hour premarital education course and bring proof may pay a reduced fee of $40 to $50. Ask the recorder which programs qualify when you call ahead.

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

Search Red Lake County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, or MOMS, has Red Lake County marriage records from 1897 to the present. This free public database is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health. You can search by name, date range, and county without creating an account or paying a fee. MOMS is accessible from any device with internet access.

MOMS provides index data, meaning names, dates, and identifiers for each record. Full document images are not always included, particularly for older records. If you need a certified copy of a Red Lake County marriage record, you can contact the Red Lake County Recorder at 218-253-2991 or order through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office, which charges $9 per certified copy.

The MDH vital records office at health.state.mn.us provides certified copies of Red Lake County marriage records for $9 each and maintains statewide vital records registration.

Historical Records and Genealogy Research

Red Lake County's MOMS index begins in 1897. For records from before that date, or for genealogy research that needs more detail than MOMS provides, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is a good starting point. MNHS holds older county records on microfilm and in other formats. Their guide explains what they have and how to request access to those documents.

Local church and township records in the Red Lake Falls area sometimes hold marriage data that predates state registration. If MOMS does not have what you need and the county recorder does not hold the specific record you are after, MNHS is the next best resource for digging into older Red Lake County family history.

If you need a Minnesota marriage record with an apostille for use in another country, that service is provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State's office for $5 per document. You must have a certified copy of the marriage record first. MDH or the county recorder can provide that certified copy.

The MDH marriage reporting page explains how counties like Red Lake County report marriages to the state for statewide vital records registration.

After the Wedding in Red Lake County

Once your ceremony takes place, the officiant who performed the wedding is responsible for completing the marriage license and returning it to the Red Lake County Recorder. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant must return the license within five days of the ceremony. The county sends the completed record to the Minnesota Department of Health. After MDH processes it, the marriage enters the statewide vital records system and becomes searchable through MOMS.

If you need a copy of your marriage record before the state has fully processed it, contact the Red Lake County Recorder at 218-253-2991. The county holds the local record during the processing period and can provide a copy sooner than waiting for the MDH system to update.

Cities in Red Lake County

Red Lake County is one of the smallest counties in Minnesota. Red Lake Falls is the county seat, and Plummer is another community within the county. Neither city meets the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Red Lake County residents apply for marriage licenses at the same Recorder office at 124 Langevin Ave in Red Lake Falls, no matter where in the county they live.

Nearby Counties

In Minnesota, marriage licenses are issued county by county. Make sure you apply at the right office.