Redwood County Marriage License Records

Redwood County marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder in Redwood Falls, the county seat in southwestern Minnesota. This page explains how to apply for a marriage license in Redwood County, what documents and fees are involved, and how to search for past marriage records. The MOMS database has Redwood County records going back to 1867, making it one of the longer-running indexes in the state.

Redwood County Recorder Office

The Redwood County Recorder is the office where you apply for a marriage license. The address is 275 W Fairfield St, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, and the phone is 507-637-4013. Both people applying for the license must appear at the office in person and at the same time. That is a Minnesota statewide requirement, not something unique to Redwood County.

The recorder's office in Redwood Falls handles marriage licenses alongside other county recording functions. Before you make the drive from Morgan, Lamberton, or another community in the county, call ahead at 507-637-4013 to confirm hours and ask if there is anything specific you should bring. It takes only a minute and could save you a return trip.

The Redwood County marriage license page on the county website has the most current information on fees and what to expect when you visit. Check it first.

Applying for a Marriage License in Redwood County

Both applicants must come to the Redwood County Recorder office together. You do not need to be a Minnesota resident to apply here, and you do not need to live in Redwood County. Minnesota has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. There is also no waiting period. The state eliminated the waiting period in September 2016, so you can pick up the license and use it the same day if your ceremony is ready. The license is good for six months from the date it is issued.

Each person must bring a current, government-issued photo ID. A valid driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. If either applicant was married before, they need to show that the prior marriage ended legally. A certified copy of the divorce decree is the document to bring. If the former spouse died, bring a certified death certificate. Make sure these are official certified copies, not photocopies, because the recorder's office will not accept plain copies as proof.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Those between 16 and 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or guardian. No one under 16 can get a marriage license in Minnesota. No blood test is required. There has not been one for many years.

The fee for a Redwood County marriage license runs $115 to $125. If both partners complete a 12-hour premarital education program and provide proof at the time of application, the reduced fee of $40 to $50 may apply. The recorder's staff can tell you which programs count toward that reduction.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, both applicants must sign the marriage license application in front of the county recorder or a deputy recorder.

Search Redwood County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, called MOMS, is the free public tool for searching Redwood County marriage records. The MOMS index covers the county from 1867 forward. You can search by name, date range, and county at no cost. The database is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and is open to anyone with internet access.

MOMS is an index-level database. It shows names, dates, and identifying information for each record. Scanned images of the original documents are not always part of the index, particularly for older records. If you need a certified copy of a Redwood County marriage record, you can call the Redwood County Recorder at 507-637-4013 or order through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. MDH charges $9 per certified copy. County pricing may differ, so ask when you call.

The MDH registrars directory lists every county vital records contact in Minnesota, including Redwood County, which is useful if you are researching records across multiple counties.

The MOMS search tool at moms.mn.gov is where you can look up Redwood County marriage records going back to 1867 at no cost.

Historical Marriage Records in Redwood County

Redwood County's MOMS index starts in 1867. For records from before that date, or for more detail than the index provides, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide is the recommended resource. MNHS holds older county records on microfilm and in paper collections. Their marriage records guide explains what types of documents they hold and how to request access. Redwood County has a long settlement history, and MNHS is well positioned to help genealogists working on older family lines.

Very early records, those from the 1860s and before the MOMS index begins, may exist in original paper form at the Redwood County courthouse in Redwood Falls or in local church records. Contacting the county recorder and MNHS together is the best approach if you need records from outside the MOMS date range.

If you need a Minnesota marriage certificate apostilled for use in another country, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostilles for $5 per document. You will need to obtain a certified copy of the marriage record first before applying for the apostille.

The MNHS marriage records guide is the right resource for historical Redwood County marriages that predate the MOMS index or that need more documentation than an index entry can provide.

After the Ceremony in Redwood County

After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must complete the marriage license and return it to the Redwood County Recorder. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant must return the license within five days of the ceremony. The county then forwards the completed record to the Minnesota Department of Health for statewide registration. Once MDH processes it, the record enters the state vital records system and becomes searchable in MOMS.

If you need a certified copy of your marriage record before MDH has fully processed it, call the Redwood County Recorder at 507-637-4013. The county holds the local record during the processing period and can provide a copy before the state system is updated.

Cities in Redwood County

Redwood County communities include Redwood Falls, Morgan, Lamberton, and Clements, among others. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents of Redwood County apply for marriage licenses at the same Recorder office in Redwood Falls at 275 W Fairfield St, regardless of where in the county they live or where the ceremony will take place.

Nearby Counties

In Minnesota, marriage licenses are issued at the county level. Be sure you apply at the correct county recorder for your situation.