Rice County Marriage License Search

Rice County marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder in Faribault, and both applicants must show up in person to apply. The Recorder manages all marriage records for the county and reports each license to the state. You can search Rice County marriage records through the Minnesota Official Marriage System, which indexes entries back to 1855. This page explains how to apply, what documents to bring, what fees to expect, and how to get a certified copy of a Rice County marriage record.

Rice County Recorder Office

The Rice County Recorder is the office that issues marriage licenses in this county. It sits at 320 NW 3rd St in Faribault, the county seat. Staff handle applications and keep all vital records on file, including marriage licenses and certified copies of certificates. The Recorder serves as the local registrar under state law and sends completed marriage records to the Minnesota Department of Health.

The Recorder's main page is at co.rice.mn.us/528/Recorder. Their marriage license page at co.rice.mn.us/529/Marriage-License covers what you need to bring and how the process works. Read that page before you go in. It can save you a trip if you are missing a document.

The MDH county registrar directory also lists Rice County contact details. That page is a reliable backup if the county site is temporarily unavailable or you want to double-check a phone number before your visit.

Marriage License Requirements in Rice County

Minnesota law sets the same requirements for all 87 counties. The Rice County Recorder follows Minn. Stat. § 517.08 when processing applications. Both applicants must come in at the same time. You cannot send one person alone, and you cannot apply by mail or online.

When you go to the Recorder at 320 NW 3rd St, bring the following:

• A valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• If either person was previously married: a certified divorce decree or death certificate
• Payment for the license fee

Both applicants must be 18 or older. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may apply with written parental or guardian consent, as required under Minn. Stat. § 517.04. Minnesota does not allow marriages below age 16.

There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Rice County or even in Minnesota to apply here. The license is valid for six months from the date the Recorder issues it. Minnesota ended the waiting period in September 2016, so you can get married the same day you receive the license if you wish. No blood test is required under current state law.

Marriages between close relatives are prohibited. Minn. Stat. § 517.03 lists which relationships are not allowed. Call the Recorder at 507-332-6113 if you have eligibility questions before making the trip to Faribault.

Rice County Marriage License Fees

The fee in Rice County runs between $115 and $125. That range is standard for most Minnesota counties. Some counties also offer a reduced rate of $40 to $50 for couples who have completed a 12-hour premarital education program before applying. Ask the Rice County Recorder whether they accept program completion for the reduced fee and which programs qualify.

Payment is due when you apply. The Recorder will not issue a license before payment clears. Call 507-332-6113 to confirm the exact current fee and what payment forms the office accepts. Policies on cash, check, and card vary by office. Knowing ahead of time means no surprises on the day you come in.

Note: The fee covers the license itself, not certified copies. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate later, that is a separate charge through the county or MDH.

Search Rice County Marriage Records on MOMS

The Minnesota Official Marriage System covers Rice County records back to 1855. MOMS is free and open at moms.mn.gov. You search by name. Results show both parties' names, the county of issue, and the date. No login or fee is required to use it.

Rice County's records on MOMS go back well over a century and a half. That depth makes the system useful not just for recent verification but also for genealogy and historical research. If you are tracing family history in south-central Minnesota, this index is a strong starting point. The search is basic by design. Enter a last name, optionally add a first name or year range, and browse the results.

MOMS shows the index entry only, not the full license document. To get the actual certificate, you need to request a certified copy from Rice County or the MDH. MOMS is best used to confirm whether a marriage took place, to find the date, or to figure out which county to contact for copies.

The MDH vital records overview at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords explains how MOMS fits into the statewide records system and what other resources are available for marriage records research.

The MDH vital records page shown below provides context for how statewide marriage records are organized and how Rice County records connect to the state system.

MDH maintains the statewide index and is the central authority for issuing certified copies of Minnesota marriage certificates for any county, including Rice County.

Certified Copies of Rice County Marriage Records

Two main options exist for getting a certified copy of a Rice County marriage certificate. You can request one from the Rice County Recorder directly, or you can order through the Minnesota Department of Health.

Going through the county is often the faster route. The Recorder has direct access to local records and can process your request without routing it through a state agency. Call 507-332-6113 to ask about their fee, how to submit your request, and how long it takes. Some offices allow in-person or mail requests.

MDH charges $9 per certified copy. You can order by mail or online through the MDH vital records page. This is a good option when the event happened a long time ago, when you are not local, or when you prefer dealing with one central source for multiple records. MDH orders take longer than county orders, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.

For international use, a certified copy of your marriage certificate may need an apostille. The Minnesota Secretary of State handles apostilles at a fee of $5 per document. Learn more at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. You must have the certified copy first before applying for the apostille, so start with the county or MDH step.

Historical Marriage Records in Rice County

Rice County's MOMS index begins in 1855, which makes it one of the deeper historical indexes in southern Minnesota. If you are doing genealogy research involving ancestors who lived in the Faribault area or the surrounding region, that index is an important first stop. Many records from the 1800s are indexed there even if the originals are fragile or incomplete.

The Minnesota Historical Society also maintains a guide to marriage records research statewide. Their library guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage covers what resources exist for different time periods and where records are held. For very old records or those not indexed in MOMS, this guide can point you to microfilm collections, county record books, or other archives.

The Rice County Recorder also maintains original records at the courthouse. For records that predate digital systems, the Recorder's office is the right place to call first. Staff can tell you whether the record you need exists in their system and how to request it.

Cities in Rice County

Rice County includes Faribault, Northfield, and several smaller communities. All marriage licenses for the county are issued through the Recorder in Faribault, regardless of where in the county you live or are getting married.

Northfield and Faribault are the two largest communities in Rice County. Neither currently meets the population threshold for an individual city page on this site. Residents and visitors throughout Rice County apply for marriage licenses at the same Recorder's office at 320 NW 3rd St in Faribault.

Nearby Counties