Sherburne County Marriage License
Sherburne County marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder in Elk River. Both applicants must appear in person at the same time to apply. The Recorder's office handles all vital records for the county and participates in the statewide MOMS index, which covers Sherburne County records back to 1870. This page covers what you need to bring, how the application works, what fees to expect, and how to get certified copies of Sherburne County marriage records.
Sherburne County Overview
Sherburne County Recorder
The Sherburne County Recorder is the office that issues marriage licenses in this county. It is at 13880 Business Center Dr NW in Elk River. The Recorder manages vital records, processes license applications, and serves as the county's local registrar by reporting completed marriages to the Minnesota Department of Health. Staff can answer questions about what documents you need and what to expect during your visit.
Sherburne County has a well-organized set of online resources for marriage records. The Recorder's main page is at co.sherburne.mn.us/550/Recorder. Their dedicated marriage license page at co.sherburne.mn.us/551/Marriage-License lays out what you need and how the process works. The vital records page at co.sherburne.mn.us/552/Vital-Records covers records access, including how to get certified copies.
The Sherburne County marriage license page shown below is the primary official source for applicants in this county.
This page from the Sherburne County Recorder is the best place to check for current requirements, fees, and any changes to the application process before you come in.
| Office | Sherburne County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 13880 Business Center Dr NW, Elk River, MN 55330 |
| Phone | 763-765-4350 |
| Recorder Page | co.sherburne.mn.us/550/Recorder |
| Marriage License | Marriage license information |
| Vital Records | Vital records services |
The MDH county registrar directory also lists Sherburne County. That page is a good independent check for phone and address details if you want to verify before your visit.
The Sherburne County Recorder page shown below covers the full range of services the office provides, including its role in maintaining marriage records for the county.
The Recorder maintains all official records for Sherburne County and is the first contact for anything related to marriage license applications or record requests in this county.
How to Get a Marriage License in Sherburne County
Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 517.08 sets the rules for all 87 counties. The Sherburne County Recorder follows these rules for every application. Both applicants must appear at 13880 Business Center Dr NW in Elk River at the same time. Neither party can apply alone, and there is no mail-in or online-only application path.
When you go to the Recorder, bring the following for each applicant:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Your Social Security number
- If you were previously married: a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse
- Payment for the license fee
Both applicants must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply if a parent or guardian appears in person and provides written consent, as required by Minn. Stat. § 517.04. No one under 16 may marry in Minnesota.
There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Sherburne County or in Minnesota. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. Since September 2016, Minnesota has had no waiting period, so the ceremony can take place the same day you receive the license. No blood test is required.
Certain close-relative marriages are prohibited under Minn. Stat. § 517.03. If you have any questions about whether your situation qualifies, call the Recorder at 763-765-4350 before your visit.
Sherburne County Marriage License Fees
The standard fee in Sherburne County is between $115 and $125. This is the typical range across Minnesota. Some counties offer a reduced rate of $40 to $50 for couples who have completed a state-approved 12-hour premarital education program. Ask the Recorder at 763-765-4350 whether Sherburne County currently offers this option and which programs qualify.
Payment is due when you apply. Confirm the exact current fee and accepted payment types before your visit. Knowing this in advance avoids surprises at the counter. The fee is for the license itself. Certified copies of your marriage certificate, if needed after the wedding, are a separate charge through the county or through MDH.
Search Sherburne County Marriage Records on MOMS
Sherburne County marriage records are searchable through the Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov. The index runs from 1870 forward. MOMS is free. No account or fee is required. Search by last name, add a first name or date range to narrow results, and browse the entries. Each result shows both parties' names, the county of issue, and the marriage date.
With records going back to 1870, the Sherburne County index gives genealogy researchers access to marriages from the early settlement period in this part of central Minnesota. The MOMS interface is simple. You can run a broad name search and filter as needed. If you know the approximate decade, even that helps narrow down a long list of results.
MOMS shows the index entry only. It is not a copy of the full license document. If you need the actual certificate, request a certified copy from the Recorder or MDH. MOMS is best used to confirm a marriage happened, find the date, and identify the county before making a formal records request.
The Sherburne County vital records page shown below explains how the Recorder manages marriage records and what services are available for records access in this county.
The vital records section of the Sherburne County site covers certified copy requests, what identification you need, and how to contact the office for records assistance.
Certified Copies of Sherburne County Marriage Records
To get a certified copy of a Sherburne County marriage certificate, your two main options are the County Recorder and the Minnesota Department of Health. Each route has its own fee and timeline.
The Sherburne County Recorder at 13880 Business Center Dr NW handles local requests and has direct access to county records. Call 763-765-4350 to ask about the fee for certified copies, how to submit a request, and how long it takes. The county site's vital records page at co.sherburne.mn.us/552/Vital-Records gives specific guidance on what the office needs from you to process a request.
MDH charges $9 per certified copy of a Minnesota marriage certificate. You can order through the MDH vital records page. MDH is a good option for older records, for out-of-state requestors, or when you want a centralized process. Allow more time when ordering through MDH compared to going directly to the county.
If the certified copy needs an apostille for international use, the Minnesota Secretary of State handles that at $5 per document. Full instructions are at sos.mn.gov/notary-apostille. You need the certified copy in hand before you can apply for the apostille, so start that step early if you have a deadline.
Cities in Sherburne County
Sherburne County includes Elk River and several other communities in the greater Twin Cities exurban area. All marriage licenses for the county are issued at the Recorder's office in Elk River, regardless of which community you live in.
Big Lake, Becker, and Elk River are among the larger communities in Sherburne County. None of these cities currently meets the population threshold for an individual city page on this site. All residents and visitors in Sherburne County apply for marriage licenses at the same Recorder's office at 13880 Business Center Dr NW in Elk River.