Find Marriage License Records in Stearns County

Stearns County marriage licenses are handled by the County Recorder office in St. Cloud. The office has served couples across central Minnesota for well over a century, and its MOMS records go back to 1860. If you need to apply for a license, search old marriage records, or get a certified copy of a past marriage, this page covers what the Stearns County Recorder offers and how to use it.

Stearns County Recorder Office

The Stearns County Recorder is the office you go to for all marriage license applications in the county. It is located at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Phone is 320-656-3850. Both people planning to marry must come in together. You cannot send just one person with paperwork for the other. Staff will take both signatures in person and verify your identity before issuing the license.

Stearns County is one of the larger counties in central Minnesota, and St. Cloud is a regional hub, so the Recorder's office handles a high volume of applications compared to smaller rural counties. If you plan to go in on a Friday afternoon or around a holiday weekend, it is worth calling ahead to ask about wait times. The office generally follows standard county business hours, but confirming before you drive in is always smart.

The Recorder's office also handles certified copies of marriage records and other vital records services. If you need a copy of an old marriage certificate from Stearns County, that is the right place to start.

The Stearns County Recorder's marriage license page has current fees, requirements, and instructions for applying at the St. Cloud courthouse.

The Stearns County marriage license page covers everything you need to know before visiting the St. Cloud courthouse office.

Applying for a Marriage License in Stearns County

Both applicants must appear in person at the Stearns County Recorder office. Each person must have a valid government-issued photo ID. A Minnesota driver's license, state ID, or a passport all qualify. If either applicant was previously married, you will need a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. This is a hard requirement. Bring the actual certified document, not a photocopy.

Minnesota dropped its waiting period for marriage licenses in September 2016. There is no delay between when you pick up your license and when you can use it. You can get married the same day you receive the license if your ceremony is that day. The license stays valid for six months from the date of issue. If the six months pass without a ceremony, you would need to apply again and pay the fee again.

The standard Stearns County marriage license fee is $115 to $125. Couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education program can qualify for a reduced fee of around $40 to $50. The recorder's office can tell you what documentation they need to verify your course. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, both applicants must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with written consent from a parent or legal guardian. No one under 16 may marry in Minnesota, and no blood test is required under current law.

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

Stearns County Vital Records

The Stearns County Recorder handles more than just marriage licenses. The Stearns County Vital Records office within the Recorder's department provides certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records for events that happened within the county. If you need proof of a marriage that took place in Stearns County, this is one of two places you can get it.

The other option is the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office, which issues certified copies statewide for $9 per document. MDH is a good choice if you want to order by mail or cannot easily visit the St. Cloud office. The MDH county registrar directory lists the current Stearns County contact number as 320-656-3850.

The Stearns County Recorder also maintains the county's recorder and vital records functions, accessible through the county's official web portal.

The Stearns County Recorder page covers all services available at 705 Courthouse Square in St. Cloud, including marriage license applications and certified copies.

Search Stearns County Marriage Records Online

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, known as MOMS, is the free state database for searching Stearns County marriage records. The index goes back to 1860, which is early in the county's history and gives genealogists a lot to work with. You can search by name, narrow by date range, and filter by county. No login or fee is required. MOMS is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and is available to anyone.

MOMS shows index-level data including names and dates. Full document images are not always available for older records. If you find a record in MOMS and need a certified copy, contact the Stearns County Recorder at 320-656-3850 or order through MDH. For records that predate 1860 or for research that goes beyond what MOMS shows, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide points to older microfilm collections and county archives that may fill in the gaps.

The Stearns County Vital Records page provides details on ordering certified copies of marriage documents from the county recorder's office in St. Cloud.

The Stearns County Vital Records page explains how to request certified copies of marriage records from the county recorder.

After the Wedding: License Return and Registration

Once your ceremony is over, your officiant handles returning the signed license to the county. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant must file the completed license within five days of the ceremony. The couple does not do this step. It is entirely the officiant's job. Stearns County then sends the record to the Minnesota Department of Health for statewide registration.

If your officiant is new to performing weddings or needs guidance, the MDH marriage reporting page covers what officiants need to do and what the county expects. Getting this right matters. A late or missing return can cause delays if you later need a certified copy for a name change, insurance claim, or other legal purpose.

For international use of your marriage certificate, an apostille from the Minnesota Secretary of State costs $5 per document. You will need a certified copy from the county or MDH first before you can request the apostille. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.03, certain marriages are not permitted under Minnesota law. Questions about eligibility are best directed to an attorney.

Cities in Stearns County

Stearns County is home to St. Cloud, which is the county seat and the largest city in the region. St. Cloud has its own page with more detail on marriage license resources specific to the city. Other communities in Stearns County include Sauk Centre, Sartell, St. Joseph, Melrose, and Paynesville. These cities do not have separate pages, but residents throughout the county apply for marriage licenses at the same Recorder office at 705 Courthouse Square in St. Cloud.

Nearby Counties

Marriage licenses in Minnesota are issued at the county level. You may apply in any county you choose, but the license is tied to that county's records.