Swift County Marriage License Lookup

Swift County marriage licenses are handled by the Auditor-Treasurer office in Benson, not the County Recorder as in most Minnesota counties. If you need to apply for a marriage license or search past marriage records in Swift County, go to 301 14th St N in Benson. The MOMS index covers Swift County records from 1875 through current, giving genealogists well over a century of searchable history.

Swift County Auditor-Treasurer Office

In Swift County, the Swift County Auditor-Treasurer handles vital records and marriage licenses. This is different from most Minnesota counties where the County Recorder takes care of this function. If you go to the wrong office, you will be redirected to Auditor-Treasurer. Save yourself the extra trip and go to the right place from the start: 301 14th St N, Benson, MN 56215. The phone number is 320-843-4924.

Both people planning to marry must come in to the Benson office together. You cannot send one person in to pick up a license for both. Each applicant must be present, must show photo ID, and must sign the application in front of staff. Benson is the county seat and the main service hub for all of Swift County, so if you live in one of the smaller communities, plan for the drive to downtown Benson.

The Auditor-Treasurer office handles the full range of vital records services for Swift County, including marriage, birth, and death records. If you need a certified copy of a past Swift County marriage, this is the county-level office to contact.

Applying for a Swift County Marriage License

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all qualify. If either applicant was previously married, you need a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Not a photocopy. An actual certified document with the appropriate seal or official marking. This is a firm requirement the office cannot waive.

Minnesota has no waiting period. Since September 2016, you can apply for your license and use it the same day. There is no delay built into the process. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. If you do not use it within that window, it expires and you would need to start over and pay the fee again. There is no residency requirement. You do not have to live in Swift County or even in Minnesota to apply for a license here.

Under Minn. Stat. § 517.04, both applicants must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 may apply with written parental or guardian consent. No one under age 16 may marry in Minnesota. No blood test is required. The fee runs $115 to $125 for a standard license. Couples who complete a 12-hour premarital education course can qualify for a reduced fee in the $40 to $50 range. Confirm what documentation the Auditor-Treasurer office needs before you sign up for a course.

Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 517.08, the application must be completed by both parties in the presence of the county official handling the license.

Swift County Vital Records

The Swift County vital records function sits within the Auditor-Treasurer's department. Marriage licenses are processed here along with birth and death records. If you need a certified copy of a marriage record from Swift County, this is the right office to call. Staff can tell you what is available and what the fees and turnaround times look like for your request.

You can also order certified copies through the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office for $9 per document. MDH is a good option if you need to order by mail or do not want to travel to Benson. The MDH county registrar directory lists the current Swift County contact number as 320-843-4924.

For records that need to be used internationally, an apostille from the Minnesota Secretary of State costs $5 per document. You need a certified copy of the marriage record before you can apply for an apostille. The Secretary of State handles apostilles statewide and is not a county-level function.

The Swift County Auditor-Treasurer vital records page shows what services are available for marriage licenses and certified copies in Benson.

The Swift County vital records page covers marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and the Auditor-Treasurer's full role in managing county marriage records.

Search Swift County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System, MOMS, holds Swift County records from 1875 to present. The database is free and open to anyone. Search by name, filter by county and date range, and browse results without needing a login or paying a fee. MOMS is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and covers 85 of Minnesota's 87 counties, including Swift County.

MOMS returns index-level data including names and dates. If you find a record and need a full certified copy, contact the Swift County Auditor-Treasurer at 320-843-4924 or order through MDH Vital Records. For genealogy work that goes back before 1875, the Minnesota Historical Society marriage records guide points to older collections on microfilm and archived county documents that may fill in the gaps left by the MOMS index.

The Swift County Auditor-Treasurer office page covers all county services, including the vital records and marriage license functions handled in Benson.

The Swift County Auditor-Treasurer is the office to contact for all marriage license questions, not the County Recorder.

After the Ceremony: Filing the License

Once your wedding is done, your officiant must return the signed license to Swift County within five days. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.13, the officiant handles this step, not the couple. Swift County sends the record on to the Minnesota Department of Health for statewide registration. This chain of filing is what makes your marriage an official state record and what allows certified copies to be issued later.

If your officiant needs guidance, send them to the MDH marriage reporting page. It explains what officiants are required to do and what the county expects after the ceremony. Under Minn. Stat. § 517.03, certain marriages are not permitted in Minnesota. Questions about eligibility are best directed to a licensed attorney, not the Auditor-Treasurer office.

Cities in Swift County

Swift County is in west-central Minnesota, with Benson as the county seat. Other communities in the county include Appleton, Kerkhoven, Murdock, and Clarkfield. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All Swift County residents apply for marriage licenses at the Auditor-Treasurer office at 301 14th St N in Benson.

Nearby Counties

Minnesota marriage licenses are issued by individual counties. Apply in any county you choose, but keep in mind your license will be recorded in that county.