Becker County Marriage Records

Becker County marriage records have been kept since 1871 and are maintained by the County Recorder in Detroit Lakes. Whether you need to apply for a new marriage license or get a certified copy of an older record, the Recorder's Office is your contact. You can also search Becker County marriage records online through the Minnesota Official Marriage System at no charge. This page walks you through the process for marriage records in Becker County.

Becker County Recorder

The Becker County Recorder handles all marriage records for the county. The office is located at the county courthouse in Detroit Lakes. This is where you go to apply for a license, request a certified copy, or get help with a records search. The Recorder also keeps birth and death records going back to 1871, along with land records and other vital documents.

The Recorder's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 218-846-7304. You can also find more details on the county website at www.co.becker.mn.us. Becker County also accepts passport applications at this office.

Getting a Marriage License in Becker County

Applying for a marriage license in Becker County is straightforward. Both parties must appear at the Recorder's Office in person. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. The standard fee is $115. If you and your partner completed at least 12 hours of approved premarital education before applying, the fee is reduced to $40. To get the lower rate, your educator must provide a signed, notarized statement on official letterhead.

The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued. There is no waiting period in Minnesota. You can get married the same day you get the license if you choose. The license is valid anywhere in the state, not just in Becker County. If you were previously married, bring your divorce decree or death certificate to show the prior marriage ended.

Under Minnesota Statute 517.08, the application must list full legal names, birth dates, addresses, and Social Security numbers for both parties. The Recorder collects this information at the time of application. Social Security numbers are gathered but do not appear on the license itself.

You can begin the application process online through MOMS.mn.gov. Starting the form at home before your visit to the courthouse can speed things up. You still must sign and pay in person at the Recorder's Office. The office handles land record searches online, and land records are searchable separately from marriage records.

Searching Becker County Marriage Records

The best place to start a marriage record search for Becker County is the Minnesota Official Marriage System. MOMS is a free public database that covers all 87 Minnesota counties. Becker County records go back to 1871 in the system. You search by entering a last name, first name, and optional date range. The system offers exact, Soundex, and wildcard search modes depending on how much information you have.

Results from MOMS show the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and the county where the record is held. Once you find the record, you contact the Becker County Recorder to request a certified copy. Copies cost $9 each. You can get them in person at the courthouse or by mailing a request with payment.

For older records that may not be in the online index, call the Recorder's Office at 218-846-7304. Staff can search paper indexes and older files. Marriage records are public data in Minnesota, so anyone may request access under Chapters 13 and 517 of state law.

Note: MOMS shows the application date for each record, not necessarily the wedding date. For the exact ceremony date, request a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the Becker County Recorder.

Minnesota Marriage Law Basics

All Minnesota counties follow the same state laws for marriage. Under Minnesota Statute 517.01, marriage is a civil contract. A license is required. The ceremony must take place in the presence of at least two witnesses aged 16 or older. The officiant must be authorized by law. Judges, court administrators, ordained ministers, and registered civil marriage officiants are all authorized under Minnesota Statute 517.04.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Close relatives cannot marry. Anyone still legally married to another person cannot get a license. These restrictions are set out in Minnesota Statute 517.03. The Recorder reviews these requirements when you apply.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes and signs the marriage certificate. It must be filed with the Becker County Recorder within five days under Minnesota Statute 517.10. The Recorder records the certificate and it becomes part of the permanent county marriage record. Certified copies can then be issued under Minnesota Statute 517.101.

Cities in Becker County

Becker County includes Detroit Lakes and several other smaller communities. No cities in Becker County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage licenses for the county are issued at the Recorder's Office in Detroit Lakes.

Nearby Counties

Becker County is in northwestern Minnesota. If you live near a county border, apply for your license in the county where you reside.