Big Stone County Marriage Records
Big Stone County marriage records go back to 1881 and are kept by the County Recorder in Ortonville. The Recorder's Office handles all marriage license applications and certified copy requests for the county. You can also search records online through the free Minnesota Official Marriage System. This page covers the key steps for applying for a license and finding marriage records in Big Stone County, Minnesota.
Big Stone County Overview
Big Stone County Recorder
The Big Stone County Recorder handles marriage licenses and vital records for the county. The office is in the courthouse in Ortonville, which sits on the South Dakota border in western Minnesota. Records here date back to 1881, covering both marriage records and birth and death records from that same year. Military discharge records are also accepted for filing at this office.
The phone number is 320-839-6390, with a second line at 320-839-2525. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visit the county online at bigstonecounty.gov/recorder for additional details on the Recorder's services.
| Office | Big Stone County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | Big Stone County Courthouse 20 Second Street SE Ortonville, MN 56278 |
| Phone | 320-839-6390 or 320-839-2525 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bigstonecounty.gov |
Marriage Licenses in Big Stone County
Both people must appear in person at the Recorder's Office to apply. Bring a valid photo ID. The standard fee is $115. With a completed 12-hour premarital education course, the fee is reduced to $40. You must provide a notarized educator's statement to get the lower rate. The educator must be a licensed minister or therapist, and their names must match what is on the application.
Under Minnesota Statute 517.08, the application requires full legal names, birth dates, current addresses, and Social Security numbers. If either person was previously married, bring a divorce decree or death certificate to show the prior marriage ended. The license is valid for six months anywhere in Minnesota. There is no waiting period, so you can marry the same day you pick up the license.
You can begin the application process online through MOMS.mn.gov. The system allows you to fill out the form at home and then complete the process in person at the Recorder's Office. After your wedding, the officiant must file the signed certificate with the county Recorder within five days. That requirement comes from Minnesota Statute 517.10.
Searching Big Stone County Marriage Records
Big Stone County marriage records are searchable online through MOMS.mn.gov. This free statewide database covers all 87 Minnesota counties. Records in the system for Big Stone County go back to 1881. Search by name, date, or both. Use exact match for precise searches, Soundex for name variations, and wildcard for partial names.
Results include both parties' names, the marriage date, and the county holding the record. To get a certified copy, contact the Recorder's Office after you find the record. Marriage records are public data under Minnesota Statutes Chapters 13 and 517. Anyone can request access, not just the parties named in the record.
For records not found in MOMS or for older records that may be in paper indexes only, call the office at 320-839-6390. Staff can help with manual searches. Genealogy researchers often use Big Stone County records since they go back to the early 1880s.
Certified Marriage Certificates in Big Stone County
Certified copies cost $9 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For a mail request, send a written request to the Big Stone County Recorder at 20 Second Street SE, Ortonville, MN 56278. Include a check for $9 per copy, the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and your return address.
Under Minnesota Statute 517.101, the Recorder must issue a certified copy to anyone who requests one and pays the fee. Certified copies are the official legal version and are needed for name changes, passport applications, and similar matters. Plain informational copies cost less but are generally not accepted for legal purposes.
Cities in Big Stone County
Big Stone County includes Ortonville and several small communities along the Minnesota-South Dakota border. No cities in Big Stone County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Big Stone County is in western Minnesota. Check these neighboring counties if you live near a county line.