Blue Earth County Marriage Records

Blue Earth County marriage records go back to 1865 and are managed by the County License Center in Mankato. Whether you are applying for a new license or requesting a certified copy of an older record, the License Center is your main point of contact. Online searches are available through the MOMS statewide system. This page covers the details for marriage records in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

Blue Earth County License Center

Blue Earth County handles marriage records through its License Center in Mankato. The office is in the county complex on South 5th Street. This is where you go to apply for a marriage license, request certified copies, or ask about existing records. The office closes for lunch and has a firm 4:00 PM cutoff for arrivals, so plan your visit early in the day.

Two phone numbers reach the License Center: 507-304-4343 and 507-389-8284. The county also provides detailed information on its marriage records page at www.blueearthcountymn.gov/857/Marriage-Records. The main county website is at blueearthcountymn.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Getting a Marriage License in Blue Earth County

Both people must be present to apply. The fee is $125 for a standard license. If you have both completed at least 12 hours of approved premarital education, the fee is $50. To get that discount, bring a signed, notarized educator's statement on official letterhead from a licensed minister or marriage therapist. Names on the statement must match the application exactly.

Under Minnesota Statute 517.08, the application must include full legal names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and information about prior marriages. Each person must show valid identification. If you were previously married, bring your divorce decree or a death certificate to prove that marriage ended. You can apply up to six months before your wedding date. The license itself stays valid for six months.

Blue Earth County offers an online application option. You can complete the marriage license application online at home or at the counter. The county's online form is a good way to get organized before your visit. Both parties still need to appear in person to sign and pay. The county also has forms available for download on its website, including the Premarital Educator's Statement and the Certified Copy of Marriage Request Form.

No refunds are given once you pay for a license. If your plans change, the fee is not returned. Apply with that in mind, and only pay once your wedding date is set or within the six-month window you plan to use the license.

Record Access and Privacy Rules

Blue Earth County has an important distinction in how it handles marriage records depending on when the marriage occurred. Records prior to 1997 are considered fully public. Anyone can request a copy without restrictions. Records from 1997 onward contain some confidential information and are partially restricted. The confidential portions are not released to the general public.

This matters if you are doing genealogy research or trying to find a specific record. For older records before 1997, any member of the public can ask for a copy. For more recent records, you may need to be a party to the marriage or show a legitimate need. Call 507-304-4343 if you have questions about access before making a request.

All certified copies cost $9 each. There are no refunds. This applies to both in-person and mail requests. Under Minnesota Statute 517.101, the county is required to issue certified copies to eligible requesters upon payment of the fee.

Searching Blue Earth County Marriage Records

Start your search at MOMS.mn.gov. This is the free statewide Minnesota Official Marriage System. Blue Earth County records in the database go back to 1865. To search, enter a last name and first name. Add a date range if you know it. The system has three search modes: exact, Soundex, and wildcard.

Results show both parties' names, the marriage date, and the county holding the record. Contact the Blue Earth County License Center to request a certified copy once you identify the record. The License Center page at blueearthcountymn.gov/163/License-Center has current hours and additional service details.

Note: For records after 1997, access may be limited based on the confidential portions of those records. Contact the office before requesting if you are not a party to the marriage.

Cities in Blue Earth County

Blue Earth County's largest city is Mankato, where the License Center is located. No cities in Blue Earth County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage licenses and records are handled through the Mankato License Center.

Nearby Counties

Blue Earth County is in south-central Minnesota. If you live near a county border, apply in your county of residence.