Clay County Marriage Records

Clay County marriage records go back to 1872 and are maintained by the County Recorder in Moorhead. The office handles all marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and vital records for the county. You can also search Clay County marriage records online for free through the Minnesota Official Marriage System. This page covers what you need to know to apply for a license or find an existing marriage record in Clay County, Minnesota.

Clay County Recorder

The Clay County Recorder is at 3510 12th Avenue South in Moorhead, which borders Fargo, North Dakota. The Recorder handles vital records for the county, including marriage records from 1872, birth records from February 1873, and death records from January 1873. A public viewing station is available at the office for those who want to look up birth and death records in person.

The phone number is (218) 299-5031. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The county has more information on its vital records page at claycountymn.gov/1138/Vital-Records. The main county site is at claycountymn.gov. Cash, check, and money order are accepted. Marriage certificate request forms are available by mail or in person.

Getting a Marriage License in Clay County

Both parties must appear at the Recorder's Office in person. Bring a valid driver's license, state ID, or passport. The standard fee is $115. With 12 hours of approved premarital education, the fee is reduced to $40. To get the lower rate, bring a signed, notarized educator's statement on official letterhead from a licensed minister or marriage therapist. Under Minnesota Statute 517.08, the application requires full legal names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, parents' maiden names, and prior marriage information if applicable.

If either person was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate. The license is valid for six months anywhere in Minnesota. There is no waiting period. You can use the license the day you receive it. After the ceremony, the officiant must file the signed certificate with the Clay County Recorder within five days, as required by Minnesota Statute 517.10.

You can start the process online through MOMS.mn.gov before your visit. Clay County notes that in the MOMS system, the middle name is indexed as the second first name. Keep this in mind when searching older records for people with middle names that were commonly used.

Searching Clay County Marriage Records

Clay County marriage records are searchable online through MOMS.mn.gov. This free statewide system covers all 87 Minnesota counties. Clay County records in the database go back to 1872. Select Clay County from the dropdown or search all counties. Enter a last name and first name to start. Date range filtering helps when you have an idea of when the marriage occurred.

The three search modes available are exact match, Soundex, and wildcard. For Clay County, note that middle names are indexed as second first names. If you search with a first name and get no results, try the middle name in the first name field instead. Results list both parties' names, the marriage date, and the county holding the record. Contact the Recorder to request a certified copy for $9.

For very old records or records not indexed in the online system, call (218) 299-5031. Staff can search paper indexes. Historical records may also be available through the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County. Marriage data is public under Minnesota Statutes Chapters 13 and 517.

Cities in Clay County

Clay County includes Moorhead and several other smaller communities along the North Dakota border. No cities in Clay County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage records for the county are issued through the Recorder's Office in Moorhead.

Nearby Counties

Clay County is in northwestern Minnesota, bordering North Dakota. Check these nearby counties if you live near a border.