Crow Wing County Marriage Records

Crow Wing County marriage records go back to 1871 and are maintained by the Land Services Department in Brainerd. The department handles all marriage license applications and certified copy requests for the county. You can also search Crow Wing County marriage records online for free through the Minnesota Official Marriage System. This page covers what you need to know about marriage records in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.

Crow Wing County Land Services Department

In Crow Wing County, marriage records are handled through the Land Services Department rather than a standalone recorder's office. The department is at 322 Laurel Street, Suite 15, in Brainerd. This office maintains marriage records from 1871 to the present. Early marriage records from 1871 through 1921 are also indexed through MNGenWeb, which is a useful resource for genealogists researching Crow Wing County families.

The phone number is (218) 824-1280. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, which is an hour later than many other county offices in the state. Cash, check, and money order are accepted for payments. The county website at www.crowwing.gov has more details on the Land Services Department and what records are available.

Getting a Marriage License in Crow Wing County

Both parties must appear at the Land Services Department in person. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The standard fee is $115. With 12 hours of approved premarital education, the fee is reduced to $40. To qualify, bring a signed, notarized educator's statement on official letterhead from a licensed minister or therapist. The names on the statement must match the application exactly.

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 party was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate. The license is valid for six months. There is no waiting period, and the license works anywhere in Minnesota.

You can start the application online through MOMS.mn.gov. Crow Wing County marriage records in the MOMS system start from 1889. The county recorder also handles some vital records. Early records from 1871 through 1921 are indexed in the MNGenWeb project, which is a helpful genealogy resource for older Crow Wing County marriages.

After the wedding, the officiant must file the signed marriage certificate with the county within five days per Minnesota Statute 517.10. The Land Services office maintains these records permanently once filed.

Crow Wing County Marriage Records Lookup

Search Crow Wing County marriage records for free through MOMS.mn.gov. The statewide database covers all 87 counties. Crow Wing County records in the system are indexed from 1889 to the present. Full records go back to 1871 at the county office. To search, enter a last name and first name. A date range helps narrow the results. Use exact match, Soundex, or wildcard as needed.

Results show both parties' names, the marriage date, and the county holding the record. Contact the Land Services Department to get a certified copy for $9. You can also request copies by mail. For early records from 1871 to 1889, which may not be fully indexed in MOMS, call (218) 824-1280 for help.

Marriage records in Minnesota are public data under Chapters 13 and 517 of state law. Anyone may request access. MOMS searches are free. Certified copies cost $9 each. Note that early records from 1871 through 1921 may also be found through the MNGenWeb index for Crow Wing County.

Cities in Crow Wing County

Crow Wing County includes Brainerd and several communities in central Minnesota. No cities in Crow Wing County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All marriage licenses are issued through the Land Services Department in Brainerd.

Nearby Counties

Crow Wing County is in central Minnesota. Apply in the county where you reside.