Lac qui Parle County Marriage Records
Lac qui Parle County marriage records are kept at the County Recorder's office in Madison, Minnesota. You can search for marriage licenses and get certified copies through the Recorder. The county has maintained vital records since 1871, and the statewide MOMS database offers online index access for records going back many years. Whether you need proof of a marriage for legal purposes or want to trace a family line, this page covers how to find what you need in Lac qui Parle County.
Lac qui Parle County Overview
Lac qui Parle County Recorder
The Lac qui Parle County Recorder in Madison handles all marriage license applications and maintains the county's vital records. Both parties must appear in person to apply. You will need a valid photo ID, Social Security number, and information about any prior marriages. Records go back to about 1871. The Recorder's office is your starting point for any official marriage record in the county.
The office accepts cash, check, or money order for all fees. You can call ahead to confirm hours or ask about the process before you make the trip. The county seat of Madison is small, so the office is easy to find downtown. Staff can walk you through the forms and answer basic questions about what you need to bring.
| Office | Lac qui Parle County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 6th Street, Madison, MN 56256 |
| Phone | (320) 598-3536 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lacquiparlecounty.org |
| License Fee | $115.00 standard / $40.00 with premarital education |
| Copy Fee | $9.00 per certified copy |
Note: Always call the Recorder before your visit to confirm current fees and any updated requirements.
Getting a Marriage License in Lac qui Parle County
Both people getting married must go to the Recorder's office together. There is no waiting period in Minnesota as of August 1, 2016, so the license is valid right away. It stays valid for six months from the date issued, and you can use it anywhere in the state. If you let it expire, you have to start over and pay again.
You will need a valid, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport works fine. You must also provide your Social Security number, though it will not appear on the license itself. If either person was married before, you need to bring a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate showing how the prior marriage ended. This applies to all previous marriages, not just the most recent one.
Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. 517.08 governs the license application process statewide. Each county clerk follows the same base requirements. Lac qui Parle County uses forms available at the Recorder's office. Complete them there and pay before you leave. The Recorder issues the license the same day in most cases.
After the ceremony, your officiant must sign the license and file it with the county within five days. Two witnesses who are at least 16 years old must also sign. The Recorder then records the marriage and keeps it as part of the county's permanent vital records archive.
Search Lac qui Parle County Marriage Records
The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) at moms.mn.gov is the main online tool for searching marriage records across the state. It covers Lac qui Parle County and indexes records going back many decades. You can search by name to find a record, then contact the Recorder to request a certified copy.
MOMS is an index, not a document viewer. It tells you a record exists and gives you basic details like names and the date. To get a certified copy of the actual marriage certificate, you go to the Recorder in person or send a written request by mail. Copies cost $9.00 each. You will need to show you have a tangible interest in the record, as required by Minn. Stat. 144.225.
The Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage also holds older marriage records and indexes that can help with genealogy research. For records before the MOMS database range, this is often the best place to check.
Tip: MOMS works best with full legal names. If you do not find a result, try alternate spellings or a partial name search.
Minnesota Marriage Records Online
The Minnesota Official Marriage System is the state's primary public search tool for marriage license records. The screenshot below shows the MOMS search portal, which covers counties across Minnesota including Lac qui Parle.
Using MOMS, you can search by name to locate a marriage record, then follow up with the Lac qui Parle County Recorder to request a certified copy if needed.
Minnesota Marriage Law
Minnesota marriage laws are in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 517. The basic rules are the same across all 87 counties. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. There is no blood test requirement. The state eliminated its waiting period in 2016, so couples can marry on the same day they get the license if they want.
Under Minn. Stat. 517.01, a marriage must be solemnized by an authorized officiant. That includes judges, court administrators, licensed or ordained clergy, and some others. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the county within five days per Minn. Stat. 517.10. That filing creates the official record.
Lac qui Parle County follows all state requirements without exception. The Recorder's office keeps permanent records and can certify copies for use in legal proceedings, name changes, and other official purposes.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lac qui Parle County. If you are not sure which county issued the marriage license you are looking for, check the county where the couple lived at the time.