Search Le Sueur County Marriage Records

Le Sueur County marriage records are filed and stored at the County Recorder's office in Le Center. The county has maintained vital records since 1853, making it one of the older record sets in the state. You can search Le Sueur County marriage records through the MOMS online database or visit the Recorder to request certified copies. This page explains what you need and how the process works.

Le Sueur County Recorder

The Le Sueur County Recorder in Le Center handles all marriage license applications and maintains the county's vital records. Both applicants must appear in person to get a license. The Recorder's office also handles requests for certified copies of past marriage certificates. Records go back to approximately 1853, giving researchers access to some of the earliest marriage records in Minnesota.

You can find service details and contact information at co.le-sueur.mn.us. The Recorder department page at co.le-sueur.mn.us/departments/recorder/ lists current forms and requirements. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order. Staff can answer questions about the application process or how to request older records.

Getting a Marriage License in Le Sueur County

You and your future spouse must go to the Recorder's office together. There is no waiting period under Minnesota law, so the license is valid the same day it is issued. It stays good for six months. If you do not use it within that window, it expires and you must apply again and pay a new fee.

Both people need a valid photo ID. Government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport is accepted. Your Social Security number is required at the time of application, though it will not appear on the license itself. Any prior marriages must be documented. Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or a death certificate for each previous marriage. The Recorder needs proof that the marriage was legally ended before issuing a new license.

Under Minn. Stat. 517.08, these requirements apply to all Minnesota counties. Le Sueur County does not add local rules on top of the state ones. The fee for a standard license is $115. If one or both of you complete a 12-hour premarital education course, the fee drops to $40. Ask the Recorder for a list of approved providers if you want the reduced fee.

After the wedding, the officiant files the signed license with the Le Sueur County Recorder within five days. Two witnesses who are at least 16 must sign as well. Once filed, the Recorder records the marriage as a permanent county record.

Finding Le Sueur County Marriage Records

Start with the Minnesota Official Marriage System for online searches. MOMS covers Le Sueur County and lets you search by name. The index will show you if a record exists and provide basic details. You cannot download the certificate through MOMS, but you can confirm what you need before contacting the Recorder.

To get a certified copy of a Le Sueur County marriage certificate, go to the Recorder's office or mail a written request. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date, and your contact information. Copies cost $9.00 each. Minnesota law limits who can get a certified copy, so be ready to state your relationship to the record.

For genealogy research, the Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage holds older indexes and may have records not yet in MOMS. Given that Le Sueur County records go back to 1853, some early documents may require a visit or request to the Historical Society.

Minnesota Statutes on Marriage

The Minnesota Revisor of Statutes publishes the full text of Chapter 517, which governs marriage in the state. The image below shows the statute search portal, where you can look up specific sections that apply to marriage licenses and records in Le Sueur County.

Chapter 517 sets the rules for who can marry, how to apply for a license, who can perform the ceremony, and how records are kept. These rules are uniform across all Minnesota counties, including Le Sueur.

Minnesota Marriage Laws

Minnesota's marriage law is in Chapter 517 of Minnesota Statutes. Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is needed. No residency requirement applies. You can get a license in Le Sueur County even if you live in another state, as long as the ceremony takes place in Minnesota.

Under Minn. Stat. 517.01, the marriage must be performed by an authorized officiant. Judges, court administrators, and ordained clergy are all valid options. The officiant files the completed license with the county within five days of the ceremony under Minn. Stat. 517.10. That filing is what creates the legal marriage record.

Le Sueur County records are public, but access to certified copies is limited. You need to show a tangible interest as defined in Minnesota law. The Recorder can tell you what documentation to provide when you make your request.

Nearby Counties

Le Sueur County borders these counties. Each county's Recorder office handles marriage records for its own jurisdiction.