McLeod County Marriage Records
McLeod County marriage records are on file at the County Recorder's office in Glencoe, Minnesota. The county has kept vital records since 1856, and you can search McLeod County marriage records through the Minnesota Official Marriage System or contact the Recorder directly for certified copies. This page covers how to apply for a license, find a past record, and request official documents in McLeod County.
McLeod County Overview
McLeod County Recorder
The McLeod County Recorder in Glencoe handles all marriage license applications and stores vital records going back to 1856. Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a license. The Recorder also handles certified copy requests for past marriage records on file in the county.
Details about the Recorder's services are at co.mcleod.mn.us, with the Recorder department at co.mcleod.mn.us/departments/recorder/. McLeod County is in south-central Minnesota and is served by the Recorder's office in Glencoe, the county seat. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order.
| Office | McLeod County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 830 11th Street East, Glencoe, MN 55336 |
| Phone | (320) 864-5511 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.mcleod.mn.us/departments/recorder/ |
| License Fee | $115.00 standard / $40.00 with premarital education |
| Copy Fee | $9.00 per certified copy |
Getting a Marriage License in McLeod County
Both people must appear at the Recorder's office together. This is a state requirement that the Recorder cannot waive. There is no waiting period in Minnesota, so the license is issued and valid the same day. You have six months to use it. After that, it expires and you have to apply and pay again.
Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport works. Social Security numbers must be provided at the time of application, but they will not be printed on the license. If either of you was married before, bring documentation showing that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree or a death certificate is required for each previous marriage.
Under Minn. Stat. 517.08, these rules are the same in all 87 Minnesota counties. McLeod County does not add any local requirements on top of the state ones. If both applicants complete a 12-hour premarital education program from a state-approved provider, the fee is reduced from $115 to $40. Ask the Recorder for approved providers when you visit.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and files it with the McLeod County Recorder within five days. Two witnesses who are at least 16 years old must also sign. The Recorder records the filing and stores it permanently in the county's vital records archive.
How to Search McLeod County Marriage Records
Use the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) to search online. MOMS includes McLeod County records and allows name-based searches. The system shows basic information like party names and marriage date. It does not give you the actual document.
To get a certified copy of a McLeod County marriage certificate, contact the Recorder in Glencoe. You can visit in person, send a written request by mail, or call to ask about their preferred method. Include both party names and the approximate date of the marriage in your request. Copies cost $9.00 each.
Older records dating to the mid-1800s may also be found through the Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage. Their collections include indexes and microfilm for many counties, including McLeod. This is helpful if you are researching a marriage from before MOMS coverage.
Note: McLeod County vital records are maintained through the Recorder's office. There is no separate vital records department in this county.
Minnesota Marriage Records Online
The Minnesota Official Marriage System is the state's primary public search tool for marriage records. The screenshot below shows the MOMS search portal, which covers McLeod County and allows public name-based searches.
After locating a record in MOMS, contact the McLeod County Recorder in Glencoe to request a certified copy if you need one for legal or personal use.
Marriage Law in Minnesota
Minnesota's marriage statutes are in Chapter 517. Both parties must be at least 18. There is no waiting period, no blood test requirement, and no residency requirement. You can apply in McLeod County even if you do not live there, as long as the ceremony will take place in Minnesota.
Under Minn. Stat. 517.01, an authorized officiant must perform the ceremony. Judges, court administrators, and licensed or ordained clergy all qualify. After the ceremony, the officiant files the signed license with the county within five days per Minn. Stat. 517.10. The Recorder then records it as a permanent document.
McLeod County maintains all marriage records permanently and can certify copies for legal use. Certified copies issued by the Recorder carry the same authority as the original document.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with McLeod County. Marriage licenses are county-specific, so check which county the couple lived in when the marriage occurred.