Morrison County Marriage Records
Morrison County marriage records are kept at the County Recorder's office in Little Falls, Minnesota. The county has maintained vital records since 1870, and you can search for Morrison County marriage records through the Minnesota Official Marriage System or contact the Recorder directly. This page covers how to get a marriage license, find an existing record, and request a certified copy in Morrison County.
Morrison County Overview
Morrison County Recorder
The Morrison County Recorder in Little Falls handles all marriage license applications, stores vital records, and processes certified copy requests. Morrison County serves as a local registrar of vital records for the Minnesota Department of Health, which means the Recorder's records are part of the official state system. Records go back to 1870.
You can find the Recorder at co.morrison.mn.us with the Recorder's department at co.morrison.mn.us/departments/recorder/. When requesting certified copies of Morrison County marriage records, a tangible interest form is required under Minnesota Statute 144.225. The Recorder's office can provide that form when you visit or mail your request. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order.
| Office | Morrison County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 213 1st Avenue SE, Little Falls, MN 56345 |
| Phone | (320) 632-0146 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.morrison.mn.us/departments/recorder/ |
| License Fee | $115.00 standard / $40.00 with premarital education |
| Copy Fee | $9.00 per certified copy |
Marriage Licenses in Morrison County
Both people must appear together in person at the Recorder's office in Little Falls. Neither party can apply alone or by mail. There is no waiting period in Minnesota. The license is valid the day it is issued and remains active for six months. After that, it expires and you have to apply again and pay a new fee.
Each applicant must bring valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport both work. Social Security numbers are required but will not be printed on the license. If either person was previously married, bring documentation that shows how that marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or a death certificate is needed for each prior marriage. Present originals or certified copies, not photocopies.
Under Minn. Stat. 517.08, these requirements are the same in all 87 Minnesota counties. Morrison County does not add any local rules. The premarital education discount brings the fee from $115 down to $40. Both applicants must complete a 12-hour approved program before applying to qualify for the reduced rate. Ask the Recorder for a current list of providers.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs and files the completed license with the Morrison County Recorder within five days. Two witnesses who are at least 16 must sign the document as well. The Recorder records and stores it permanently in the county's vital records archive.
Searching Morrison County Marriage Records
Use the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) to start your online search. MOMS includes Morrison County records and lets you search by name. When a match is found, you get basic information like party names and the marriage date. MOMS does not provide access to the actual document.
To get a certified copy, contact the Morrison County Recorder. You can go in person to the Little Falls office or send a written request by mail. Include both party names, the approximate date, and a completed tangible interest form. Copies are $9.00 each. Morrison County requires this form because the county acts as a local vital records registrar under Minnesota Department of Health rules.
The Minnesota Historical Society at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage has older marriage records and indexes useful for genealogy. Morrison County records go back to 1870, and some early records may be accessible through the Historical Society's collections rather than MOMS.
Note: Morrison County requires a tangible interest form for certified copy requests, as required by Minnesota Statute 144.225. Ask the Recorder for the form when you make your request.
Minnesota Marriage Records Online
The Minnesota Official Marriage System is operated by the state and provides a public index of marriage records from all counties including Morrison. The image below shows the MOMS search portal used to look up records statewide.
MOMS is the fastest way to confirm that a Morrison County marriage record exists before reaching out to the Recorder in Little Falls for a certified copy.
Minnesota Marriage Law
Marriage law in Minnesota is found in Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes. Both parties must be at least 18. There is no blood test, no waiting period, and no residency requirement. You can get a license in Morrison County regardless of where you live.
Under Minn. Stat. 517.01, the marriage ceremony must be performed by an authorized person. Judges, court administrators, and licensed or ordained clergy all qualify. After the ceremony, the officiant files the signed license with the county Recorder within five days per Minn. Stat. 517.10. This is what creates the official legal marriage record.
Morrison County stores all marriage records permanently. Certified copies issued by the Recorder carry full legal weight for use in courts, name changes, and official government processes.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Morrison County in central Minnesota. Check the adjacent county Recorder if the marriage you are looking for may have occurred nearby.