Nicollet County Marriage Records

Nicollet County marriage records are kept by the County Recorder in St. Peter. You can search for marriage licenses and certificates going back to 1853, and the statewide Minnesota Official Marriage System gives you online access to indexed records from across the state. Whether you need to find a license, get a certified copy, or look up a past marriage, this page covers what you need to know about Nicollet County marriage records and how to access them.

Nicollet County Recorder

The Nicollet County Recorder handles marriage licenses and vital records for the county. The office is located at the county building in St. Peter. Staff can help you apply for a marriage license, get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, or look up a record by name or date. Records go back to when the county was formed in 1853.

Both people getting married must come in together to apply. You both need a valid government-issued photo ID. If either of you was married before, bring the final divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The recorder's office processes the application and sends the license to the county for recording after the ceremony is complete.

Getting a Marriage License in Nicollet County

Applying for a marriage license in Nicollet County is straightforward. Both people must appear at the Recorder's Office in person at the same time. There is no waiting period in Minnesota. The law changed on August 1, 2016, so couples can get married right after picking up the license if they want. The license stays valid for six months from the date of issue anywhere in the state.

The standard license fee is $115. If both of you complete at least 12 hours of premarital education from an approved provider, the fee drops to $40. You need to bring proof of the course completion when you apply. This discount is set by Minnesota Statute 517.08, which outlines all license requirements and fee schedules.

Your Social Security number is required for the application. It will not appear on the license itself. If you were born outside the United States and do not have an SSN, tell the recorder's office when you apply. They can walk you through what other documents to bring.

Note: The license is valid statewide. You do not have to get married in Nicollet County just because you got your license there.

What You Need to Bring

The recorder's office asks for specific information from each applicant. Having everything ready before you go saves time. The main items are straightforward: photo ID and your Social Security number. The other items only apply in certain situations.

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Full legal names of both parents, including mother's maiden name
• If previously married: final divorce decree or death certificate for prior spouse
• Payment for the license fee (cash, check, or money order)

Under Minnesota Statute 517.01, both parties must be 18 or older to marry without parental consent. The law sets out who may legally marry in the state and what conditions apply. If either applicant is under 18, additional steps are required and you should contact the recorder's office ahead of your visit.

Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony. Both witnesses need to be at least 16 years old. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony, and the signed license gets returned to the recorder's office to be recorded as the official marriage certificate.

Search Nicollet County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) is the main tool for searching marriage records online. It covers all 87 Minnesota counties and lets you search by name. The index shows the names, county, and year of marriage. To get a certified copy of the actual certificate, you still need to contact the county where the license was issued.

Nicollet County records go back to 1853. Older records that predate digital indexing may require an in-person visit or a written request to the recorder's office. Staff can search by name or date if you do not have a case number. Certified copies cost $9 each. You need to have a tangible interest in the record to get a certified copy, meaning you are one of the parties, a family member, or have a legal need for the document.

The Minnesota Department of Health also maintains some statewide vital records. For most county-level marriage searches, though, the recorder's office and MOMS are your best starting points. MDH records tend to focus on statewide reporting rather than individual certificate copies.

After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony happens, the officiant fills out the license and signs it. The signed license must be returned to the Nicollet County Recorder's Office within five days of the ceremony under Minnesota Statute 517.10. The recorder then records it as an official marriage certificate. If the license is not returned, the marriage may still be legally valid, but you will have no official record on file.

After the record is filed, you can order certified copies. Most people need at least one or two for name changes, insurance updates, or other legal matters. Each certified copy costs $9. You can request copies in person at the St. Peter office or by mail. Include your contact information, the names of both parties, and the year of marriage when sending a written request.

Name changes after marriage require a certified copy of the marriage certificate. The Social Security Administration, state DMV, passport office, and most financial institutions will all ask for this document. Plan to order more than one copy if you have multiple agencies to notify.

Minnesota Marriage Records Online

The Minnesota Official Marriage System provides a free public index of marriage records from all Minnesota counties, including Nicollet County.

Use MOMS to search by name and confirm which county holds the record before contacting the recorder's office for a certified copy.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Nicollet County. If you are not sure which county has the record you need, check the MOMS index first to find the right county of issue.