Search Rice County Marriage Records

Rice County marriage records are filed with the County Recorder in Faribault. The county has kept records going back to 1853, one of the older collections in southern Minnesota. If you need to apply for a marriage license, look up a historical record, or get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, the Rice County Recorder's Office in Faribault handles all of that. The statewide Minnesota Official Marriage System also lets you search records online before contacting the county.

Rice County Recorder

The Rice County Recorder's Office in Faribault processes marriage license applications, records completed licenses after ceremonies, and issues certified copies of marriage certificates. The recorder's office serves the county seat of Faribault and all communities within Rice County. Records date back to 1853 and include a rich collection of vital records from the county's long history.

Both applicants must appear at the recorder's office in Faribault in person at the same time to apply for a marriage license. This requirement applies statewide under Minnesota law. The office is open standard business hours Monday through Friday. Cash, check, and money order are accepted for fee payments. Call the office ahead of your visit if you have any special situations or documentation questions.

Rice County Recorder Resources

The Minnesota Department of Health vital records office offers guidance on processing times and how to request marriage records in Rice County and statewide.

MDH information helps set expectations for certified copy timelines, though requests for Rice County records go directly to the county recorder's office in Faribault, not to MDH.

Marriage License Process in Rice County

Both people getting married must appear together at the Rice County Recorder's Office in Faribault. This is required under Minnesota Statute 517.08. Each applicant brings a valid photo ID and provides their Social Security number. The standard fee is $115. Couples who have completed at least 12 hours of premarital education from a state-approved provider pay the reduced fee of $40.

Minnesota has had no waiting period for marriage since August 1, 2016. You can hold the ceremony immediately after picking up the license or at any point within six months. The license can be used anywhere in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license along with two witnesses who are at least 16. The signed license must be returned to the Rice County Recorder within five days per Statute 517.10.

Once the office records the license, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You can then order certified copies for $9 each. Most people need at least one or two copies for name changes and other legal purposes. Written requests by mail are accepted in addition to in-person requests.

What Each Applicant Needs to Bring

Having the right documents ready before you visit the recorder's office keeps things moving quickly. Here is what each person applying for a marriage license in Rice County needs to provide.

• Valid government-issued photo ID for each applicant
• Social Security number for each applicant
• Full legal names of both parents, including mother's maiden name
• If previously married: certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate for prior spouse
• License fee in cash, check, or money order

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under Minnesota Statute 517.01. If one or both applicants is under 18, additional requirements apply and you should contact the recorder's office before visiting. Social Security numbers are collected for state vital records reporting and do not appear on the marriage license or certificate.

Note: Bring original documents rather than copies. The recorder's office reviews originals and returns them to you on the spot after the application is processed.

Searching Rice County Marriage Records

The Minnesota Official Marriage System is the main online search tool for Rice County marriage records. MOMS covers all 87 Minnesota counties and lets you search by name for free. You can find the year and county of a marriage and confirm that a record exists before reaching out to the county. MOMS is an index only, not a certified copy provider.

Rice County records go back to 1853. The recorder's office maintains both older paper records and digital records for more recent marriages. If a MOMS search does not return results for a record you expect to find, the recorder's staff can search paper indexes manually. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Include both parties' names, the approximate year, and your contact information in written requests. Certified copies cost $9 each.

The Minnesota Department of Health provides statewide vital records guidance and can help if you are uncertain where a record is held. For Rice County records specifically, the recorder's office in Faribault is the definitive source for certified copies and historical records.

Nearby Counties

Rice County is in south-central Minnesota, south of the Twin Cities metro area. These bordering counties maintain their own marriage records.