Scott County Marriage Records

Scott County marriage records are kept by the County Recorder in Shakopee, which is part of the southern Twin Cities metro area. If you need to get a marriage license or find a copy of a marriage certificate issued in Scott County, the Recorder's office handles both. The county sits south of Hennepin and Dakota counties, and its records go back to the early county period. Both applicants must show up in person to get a license. Certified copies are available by request at the same office.

Scott County Recorder Office

The Scott County Recorder handles marriage licenses and related vital records for the county. Both people who want to get married must appear at the office in person. You cannot apply by mail or send a representative. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, you need to bring the divorce decree or death certificate that ended your prior marriage.

The Recorder's office is at 200 - 4th Ave. W. in Shakopee. That is the county government center, and it is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or what the process looks like. Staff can walk you through the steps and let you know about any wait times. Scott County does not have a secondary satellite location, so all marriage license applications go through the Shakopee office.

The Scott County website at scottcountymn.gov has general county information. For the Recorder specifically, visit scottcountymn.gov/170/Recorders-Office. That page lists contact details and some general guidance on services offered.

Minnesota's vital records data request process, outlined by the Minnesota Department of Health, applies to marriage records maintained by county recorders like Scott County in Shakopee.

Understanding the state's data request guidelines helps when ordering certified copies of Scott County marriage certificates from the recorder's office in Shakopee.

How to Get a Marriage License in Scott County

Getting a marriage license in Scott County takes one visit to the Recorder's office. Both applicants show up together, fill out the application, and pay the fee. The whole visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have your documents ready. Minnesota has no waiting period, so the license is valid right away after you get it. The license stays valid for six months from the issue date and can be used anywhere in the state.

Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.08, both parties must apply in person at the county recorder's office. You need a valid photo ID, your Social Security number, and any divorce or death records from a past marriage. The Recorder may ask for your parents' full names, including your mother's maiden name. This information goes on the license and becomes part of the county's permanent marriage record.

The standard fee is $115. If you and your partner complete a 12-hour premarital education program before you apply, the fee drops to $40. You must show proof that you completed the course. Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $9 each and can be ordered at the time of application or after the ceremony.

Note: Scott County has limited participation in the statewide MOMS database. Contact the Recorder directly for record verification rather than relying on the online search tool.

Find Scott County Marriage Records

Most Minnesota counties participate in MOMS, which stands for Minnesota Official Marriage System. You can search that database at moms.mn.gov. Scott County's participation is limited, though, so not all records show up there. For the most reliable search, contact the Recorder's office directly and ask about a specific name or time period.

If you know the year the marriage took place and the names of both people, the Recorder can often do a quick search. Older records may take more time to locate. Scott County also has records that go back to the county's early days, though the format and availability of very old records can vary. For genealogical research, the Minnesota Historical Society at mnhs.org may have supplemental indexes or microfilm for older marriage records.

Certified copies of a marriage certificate cost $9. You can request them in person or by mail. A mail request should include the names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and a check or money order for the fee. The Recorder's office will confirm the current mailing address and any form requirements when you call.

Minnesota Marriage Law and Scott County

Minnesota marriage law is set out in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 517. The rules are the same across all 87 counties. Scott County follows state law on all license requirements, eligibility, and record-keeping duties.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. People who are 16 or 17 can get a license with written consent from a parent or guardian. The state does not require a blood test and has not since the requirement was removed years ago. There is also no waiting period. As of August 1, 2016, Minnesota eliminated the five-day waiting period that used to apply.

After the ceremony, the officiant has five days to file the completed license with the county where it was issued. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.10, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the county recorder. The Recorder then records it and files it as a permanent public record. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Minnesota during the six-month window.

The officiant can be a licensed or ordained minister, a civil magistrate, or any other person authorized under state law. Minnesota allows friends or family to get ordained online for a ceremony. Two witnesses who are at least 16 years old must be present and sign the license. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.01, the county recorder is the local registrar for marriage records in Scott County.

Nearby Counties

Scott County borders several other Twin Cities metro counties. Each county handles its own marriage records at the local recorder's office.