Stearns County Marriage Records

Stearns County marriage records are managed by the county's License Center in the St. Cloud area. The county serves central Minnesota and is one of the more populous counties in the state. If you need a marriage license or a certified copy of a marriage certificate, the License Center handles both. Two locations serve the area, and a drive-thru option is available. Birth and death records from 1870 are also kept at the same office.

Stearns County License Center

Stearns County operates two locations for marriage license applications and vital records. The Administration Building is at 705 Courthouse Square, Room 130, Saint Cloud, MN 56303. The Service Center location is at 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN 56387. Both are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. A drive-thru service option is available and follows the same hours. Call 320-656-6540 for more information before your visit.

Both applicants must appear in person to get a marriage license. You cannot apply online or by mail. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate from the prior marriage. Stearns County also offers an online pre-application that lets you fill out some information ahead of time, which can make the in-person visit faster.

The main Stearns County website is at stearnscountymn.gov. The License Center page is at stearnscountymn.gov/288/License-Center. That page has current fee information, hours for both locations, and details about online pre-application. Birth and death records going back to 1870 are also available at the License Center alongside marriage records.

Visit the Stearns County License Center page to review services, hours for both locations, the online pre-application option, and current fees for marriage licenses and vital record copies.

The Stearns County License Center in the St. Cloud area handles marriage licenses, birth records, death records, and other vital statistics for all residents of the county.

How to Get a Marriage License in Stearns County

Applying for a marriage license in Stearns County starts with an in-person visit to either the Courthouse Square office in St. Cloud or the Waite Park Service Center on County Road 138. Both applicants must appear together. The online pre-application lets you fill out basic information before you arrive, which cuts down on the time spent at the counter. Once you are there, staff review your documents, take the fee, and issue the license.

The standard fee is $115. If you and your partner completed a 12-hour premarital education program, the fee is $40. Bring proof of course completion when you apply. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.08, the license becomes effective immediately. No waiting period applies. It is valid for six months from the date of issue and can be used anywhere in Minnesota.

Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $9 each. You can order them on the day you apply or at any point after the ceremony is filed. The drive-thru service is a convenient option for simple document requests if you don't need to go inside. For more complex requests, visiting a counter inside either office is the better route.

Note: Stearns County maintains birth and death records from 1870. If you need multiple vital records during the same visit, staff at either location can assist with all of them at once.

Searching Stearns County Marriage Records

MOMS at moms.mn.gov is the statewide database for Minnesota marriage records. Stearns County participates in MOMS, so records indexed by the county appear there. You can search by name and year to check whether a marriage took place in Stearns County. Certified copies must be ordered from the county recorder, not through the online search tool.

If you need a certified copy or want to confirm a specific record exists, call the License Center at 320-656-6540. Staff can search by name and date. Older records may take more time. The county has maintained records since the early settlement era, and some historical records may also be available through the Minnesota Historical Society at mnhs.org. If you are doing genealogical research covering the St. Cloud area, both sources are worth checking.

Mail requests for certified copies are accepted. Include the full names of both parties, the year of marriage, and a check or money order for $9. Contact the office first to get the exact mailing address and any form they want included with your request.

Minnesota Marriage Law in Stearns County

Minnesota marriage statutes in Chapter 517 apply to all 87 counties equally. The Stearns County License Center acts as the local registrar under Section 517.01 and is responsible for issuing licenses and recording completed certificates.

Both parties must be 18 or older. A 16 or 17-year-old needs written parental consent to apply. Minnesota has no blood test requirement and no waiting period since August 2016. Two witnesses who are at least 16 must be present at the ceremony and sign the license. The officiant files the completed license with the county recorder within five days under Section 517.10. After it is filed, the license becomes a permanent public record held by Stearns County.

Your Social Security number is required on the application but does not print on the license itself. The license is valid for ceremonies held anywhere in Minnesota within the six-month window. If the ceremony does not happen within that time, you must apply for a new license and pay the fee again.

Cities in Stearns County

Stearns County is home to St. Cloud, the county seat and largest city. All marriage licenses and certificates issued in the county are maintained by the Stearns County License Center.

Other communities in Stearns County include Waite Park, Sauk Rapids, Cold Spring, and St. Joseph. Marriage records for all these communities are filed at the Stearns County License Center.

Nearby Counties

Stearns County sits in central Minnesota and borders several neighboring counties. Each has its own recorder office for local marriage records.