Winona County Marriage Records

Winona County marriage records are kept by the county's Vital Statistics office in Winona, the county seat in southeastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River. Two office locations serve the county, making it easier for residents to apply for a marriage license or request certified copies. Birth and death records from 1870 are also available at both locations. Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license.

Winona County Vital Statistics

Winona County operates two locations for marriage licenses and vital records. The main Vital Statistics office is at 202 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987. Phone: 507-457-6414. The License Center is at 1213 Gilmore Avenue, Winona, MN 55987. Phone: 507-457-6325. Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Birth and death records from 1870 are maintained at both locations.

Both applicants must appear in person at either location to apply for a marriage license. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If you were married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate ending that prior marriage. The office collects full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage details. This becomes part of the permanent record in Winona County.

The county website is at co.winona.mn.us. The Vital Statistics page is at co.winona.mn.us/departments/vital_statistics/. That page has contact information for both office locations. Online information is available, and Winona County participates in the statewide MOMS database for marriage record searches.

The Minnesota Official Marriage System at moms.mn.gov is the statewide database for searching marriage records across all 87 counties, including Winona County, with records dating back to the 1850s.

MOMS covers records from most counties going back well over a century and is free to use for basic name and date searches, with Winona County participating fully in the statewide index.

Getting a Marriage License in Winona County

Both applicants go to either the Vital Statistics office on West Third Street or the License Center on Gilmore Avenue. The choice is yours. Both offices process marriage license applications and handle vital records. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.08, no waiting period applies. The license is valid immediately and works anywhere in Minnesota for six months from the issue date.

The standard fee is $115. Couples who completed a 12-hour premarital education course pay $40. Bring documentation of course completion. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are $9 each. You can order them on the day you get your license or at any point after the Recorder files the completed certificate. Having two convenient locations in Winona is helpful if you live or work on different sides of the city.

Winona County has maintained birth and death records from 1870. For people who need multiple vital records on the same visit, the Vital Statistics office or the License Center can handle all requests at once. The county participates in MOMS, so marriage records are indexed in the statewide database for online access.

Note: Both the Vital Statistics office and the License Center process marriage license applications. Call the location closer to you to confirm availability and ask any questions before your visit.

Searching Winona County Marriage Records

MOMS at moms.mn.gov covers Winona County marriage records. Search by name and year to find a record. If a match comes up in the statewide index, contact the Winona County Vital Statistics office to order a certified copy. The MOMS search shows the county of record but does not provide the certificate directly.

For in-person searches, go to either office in Winona during business hours. Staff at both locations can look up records by name or date. For certified copy requests by mail, call one of the offices to confirm the process and mailing address. Include the full names of both parties, the year of marriage, and a $9 check or money order. For genealogical research on older records, the Minnesota Historical Society at mnhs.org has supplemental indexes for southeastern Minnesota counties including Winona County going back many decades.

Minnesota Marriage Law in Winona County

Chapter 517 of the Minnesota Statutes governs marriage records uniformly across all 87 counties. The local registrar in Winona County acts under Section 517.01 and is responsible for issuing licenses and recording completed certificates after the officiant files them.

Both parties must be 18 or older. Parental consent is required for applicants who are 16 or 17. No blood test is required. The waiting period was eliminated in August 2016. Two witnesses at least 16 years old must be present at the ceremony and sign the license. The officiant returns the completed license to the county within five days under Section 517.10. The county records it and the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record.

SSNs are required on the application but do not appear on the issued license. The license is valid statewide for six months. Winona County keeps all filed marriage records and they are accessible to the public at either office location during normal business hours.

Nearby Counties

Winona County is in southeastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River. These neighboring counties each maintain their own marriage records locally.