Wright County Marriage Records

Wright County marriage records are kept by the County Recorder in Buffalo, the county seat in the northwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Recorder's office at the Wright County Government Center handles marriage license applications, land records, and vital records for the county. Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. Wright County is one of the faster-growing counties in Minnesota, and the Recorder's office in Buffalo processes a substantial volume of marriage records each year.

Wright County Recorder Office

The Wright County Recorder is at Wright County Government Center, 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Suite 1500, Buffalo, MN 55313. The phone number is 763-682-7355. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Recorder handles marriage licenses, land records, and vital records. Passport services are also available at this office. Online information and forms are available through the county website.

Both applicants must appear together at the Recorder's office 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 that ended the prior marriage. The Recorder collects full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage information. All of this goes into the county's permanent marriage record system.

The main county website is at co.wright.mn.us. The Recorder's page is at co.wright.mn.us/168/Recorders-Office. That page provides current contact details, services, and any online options. Wright County participates in the statewide MOMS database, so marriage records are searchable online through that system.

The Wright County Recorder's Office page details services available at the Government Center in Buffalo, including marriage licenses, land records, passport services, and certified vital record copies.

Wright County's Recorder office in Buffalo processes marriage licenses and maintains the county's vital records in one of the fastest-growing counties in the Twin Cities metro area.

Getting a Marriage License in Wright County

Applying for a marriage license in Wright County means visiting the Recorder's office in Buffalo. Both applicants go together. The application takes about 20 to 30 minutes with documents ready. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.08, no waiting period applies. The license is valid immediately and is good for ceremonies held anywhere in Minnesota for six months from the issue date.

The standard fee is $115. Couples who completed a 12-hour premarital education program before applying pay $40. Bring documentation of course completion when you go to the Recorder's office. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $9 each. You can order them at the time of application or at any point after the officiant files the completed license with the county.

Wright County also offers passport services at the Recorder's office. If you need a passport soon after your marriage, you can schedule both during the same trip to the Government Center in Buffalo. Land records and other vital records are also available through the Recorder. Online forms are available through the county's website to help streamline some preparation before your in-person visit.

Note: Wright County participates in MOMS. Marriage records are indexed in the statewide database, making online lookups possible for most recent records.

Finding Wright County Marriage Records

The MOMS database at moms.mn.gov is the best starting point for an online search. Wright County participates in MOMS, so its marriage records are indexed and searchable. Search by name and year to find a record. Certified copies must be ordered from the Wright County Recorder. The online search shows the county and year but does not provide the actual certificate.

For in-person searches, go to the Government Center at 3650 Braddock Ave NE in Buffalo during normal business hours. Bring a valid ID and the names and approximate year of the marriage you are looking for. Staff can search the records system and help with certified copy requests. Mail requests are also an option. Call 763-682-7355 first to confirm the current mailing address and required forms. Include the full names of both parties, the year of marriage, and a $9 check or money order per copy. For older historical records, the Minnesota Historical Society at mnhs.org has supplemental materials for Wright County that may cover early settlement era records.

Minnesota Marriage Law in Wright County

Minnesota marriage statutes in Chapter 517 apply in Wright County as in every other county in the state. The County Recorder acts as the local registrar under Section 517.01 and is responsible for issuing licenses and recording completed marriage certificates.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. A 16- or 17-year-old needs written parental consent. No blood test is required in Minnesota. The waiting period was eliminated on August 1, 2016. Two witnesses at least 16 years old must be present at the ceremony and sign the completed license. After the ceremony, the officiant has five days to return the signed license to the county recorder per Section 517.10. The Recorder files it and the record becomes a permanent public document held by Wright County.

SSNs are required on the application but do not appear on the license itself. The license is valid statewide for six months from the date it was issued. Wright County stores and maintains all filed marriage records per state guidelines and processes public record requests through the Recorder's office in Buffalo.

Nearby Counties

Wright County is in the northwestern Twin Cities metro and borders several counties. Each county recorder maintains local marriage records independently.