Yellow Medicine County Marriage Records

Yellow Medicine County marriage records are handled through the Property and Public Services department in Granite Falls, the county seat in southwestern Minnesota. This office manages marriage license applications and vital records for the county. If you need a marriage license or a certified copy of a marriage certificate issued in Yellow Medicine County, the Property and Public Services office is the place to contact. Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a license.

Yellow Medicine County Property and Public Services

The Yellow Medicine County Property and Public Services office is at 180 8th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241. The phone number is 320-564-3132. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This office handles marriage licenses and vital records for the county. Contact the office before your visit to confirm what documents you need and what the current process looks like for marriage license applications in Yellow Medicine County.

Both applicants must appear together to get a marriage license. No one can apply by mail or on behalf of another person. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If either party was married before, bring the divorce decree or the death certificate that ended that prior marriage. The office collects full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage details for the application.

The county website is at co.ym.mn.gov. The Property and Public Services page is at co.ym.mn.gov/departments/property_public_services/. That page provides contact information and describes the services the office handles. Online information is available, though services may be more limited compared to larger Minnesota counties. Calling ahead at 320-564-3132 is the best first step.

Visit the Yellow Medicine County Property and Public Services page to find contact details, office hours, and information about marriage licenses and vital records in Granite Falls.

Yellow Medicine County routes marriage license applications and vital records through Property and Public Services rather than a separate recorder office, so confirming the current process with staff in Granite Falls before your visit is recommended.

Getting a Marriage License in Yellow Medicine County

To get a marriage license in Yellow Medicine County, both applicants visit the Property and Public Services office in Granite Falls. Call 320-564-3132 before your visit to confirm what to bring and how the application process works. As in all Minnesota counties, both parties must appear together. The office issues the license at that visit. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 517.08, no waiting period applies. The license is valid immediately and stays valid for six months for any ceremony held anywhere in Minnesota.

The standard fee is $115. Couples who completed a 12-hour premarital education program pay only $40. Bring documentation of course completion when you apply. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are $9 each. Contact the office about how to order copies in person or by mail. Because this county routes vital records through a different department than a standard recorder office, calling ahead ensures you get current information about the process.

Minnesota requires a valid photo ID and Social Security number from both applicants. If you have been married before, your divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse is required. The office records all of this information and issues the license once the application is complete. The license is good statewide for six months from the date it is issued.

Note: Yellow Medicine County handles marriage records through Property and Public Services. Call ahead to confirm the current process before making the trip to Granite Falls.

Finding Yellow Medicine County Marriage Records

The statewide MOMS database at moms.mn.gov is the best starting point for an online search. Some Yellow Medicine County records may appear in the index. If a record shows up, contact the county office directly for a certified copy. Because the county's online services are limited, calling 320-564-3132 is often more reliable than relying on web-based searches alone.

For in-person requests, go to 180 8th Avenue in Granite Falls during business hours. Staff can search by name and approximate date. For mail requests, call first to confirm the mailing address and payment requirements. Include the full names of both parties, the year of marriage, and a $9 check or money order per copy. For genealogical research on older records from Yellow Medicine County, the Minnesota Historical Society at mnhs.org has supplemental indexes for southwestern Minnesota counties that may cover earlier records from the county's history.

Minnesota Marriage Law in Yellow Medicine County

Minnesota marriage statutes in Chapter 517 apply uniformly across all 87 counties, including Yellow Medicine County. Under Section 517.01, the local registrar is responsible for issuing licenses and recording completed marriage certificates. In Yellow Medicine County, Property and Public Services serves in this role.

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need written parental consent. 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 has five days after the ceremony to return the completed license to the county under Section 517.10. Once the county files it, the marriage is a permanent public record.

SSNs are required on the application but are not printed on the issued license. The license is valid for ceremonies held anywhere in Minnesota for six months. Yellow Medicine County stores filed marriage records and they are accessible to the public through the Property and Public Services office during normal business hours. These rules are the same in Yellow Medicine County as in every other Minnesota county.

Nearby Counties

Yellow Medicine County is in southwestern Minnesota and borders these counties. Each county maintains its own marriage records at the local level.