Get your certified Minnesota Marriage Certificate

Yes, you can order a Minnesota marriage certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. The online process allows you to submit your application, provide required information, and pay securely. Online orders are typically processed faster than mail-in requests. You will need to provide identifying information about both spouses and the date and location of the marriage.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Minnesota. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a Minnesota marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

The fee for a Minnesota marriage certificate varies by county, but typically ranges from $9 to $15 per copy. Marriage certificate is issued by the county where the marriage license was filed. Contact the specific county vital records office for exact fees and payment methods.

Yes. An authorized third party such as a spouse, parent, legal representative, or attorney may request a Minnesota marriage certificate on someone else’s behalf. You will typically need to provide a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your relationship and the purpose of your request. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as proof of authorization to obtain the record.

The MDH-OVR of Vital Records does not have a public counter, so in-person requests are not possible when ordering from the state health department. Marriage certificate is issued by the county office that created the original certificate. Hence, all requests must be submitted online, by fax, or by mail.

Access to Minnesota marriage records is generally open to the public. While finding free public records can be challenging, many vital records in Minnesota are available. You can look up records in the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS), a searchable database of most Minnesota marriage records.

Each Minnesota county and municipality creates unique marriage records. To ensure that you have the official certified copy of your marriage certificate, you should check what the documents look like, depending on where they were issued. Informational copies of marriage records usually have a stamp or large print across the face of the document that reads “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” or something similar.

Apostilles can be obtained from the Minnesota Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). You need an apostille when submitting documents to a foreign government, as this special certificate verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use. Apostilles are recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Convention.

VRO provides comprehensive apostille services for marriage certificate across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge this service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO offers expert support, and the service costs $149, plus any applicable government fees.

To manually request an apostille, you will need to provide the following information:

1. A completed Apostille Authentication Request Form
2. The original certified copy of the marriage record
3. Payment of $5.00 per document by check payable to: Minnesota Secretary of State
4. Self-addressed envelope with prepaid label, only if expedited delivery is needed

You can submit requests for marriage record apostilles to the Secretary of State at the following addresses:

For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

For standard mail, use the address below:

Contact the county where your marriage license was filed for instructions on correcting your marriage record. The process and requirements for amending a marriage certificate in Minnesota can vary by county.

Typically, amendments to marriage certificate will require:

1. A completed amendment application,
2. Supporting documentation,
3. Appropriate fee(s)
4. A notarized, sworn statement completed by an authorized person may be required, depending on the amendment to be made.