Marriage Information

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To apply for a marriage license:

  • A  Marriage Application must be completed before the issuance of a license. If you do not have access to a computer, we have a computer available to use in our office to complete the online marriage application.
  • The cost of a marriage license is $115.00
  • Government Issued Photo ID must be shown at time of license application process.
  • If you have had at least 12 hours of premarital education with a minister or a person licensed to practice marriage and family therapy, you may qualify for reduced fees. The cost of a reduced fee marriage license is $40. To qualify an Educator's Statement must be completed and brought to the office before the issuance of a license.
  • Due to the length of time required to process a marriage license application, it is recommended that couples seeking a marriage license arrive at the office no later than 3:00 pm.
Big Stone County also issues certified copies of marriage certificates and has records dating back to 1881.

  • The cost to obtain a certified marriage certificate is $9.
  • The marriage license must have been issued in Big Stone County to receive a certified copy.
The Minnesota County Recorder’s Association has developed Minnesota Official Marriage System to search for marriages that have taken place in Minnesota. Marriage certificates still need to be obtained from the county where the license was purchased.