Getting a Marriage License in Washington County
Washington County marriage licenses are handled by Property Records and Taxpayer Services at the Government Center in Stillwater. Applicants must appear in person, complete the application, and pay the fee there.
The license is a vital record, not a court filing. Divorce, by contrast, stays in District Court and is searched through the case file system.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Bring identification, complete the application, sign the oath in person, and pay the fee. Washington County’s process is straightforward, but it still requires an in-person stop at the office.
- Go to the Government Center office.
- Bring the required identification and application details.
- Both parties sign the application in person.
- Pay the marriage-license fee.
- Use the license within its valid period.
Marriage License Application Fields
The application asks for basic identity and prior-marriage information so the county can issue the license correctly.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | Yes | Use the name you want recorded on the application. |
| Date of Birth | Yes | Used to verify eligibility. |
| SSN | Yes, if you have one | Collected on the county application. |
| Prior Marriages | Yes | Prior marriage history is part of the form. |
Washington County Marriage and Divorce Fees
Washington County publishes separate fee schedules for marriage licenses and court filings. The marriage fee is a vital-record fee; the divorce filing fee is a district-court fee.
The marriage-license statute and reduced-fee authority are spelled out in Minnesota law, which is why the county office asks for the application in person.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $125 |
| Certified marriage cert copy | $10 |
| Divorce filing | $405 |
| Certified divorce decree copy | District court copy fee |
How to Look Up Washington County Marriage Records
Marriage records are requested through Washington County Vital Records, not the district court case system. If you need a certified copy, the county records office is the right place to start.
Washington County does not participate in the Minnesota Official Marriage System, so the county office is the better source for its own certificates.
How to Find Washington County Divorce Records
Divorce records are filed with Washington County District Court Family Division. Search MCRO by party name or case number and limit the search to Family when you know the case type.
A divorce file may include the petition, financial documents, temporary orders, the judgment and decree, and later motions. Some family materials are restricted or redacted.
Getting Certified Copies
Certified marriage copies come from Washington County Vital Records. Certified divorce copies come from Court Administration because the divorce is a court file, not a vital record.
Washington County Vital Records
Washington County Vital Records handles marriage licenses and marriage certificates for the county. It is also the place to ask for county marriage-copy help instead of the court clerk.
Property Records and Taxpayer Services
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-430-6175