Finding Minnesota Marriage Records

18-- Michigan laws required counties to record marriages
1 April 18--, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state
An additional 19-- law resulted in greater statewide compliance
Michigan marriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1820 1805 to 1867 1867 to 1925 1926 to 1935 1936 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1820

Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
1805 to 1820 very few records exist

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1820 to 1867

Minnesota Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
	Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1867	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties:
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use theFamily History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

Search the FHLC by county.
Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1868 to 1925

Minnesota Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925	Free; most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.
Try 2nd:
	Minnesota, County Marriages, 18-- -19--	Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties:
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

Search the FHLC by county.
Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	Minnesota, County Marriages, 19---19--	Free; most counties 19---19--: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch. Does not include the following counties:
Try 2nd:
	County Clerk	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
	Minnesota Department of Health	If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the Michigan Department of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Michigan Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use theFamily History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

Search the FHLC by county.
Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present

Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

Copies may be ordered from the county clerk.

Copies may be ordered from the Minnesota Department of Public Health.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		From MN Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

References

Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Minnesota. Prepared by the Minnesota Historical Records Survey Project. Division of Community Service Programs Work Projects Administration. C 1941 St. Paul, MN The Minnesota Historical Records Survey Project. FHL film 1036716; book:977.6 V23h; fiche 6051362

American Indian Vital Records

1845-1953 Consolidated Chippewa Records. Bureau of Indian Affairs FHL film 1294364 (first of 13)

How to Find Minnesota Marriage Records

Finding Minnesota Marriage Records

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

Marriages Before 1820

Marriages 1820 to 1867

Marriages 1868 to 1925

Marriages 1926 to 1935

Marriages 1936 to Present

References

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