The official performing the marriage ceremony completes the marriage certificate and files it with the Administration Center, Northern Service Center or Western Service Center within five days of the ceremony.
A certified copy of the marriage certificate will be mailed to the newly married couple.
Dakota County only has marriage records for those who applied for their license in our county. To purchase additional copies in person, visit any of the three locations below during business hours. Bring the necessary fees and a completed
Marriage Certificate Application.
Reserve your appointment
Drop box available
Paper work can be submitted via drop boxes at each location.
Walk-ins available
Service and license centers are open for walk-ins. However, making an appointment is encouraged.
View walk-in wait times
Fees
Each certified copy: $9
Payment options
Cash, check, money orders, and credit or debit cards (Discover, Visa or MasterCard) are accepted. A 2.49-percent convenience fee is charged for credit and debit cards on this county service.
Make checks payable to: Dakota County
Purchase additional copies by mail, drop box or email
Mail or drop off the
Marriage Certificate Application and fees to one of the locations listed. You can also email the form to nscservicedesk@co.dakota.mn.us or dakotacountyvitals@co.dakota.mn.us.
Make a marriage certificate amendment
Per state law, you can request amendments to your marriage certificate to fix errors.
What can be amended
- Missing information
- Misspelled names
- Date and place of marriage
What can't be amended
- Any change in last names that occur after marriage.
To change a last name after marriage, please seek a court-ordered name change from District Court.
How to make a change
A single requestor is only able to request amendments to their own information.
- Complete the Affidavit to Amend a Marriage Record
- Provide all required supporting documents showing issuance dates prior to the marriage.
- Pay the $40 fee. The $40 fee is nonrefundable even if the requested amendment is unable to be fulfilled.
For a list of acceptable supporting documentation, please see our Marriage Record Amendment Instructions.
Translated documents
Any supporting documentation in languages other than English must be translated. The person translating the documents must also complete a Certificate of Translation Form. This will be provided at the time the request is submitted.
If you have questions, contact the Northern Service Center at 651-554-6531 or nscservicedesk@co.dakota.mn.us.