How to Apply for an Anoka County Marriage License
Anoka County says applicants may apply for a Minnesota marriage license in any Minnesota county, regardless of residence. The wedding must take place in Minnesota within six months of license issuance. The county uses an online application first, then an in-person appointment with both applicants together.
- Complete the Anoka County online marriage license application in one session; the form cannot be saved.
- Save the Order Number generated at the end of the application.
- Schedule an appointment using the Order Number on the county appointment page.
- Both applicants appear in person together within 10 days of submitting the online application.
- Show identification: both must be 18 or older. Sign the application at the counter.
- Pay the license fee. A marriage packet is issued immediately, and the marriage may occur the same day.
The page shows the online application link, the appointment scheduler, and the fee block.
Anoka County Marriage License Application Fields
The online application asks for a fixed set of fields from each applicant. Both parties provide separate inputs.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full legal names | Text | Yes | Both applicants. |
| Address and state of residence | Text | Yes | Current home address for each. |
| Date and place of birth | Date / text | Yes | Both applicants. |
| Previous marriages | Text | Yes | Details on any prior marriage. |
| Names after marriage | Text | Yes | Full names parties intend to use. |
| Social Security number | Text | Yes | Required information per county page. |
| Felony conviction since Aug. 1, 2000 | Yes / no | Yes | Affects name-change rules. |
| Mailing address after marriage | Text | Yes | Where the certificate is sent. |
| Order Number | Auto | Yes for appointment | Generated at the end of the online form. |
State law in Minn. Stat. § 517.08 sets the statutory frame for the application. The official statute is at revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/517.08.
Anoka County Marriage License Fees
Two fees apply depending on whether the couple completes premarital education. The state legislature raised both fees effective July 1, 2025.
| Item | Amount | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Standard marriage license | $125 | July 1, 2025 |
| Reduced license after 12 hours of premarital education | $50 | July 1, 2025 |
| Certified marriage certificate copy | $9 each | Current |
To qualify for the reduced fee, both applicants must complete 12 hours of premarital education with a licensed or ordained minister, an authorized solemnizer, or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under Minn. Stat. § 148B.33. The educator signs a dated statement on letterhead that is either notarized or under church seal, and the couple submits the statement at application.
Section 517.08 also covers the application content, residency, and the premarital education discount.
Anoka County Marriage Certificate Requests
To get a certified copy of an Anoka County marriage certificate, the license must have been purchased in Anoka County. Each request needs both parties' maiden or prior full names and the date of marriage. Four submission paths work.
- In person at Vital Records, Government Center, 2100 3rd Avenue, Anoka, MN.
- Online through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS).
- Online by uploading a completed Marriage Certificate Request Form to the county pay link.
- By mail to Anoka County Vital Records, 2100 3rd Ave N, Anoka, MN 55303, with a check or money order.
The fee is $9 per certified copy. The Vital Records office accepts cash, check, credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), and Apple Pay.
The certificate page on the Anoka County site lists each request method and the $9 per-copy fee.
Anoka County Divorce Records in District Court
Minnesota is a no-fault dissolution state. Divorce records are District Court family case files, processed at Anoka County District Court for any divorce filed there. The Family Court line at (763) 760-6808 handles dissolutions, child support, paternity, and harassment cases. The Dissolutions Filing line is also (763) 760-6808, and Dissolution Scheduling is (763) 760-6575.
Search divorce records by party name through MCRO Case Search, with Family (FAM) checked under case category and Anoka selected as the location. MCRO only publishes court-prepared orders, opinions, and notices for family cases. Many filed pleadings, financial affidavits, and personal documents are not available remotely. The Anoka County Court Administration counter holds the full file.
Section 518.07 is the dissolution residency statute. The link goes to the official Minnesota statute.
Filing for Divorce in Anoka County
The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes the dissolution process through its Help Topics page. Court forms cover Petition, Answer, Joint Petition, Financial Affidavit, Parenting Plan, and Decree. The state runs Minnesota Guide and File for self-represented dissolution filings. A fee waiver under In Forma Pauperis is available for qualifying filers.
For divorce in Anoka County, the case sits with Anoka County District Court. The court's Self-Help Center, the Tenth District Self-Help Center, and the State Law Library all serve self-represented filers. For complex matters such as a contested custody case, the court's Find a Lawyer service can help locate counsel.
Anoka County Vital Records Office
The Vital Records office handles marriage records and other vital documents. It sits in the same Government Center as Court Administration but operates as a county department, not a court office. The address and contact info are below.
Anoka County Vital Records
2100 3rd Avenue
Anoka, MN 55303
763-324-1360
Fax: 763-324-1010
Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Property Records & Taxation
2100 3rd Avenue
Anoka, MN 55303
763-323-5400
Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Parent department for Vital Records
Vital Records does not handle divorce decrees or divorce case files. For certified copies of a divorce decree, contact Court Administration at (763) 760-6550 (Copies of Court Documents).
Confidential Family Records in Anoka County
Several family records are restricted by state law and court rule. Adoption records are confidential under Minn. Stat. § 259.61. Harassment and domestic abuse case documents are blocked from MCRO public remote access. Juvenile delinquency files are restricted under Minn. Stat. § 260B.171. Civil commitment documents are also blocked from MCRO remote access.
The court can still grant access for parties, attorneys, and authorized persons. Contact Court Administration for any sealed or restricted family file question. The Tenth District Self-Help Center can refer self-represented filers to the right resource.
Name Change at Marriage in Anoka County
State law on name change at marriage tightened in 2023. Effective August 1, 2023, a person with a felony conviction cannot change their name through the marriage process. That person must complete a name change through the district court. Minn. Stat. § 259.10 lays out the requirements for applying for a name change through District Court. Minn. Stat. § 259.13, subd. 5, allows a felony-convicted person to apply for a court name change with no fee if filed within 180 days after the marriage. A certified copy of the marriage certificate must be submitted to the court for that no-fee path.
The Change of Name line at Anoka County District Court is (763) 760-6800. Anoka County District Court hears the name change as a civil matter. The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes name change forms through Court Forms Information.