Vital Statistics

The County Recorder's Office is a local Registrar of the Vital Records for the Minnesota Department of Heath. Records include births, deaths, and marriages for Wadena County. Birth certificates from 1935 to the present and death certificates from 1997 to the present can be obtained at any Recorder's Office in Minnesota. Any person interested in genealogy may come into the office and research family history. All records in the office date back to 1875.

Birth & Death Certificates
You can print a Birth Certificate Application  or Death Certificate Application (PDF) and bring the completed application to the Recorder's Office. You will need to have a valid picture ID when applying. You can also mail the completed application to the Recorder's Office. If applying by mail, your application will need to be notarized. Certified copies of birth certificates can only be issued to parties demonstrating a tangible interest, (see Minnesota Statutes, Section 144.225, Subdivision 7). For additional information about birth and death certificates, visit the Minnesota Department of Health's website.

Birth & Death Certificate Fees

Type of Certified Certificates
Fee

Certified Birth Certificate

$26

Additional copies of Certified Birth Certificates, if purchased at the same time

$19 each

Certified Death Certificate

$13

Additional copies of Certified Death Certificates, if purchased at the same time

$6 each

Marriage License
Marriage licenses are available at the Recorder's Office. Both applicants must complete an application, provide social security numbers and have a valid picture ID when applying. There is a 5-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license. The license is valid for 6 months.

Marriage License Fees

Type of Marriage License

Fee

Regular Marriage License

$115

Reduced Fee Marriage License

$40*

*Educator's Statement of pre-marital classes submitted in format required by MN Statutes 517.08, subdivision lb (b).

Marriage Certificates
Copies of Marriage Certificates are available from the county that issued the marriage license. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, please complete the Marriage Record Application (PDF) and submit the form either in person or by mail to the Recorder's Office:
Wadena County Courthouse
415 S Jefferson Street
Wadena, MN 56482

Marriage Certificate Fees

Type of Marriage Certificate
Fee

Certified Marriage Certificate

$9