The bride and groom apply in person and present a valid picture ID.  If either person has had a previous marriage, which was terminated for any reason, the date of termination and, in some cases, a name and location of the court must be provided.  (Termination includes: death, divorce and annulment).

The bride and groom must be 18 years of age or older.  Ages 16-17 require consent of the person's legal custodial parents, guardian, or the court and approval by a district judge.  Contact the Recorder's Office for forms and additional information.

No blood tests are required.

A $115 fee OR a $40 Reduced Marriage License fee (savings of $75) and an Educator’s Statement (PDF:  141 KB) is required at the time of application.  Make checks payable to the Clay County Recorder.  You can pay by cash or check only. (Note:  The form above is available in the Portable Document Format (PDF).  To view and print the PDF version, you need the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software.)  Approval by a judge is required to marry a minor (age 16 - 17) with an additional $20.00 fee.

Questions found on the marriage application:

• Full name and current address including county

• Date of birth and age

• State or foreign country where born

• Social Security numbers

• Names of bride and groom after marriage

• If previously married, the date the last marriage was terminated

• If previously married, the city, county and state where the marriage was terminated

• If previously married, name used

• Permanent address for mailing the marriage certificate to the couple after the marriage ceremony.  If you are unsure of an address after marriage, a parent's address or some other permanent address can be used.

• If a replacement marriage license needs to be re-issued there is a $25.00 replacement fee.

When the Marriage Certificate is mailed to you, you will need to change your name for your Passport, your Driver's License and your Social Security Card.   You can obtain the "Application for a Social Security Card" (Form SS-5) by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.  The local Social Security Office information is:

Room 320, Federal Building
657 North 2nd Avenue
Fargo, ND  58102
1.877.335.4114