Cook County News Herald

New fees for marriage licenses, birth certificates




Starting July 1, 2010, it will be more expensive to get a copy of a birth certificate or to get married—although couples that participate in marriage education can still see a reduction. In the 2010 Minnesota Legislative Session legislation was passed that will affect some individuals in regards to vital statistics.

Effective July 1, 2010, certified copies of birth certificates will increase by $10; prior to July 1 a certified copy of a birth certificate (first copy) is $16 and will increase to $26. Additional certified copies of the same birth certificate (ordered at the same time as the first copy) prior to July 1 are $9 and will increase to $19. This new $10 state surcharge shall be forwarded to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the general fund.

Effective July 1, 2010, marriage license full fees will increase from $110 to $115. The reduced marriage license fee (with an educator’s statement) will remain the same at $40. Thenew $5 state surcharge shall be forwarded to the state to assist in paying for the “Couples on the Brink” program.

Effective July 1, 2010, the Educator’s Statement, which is used for the reduced fee marriage license, is now able to either be notarized or under the church seal. That was the only change in reference to this Educator’s Statement. The statement must be presented at the time of application for the marriage license and in the format outlined in statute, including the full legal names of the couple, dated, signed by the educator, notarized or under church seal and appear on the educator’s letterhead.

Effective Aug. 1, 2010, notary filing fee will decrease from $100 to $20 at the county level. The county is no longer responsible for collecting the state’s fee of $80. That fee will now be included at the time of application for the notary commission and will be paid directly to the state.

Also effective Aug. l, ex-officio notaries will be required to have a stamp similar to the notary public and will no longer be able to use their officialofficestamp.


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