Photo by Deb Gau Lyon County Recorder Michelle DeSmet explains the process of applying for a marriage license in the county. Lyon County has issued an average of around 170 marriage licenses a year since 2010, DeSmet said.

MARSHALL — There’s one place in Lyon County that has a good sense of how many people are getting married in the area — the county recorder’s office, where couples go to apply for marriage licenses before their weddings. But even the county records can sometimes be surprising.

Lyon County Recorder Michelle DeSmet said the office sees a pretty steady number of couples applying for marriage licenses from year to year. In 2019, it seemed like the busy season for weddings was keeping up with that trend.

“From May to October, that’s when we notice more marriage licenses being issued,” DeSmet said.

However, it looks like Lyon County actually saw a dip in marriage licenses last year. County records showed 118 licenses issued, compared to an average of around 170.

“I was actually surprised,” DeSmet said. “We had our lowest number since 2010.”

Between 2010 and 2019, Lyon County has averaged around 170 marriage licenses a year, she said. In 2010, there were 162 marriage licenses issued.

“I’m not sure why 2019 was so low,” DeSmet said. But she said there could be different factors that affect the total. The county’s population is often a big factor in the number of people who apply for marriage licenses in a given year. In some cases, it could just come down to where or when a couple was planning on getting married, she said. A couple who applies for a marriage license in Lyon County can get married anywhere within the Minnesota state boundaries. But if they are traveling outside the state for their wedding, a Minnesota license wouldn’t apply, she said.

Some dates and times of year are also more popular for weddings than others. Spring, summer and fall tend to be more popular times to plan weddings, DeSmet said. And back in 2007, many people in Minnesota and across the country were planning their weddings for July 7, because of the “777” date.

Across Minnesota, young adults are less likely to be married than they were 40 years ago, according to data from the Minnesota State Demographic Center. A 2015 report showed that 49% of Minnesotans ages 25 to 34 were married, compared to 71% in 1980. In 1950, 80% of adults ages 25 to 34 were married, and 39% of adults ages 18-24 were married.

While fewer young Minnesotans are married today than in past generations, the State Demographic Center said it’s not certain whether that means they are not getting married, or are just delaying marriage until later in their lives. The 2015 population report said there are more young Minnesotans pursuing higher education than there were 20 or 30 years ago, and young Minnesotans today are also facing a different set of economic circumstances.

In Lyon County, the Recorder’s Office processes marriage license applications and issues marriage licenses and marriage certificates. The process starts with a couple filling out an application, paying a fee and having their signatures witnessed at the Recorder’s Office.

“It takes really about 20 minutes, the whole process,” DeSmet said.

After applying, the couple will receive a marriage packet, with documents like a marriage certificate and license. The officiant at the wedding is usually responsible for returning the certificate to the county, where the marriage is recorded. Then, the couple can receive a certified copy of their marriage certificate.

There is a $115 cost for a marriage license in Minnesota, DeSmet said. However, couples who complete 12 hours of premarital education can qualify for a reduced fee of $40. A marriage license is valid for six months after it’s issued.

More information on marriage licenses and the application process is available online at www.lyonco.org, or at the Recorder’s Office at the Lyon County Government Center in Marshall.