The 2010 Minnesota Legislative Session has passed legislation that will affect some individuals in regards to vital statistics that will become effective soon.

Effective July 1, 2010: Certified copies of Birth Certificates will increase by $10.00. Prior to July 1st a certified copy of a birth certificate (first copy) is $16.00 and will increase to $26.00. Additional certified copies of the same birth certificate (ordered at the same time as the first copy) prior to July 1st are $9.00 and will increase to $19.00. This new $10.00 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 fee will increase from $110.00 to $115.00.  The reduced marriage license fee (with an Educator’s statement) will remain the same at $40.00. The new $5.00 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, include 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 August 1, 2010: Notary filing fee will decrease from $100.00 to $20.00 at the County level. The County is no longer responsible for collecting the State’s fee of $80.00.
That fee will now be included at the time of application for the notary commission and will be paid directly to the state.

Effective August 1, 2010: All Ex-officio notaries will be required to have a stamp similar to the notary public and will no longer be able to use their official office stamp.