How to Get a Marriage License in Minnesota
Meta description: Learn how to get a marriage license in Minnesota, including where to apply, required information, fees, waiting periods, expiration dates, and what to do after the ceremony.
Getting married in Minnesota starts with a marriage license from a Minnesota county. The license can be issued by any county and used for a ceremony anywhere in the state, but application procedures, appointment availability, and payment options vary by county. Applicants should confirm local instructions before visiting and allow enough time for Minnesota’s waiting period. The steps below explain what to prepare, what the license permits, and how the officiant completes the process after the ceremony.
Where to Apply for a Minnesota Marriage License
Applicants apply through a Minnesota county vital records office or another county office authorized to issue marriage licenses. The application does not have to be filed in the county where the ceremony will take place. A license issued by one Minnesota county is valid for a marriage ceremony anywhere in Minnesota.
County procedures differ. Some offices accept applications in person, while others may allow applicants to begin online or submit paperwork by mail. Even when an application can be started remotely, the county may require both applicants to appear in person, provide original identification, or sign the application under specific conditions. The Minnesota Department of Health’s marriage information page directs applicants to county offices for licensing details.
Before applying, check the issuing county’s website or call its vital records office. Confirm whether an appointment is required, whether both applicants must attend, which identification is accepted, what payment methods are available, and how the county handles the five-day waiting period. These checks can prevent delays, especially when the ceremony date is approaching.
Who Can Apply
Both people getting married must meet Minnesota’s legal requirements. Minnesota law generally requires applicants to be at least 18 years old. The state does not allow marriage for people under 18, so applicants should review current state law if they have questions about age eligibility.
Applicants must provide truthful information on the application and meet applicable legal requirements concerning existing marriages and prohibited relationships. A person who is currently married cannot enter another marriage. If a previous marriage ended through divorce, dissolution, or death, the application may ask for relevant details, such as the date and place it ended.
Applicants do not need to be Minnesota residents or U.S. citizens to marry in Minnesota. However, county offices set their own procedures for verifying identity and completing the application. People applying with documents issued outside the United States should ask the county in advance whether a passport or other identification is acceptable.
Information and Documents to Prepare
The county application asks for personal information about both applicants. Requirements can vary slightly by form and office, so the county’s current application is the final guide. In general, applicants should be ready to provide:
- Full legal names and any other names requested on the form.
- Dates and places of birth.
- Current addresses and contact information.
- Social Security numbers, if the applicants have them.
- Information about parents, which may include their names and birthplaces.
- Details about previous marriages, including how and when each marriage ended, if applicable.
- Acceptable identification, as specified by the county issuing the license.
Identification rules are not identical in every county. A driver’s license or state-issued identification card is commonly used, but a county may accept other documents, such as a passport. Ask whether the office needs original documents, whether copies are accepted, and whether documents in another language must be translated.
Applicants should use the names they want recorded on the marriage record and review every entry before signing. Errors in names, dates, or other details can complicate corrections later. If either applicant has a question about how to report a prior marriage or a name that differs across documents, the county clerk can explain what information its application requires.
Minnesota Marriage License Fees
The standard Minnesota marriage license fee is $115. A reduced fee of $40 is generally available when applicants submit the required documentation showing they completed qualifying premarital education. The reduced fee is tied to specific state requirements, so a course certificate alone may not be enough if it does not include the information the county needs.
Minnesota law provides for a fee reduction for applicants who complete at least 12 hours of premarital education. The education must cover specified topics, including communication skills and conflict management, and the applicants must provide a signed statement from the qualified educator. The county can confirm what credentials and documentation it accepts. Check the Minnesota statute on marriage license applications and fees for the governing requirements.
Payment methods differ by county. Some offices accept credit or debit cards, while others may charge a processing fee or prefer cash, check, or money order. Verify the total cost and accepted payment methods before submitting the application.
The Five-Day Waiting Period and License Expiration
Minnesota generally imposes a five-day waiting period between applying for a marriage license and its issuance. Applicants should not assume they can apply and receive a usable license on the same day. County processing schedules and office hours can add time, so applying well before the planned ceremony is the safer approach.
A judge may waive the waiting period for good cause under state law. A waiver is not automatic: applicants must follow the applicable procedure and receive approval. The county issuing the license can explain where to request a waiver and what documentation, if any, is needed.
Once issued, a Minnesota marriage license is valid for six months. The ceremony must take place within that validity period. If the license expires before the wedding, applicants generally need to apply for a new one and pay the applicable fee again. Because local processing and scheduling vary, applicants should coordinate the application date with both the county office and the ceremony date.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Choose a Minnesota county office. Applicants may use any county that issues marriage licenses; the ceremony can occur anywhere in Minnesota.
- Review the county’s instructions. Confirm appointment rules, appearance requirements, identification, payment methods, and whether the application can be started online or by mail.
- Gather the required information. Prepare identification, personal details, parent information if requested, and information about any prior marriages.
- Complete and submit the application. Follow the county’s instructions carefully. Both applicants may need to sign or appear, depending on local procedure.
- Pay the fee. Submit the standard fee or the reduced fee with the required premarital education documentation.
- Wait for the license to be issued. Account for Minnesota’s five-day waiting period unless a judge grants a waiver.
- Give the issued license to the officiant. The officiant needs the license to complete the marriage record after the ceremony.
Planning the Wedding Ceremony
A marriage license is legal authorization to marry; it is not proof that a marriage has already taken place. The ceremony must be solemnized by someone authorized under Minnesota law. Authorized officiants include certain judges and court officials, as well as clergy who meet the state’s requirements. Clergy may need to file credentials with the appropriate county before performing a marriage. Applicants should confirm the officiant’s eligibility and any filing requirements before the ceremony.
Minnesota law requires at least two witnesses at the marriage ceremony, and witnesses must be at least 16 years old. The officiant and witnesses complete the relevant portions of the license or certificate as instructed. Couples should bring the license to the ceremony and make sure the officiant knows when and where it must be returned.
The ceremony must occur before the license expires and within Minnesota. A license issued in Minnesota does not authorize a ceremony in another state. Couples planning an out-of-state wedding should check that state’s licensing rules instead.
What Happens After the Ceremony
After the ceremony, the officiant completes and signs the marriage record and returns it to the county that issued the license. Minnesota law requires the officiant to return the completed record within five days after the ceremony. Couples should confirm that the officiant has the correct county and mailing or delivery instructions.
Once the record has been filed, the couple can request a certified marriage certificate from the county. A certified certificate is the official document commonly used to prove a marriage for legal, financial, or administrative purposes. The signed license from the ceremony may not serve as a certified record. Ask the issuing county when the record will be available, how to order a certified copy, what identification is required, and what fee applies.
For a name change, the marriage certificate may be one of several documents an agency requests. Each agency sets its own requirements. For example, the Social Security Administration and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety have separate procedures for updating records and identification. It is useful to order certified copies if multiple organizations require proof, while checking each organization’s rules first.
Common Questions About Minnesota Marriage Licenses
Can a couple apply in one county and marry in another?
Yes. A Minnesota marriage license issued by any county may be used for a ceremony anywhere in Minnesota. The completed marriage record must be returned according to the issuing county’s instructions.
Do both applicants have to go to the county office?
That depends on the county’s application process. Some offices require both applicants to appear, while others may offer alternatives in limited circumstances. Applicants should confirm the rule directly with the office where they intend to apply.
Can a Minnesota marriage license be used in another state?
No. A Minnesota license is for a marriage solemnized in Minnesota. Couples marrying elsewhere must meet the licensing requirements of the state or jurisdiction where the ceremony will take place.
What if the ceremony date is less than five days away?
Contact the county immediately. A judge may waive the waiting period for good cause, but approval is not guaranteed, and county procedures still apply. Applicants should not treat a waiver as a routine same-day option.
Where can applicants verify current requirements?
The Minnesota Department of Health provides general marriage-record and county-office information, while county vital records offices provide local application instructions. The state’s marriage statutes set the legal framework. Because county procedures and office availability can change, the issuing county is the best source for current steps, fees, and document requirements.