Minnesota Marriage Laws

Marriage license laws in the state of Minnesota: Here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Minnesota marriage laws before filling out the Minnesota marriage license form.

In order to get married in Minnesota, you must apply and receive a marriage license. Check with your local county clerk of court’s office for the definitive word and requirement. You typically need to apply for your marriage license at least 30 days before your wedding ceremony.

A marriage license doesn’t mean that you’re married. It simply gives you permission to get married, and we hope you’ll choose us.

Residency Requirement: You do not have to be a resident of Minnesota to apply for a license and to get married in Minnesota.

Applicant Requirement: Only one applicant need apply in person.
Applicant will be required to complete all information about both applicants:
Full names;
addresses, dates and places of birth;
Bride’s name after marriage

Identification requirements vary in each county. A valid driver’s license or certified copy of birth certificate may be requested.

Waiting Period: 5 days. Fees: $110 – It’s best to take cash, as some counties require 15 working days if you pay by check.

Blood Tests: No blood test is required.

Age Requirement: You must bring proof of age, i.e. a passport of birth certificate with you. Applicants 18 years of age may obtain a license. It is necessary to provide proof of age.

Applicants between the ages of 15 and 18 must have the consent of a parent, guardian or the judge of juvenile court (see Minnesota Statute 517.02 for more details).

Applicants younger than 15 needs the written consent of a parent of guardian and the consent of a juvenile court judge (see Minnesota Statute 517.02 for more details).

Proxy Marriages:

No. However, only one applicant can apply for the marriage license as long as all the required information for the absent partner is provided. Call the Clerk of Court to see how to get your partner’s signature notarized. Requirements may vary from county to county.

Common Law Marriages:

No. However Minnesota will recognize common law marriages that are legal in other states.

Premarital Education:

Yes. There is a waiver of a portion of the marriage license fees to couples who do a 12 hour premarital education course. The course must use a premarital inventory, teaching about communication skills, and conflict management skills. According to the Minnesota Statute, “The premarital education must be provided by a licensed or ordained minister or the minister’s designee, a person authorized to solemnize marriages under section 517.18, or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under section 148B.33.

Solemnization Official: Marriages may be solemnized by any of the following:
The officials authorized to solemnize marriages include judges, clerks of court, and licensed ministers, priests or rabbis. In some counties there is a court commissioner who is authorized to officiate at marriage ceremonies. There are also special provisions for marriage between members of the Bahai, Hindu, Quaker and American Indian religious groups.

Valid: License is valid for 6 months days.
The license can only be used within the State of Minnesota.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. This is information is current as of the date of this posting, but do not solely rely on it. Please check with your local county clerk of court’s office before making any wedding or travel arrangements (see below or go to Minnesota Secretary of State web site).

Aitkin County
Aitkin, MN
218-927-7350

Anoka County
Anoka, MN
763-422-7399

Becker County
Detroit Lakes,
218-846-7304

Beltrami County
Bemidji, MN
218-759-4170

Blue Earth County
Mankato, MN
507-389-8222

Brown County
New Ulm, MN
507-233-6653

Carlton County
Carlton, MN
218-384-4281

Carver County
Chaska, MN
952-361-1930

Cass County
Walker, MN
218-547-3300

Chippewa County
Montevideo, MN
320-269-9431

Chisago County
Center City, MN
651-257-0438

Clay County
Moorhead, MN
218-299-5031

Clearwater County
Bagley, MN
218-694-6129

Cook County
Grand Marais, MN
218-387-3000

Cottonwood County
Windom, MN
507-831-1458

Crow Wing County
Brainerd, MN
218-828-3965

Dakota County
Hastings, MN
651-438-4355

Dodge County
Mantorville, MN
507-635-6250

Douglas County
Alexandria, MN
320-762-3877

Faribault County
Blue Earth, MN
507-526-6252

Fillmore County
Preston, MN
507-765-4701

Freeborn County
Albert Lea, MN
507-377-5130

Goodhue County
Redwing, MN
651-385-3149

Grant County
Elbow Lake, MN
218-685-4133

Hennepin County
Minneapolis, MN
612-348-8240

Houston County
Caledonia, MN
507-724-5813

Hubbard County
Park Rapids, MN
218-732-3552

Isanti County
Cambridge, MN
763-689-1191

Itasca County
Grand Rapids, MN
218-327-2856

Jackson County
Jackson, MN
507-847-2580

Kanabec County
Mora, MN
320-679-6466

Kandiyohi County
Willmar, MN
320-231-6223

Kittson County
Hallock, MN
218-843-2842

Koochiching County
Falls, MN
218-283-6290

Lac Qui Parle County
Madison, MN
320-598-3724

Lake County
Two Harbors, MN
218-834-8347

Lake Of The Woods County
Baudette, MN
218-634-1902

Le Suer County
Le Center, MN
507-357-2251

Lincoln County
Ivanhoe, MN
507-694-1360

Lyon County
Marshall, MN
507-537-6722

Mahnomen County
Mahnomen, MN
218-935-2251

Marshall County
Warren, MN
218-745-4921

Martin County
Fairmont, MN
507-238-3213

Mc Leod County
Glencoe, MN
320-864-1327

Meeker County
Litchfield, MN
320-693-5440

Mille Lacs County
Milaca, MN
320-983-8308

Morrison County
Little Falls, MN
320-632-0146

Mower County
Austinn, MN
507-437-9446

Murray County
Slayton, MN
507-836-6148

Nicollet County
St Peter, MN
507-931-6800

Nobles County
Worthington, MN
507-372-8236

Norman County
Ada, MN
218-784-4422

Olmsted County
Rochester, MN
507-285-8191

Otter Tail County
Fergus Falls, MN
218-739-2271

Pennington County
Thief River Fall, MN
218-683-7027

Pine County
Pine City, MN
320-629-6781

Pipestone County
Pipestone, MN
507-825-6755

Pope County
Glenwood, MN
320-634-5723

Ramsey County
St Paul, MN
651-266-2050

Red Lake County
Red Lake Falls, MN
218-253-2997

Redwood County
Redwood Falls, MN
507-637-8330

Renville County
Olivia, MN
320-523-3669

Rice County
Faribault, MN
507-332-6114

Rock County
Luverne, MN
507-283-5014

Roseau County
Roseau, MN
218-463-2061

Scott County
Shakopee, MN
612-496-8143

Sherburne County
Elk River, MN
763-241-2915

Sibley County
Gaylord, MN
507-237-4079

St Louis County
Duluth, MN
218-726-2677

Stearns County
St Cloud, MN
320-656-3855

Steele County
Owatonna, MN
507-444-7450

Stevens County
Morris, MN
320-589-7414

Swift County
Benson, MN
320-843-3377

Todd County
Long Prairie, MN
320-732-4428

Traverse County
Wheaton, MN
320-563-4622

Wabasha County
Wabasha, MN
651-565-3623

Wadena County
Wadena, MN
218-631-7622

Waseca County
Waseca, MN
507-835-0670

Washington County
Stillwater, MN
651-430-6755

Watonwan County
St James, MN
507-375-3341

Wilkin County
Breckenridge, MN
218-643-4012

Winona County
Winona, MN
507-457-6340

Wright County
Buffalo, MN
763-682-7509

Yellow Medicine County
Granite Falls, MN
320-564-2529