Rhiannon Hendricks
Getting married in Minnesota? You'll need to apply for a marriage license. Here's a rundown of what you need to do. First, you need to be at least 18 years old and provide proof of identification and age. You don't have to be a Minnesota resident, but you must get married within the state. Both partners must be present to apply, and you'll need to provide your full legal name, address, telephone number, and social security number. There's a fee for the application, usually $115, but it's $40 if you take 12 hours of premarital education classes. After you've got your license, don't forget to bring it with you on your wedding day, along with two witnesses who are at least 16 years old. Once you've tied the knot, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the county office.
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What You'll Learn
Application process
To apply for a marriage license in Minnesota, you must be 18 or older and need to provide proof of identification and age. You do not need to be a resident of Minnesota to apply for a marriage license in the state. However, the license can only be used to marry within Minnesota.
The marriage license application process in Minnesota is as follows:
- Fill out the application form: You can fill out the application form in any county within Minnesota, regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will take place. Most counties allow you to submit the application form online, but some may require you to appear in person to sign and pay the license fee. Both partners must be present when applying for the marriage license. If one partner cannot be present, some counties allow a notarized "Supplemental Part Not Appearing" form along with a completed, notarized marriage license application.
- Provide the required documents and information: Each partner must provide their full legal name, address, telephone numbers, and social security numbers (if they have one). Additionally, they must provide their chosen names and address after marriage. If either partner wishes to change their name, they can indicate this on the marriage license application. You will also need to provide proof of identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card, or passport.
- Pay the license fee: The standard fee for a marriage license application in Minnesota is $115. However, if you complete at least 12 hours of premarital education or counseling classes, the fee is reduced to $40. You must provide proof of completing these classes, such as a notarized form or letter from the instructor.
- Finalize the application: After submitting the application, you may need to schedule an appointment to finalize the process and pay the fee in person. The marriage license will be issued to you once the payment is made.
It is important to note that the marriage license is only a formal approval for permission to marry and does not mean you are legally married. The marriage certificate, which is issued after the wedding ceremony, serves as proof of your legal marriage.
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Requirements
To obtain a marriage license in Minnesota, the following requirements must be met:
Firstly, both parties must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be married to anyone else. This includes previous marriages; if either party was married before, a valid divorce certificate or death certificate of the previous spouse is required. Minnesota does not recognize marriages involving a minor who travelled out of state to marry.
Secondly, both parties must be present to apply for the license, and both must provide their full legal names, addresses, telephone numbers, and social security numbers (if applicable). They must also declare their chosen names after marriage. If one party cannot be present, some counties allow a notarized 'Supplemental Part Not Appearing Form' and a completed, notarized 'Marriage License Application' to be provided instead.
Thirdly, a marriage license in Minnesota requires a fee of $115. This fee is reduced to $40 if the couple takes at least 12 hours of premarital education classes. Proof of completion of these classes is required at the time of application and must be notarized.
Fourthly, the marriage license must be applied for in Minnesota and can be obtained from any county within the state, regardless of where the ceremony will take place. The license is only valid for use within Minnesota and expires after six months.
Finally, the marriage ceremony must be performed by someone authorized to conduct marriages, such as a religious official or a judge, and must have at least two witnesses who are 16 years of age or older. After the ceremony, the officiant has five days to send the certificate to the county where the license was obtained, and the couple will receive a certified copy of their marriage certificate.
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Cost
The cost of a marriage license in Minnesota is $115. This fee is the same across all counties in the state. The marriage license is valid for six months and can only be used within Minnesota.
However, if you and your partner complete a 12-hour premarital education program, the fee is reduced to $40. This course can be taken online and covers useful and fun activities to help you learn more about each other and prepare for marriage. After completing the course, you must present your course certificate to your county courthouse during your marriage license application appointment.
In addition to the marriage license fee, you may also need to consider the cost of a certified copy of your marriage certificate. While some counties include a complimentary copy that will be mailed to you after the marriage, others may require you to request and pay for this separately.
It is important to note that the requirements and guidelines for marriage licenses can change, so it is recommended to double-check with your local offices for the most up-to-date information.
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Validity
To obtain a valid marriage license in Minnesota, several requirements must be met. Firstly, both parties must be at least 18 years old and cannot be married to anyone else. Minnesota does not recognize marriages involving minors, even if the marriage took place in another state. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Minnesota since 2013, and across the United States since 2015.
Secondly, both parties must be present when applying for the license and must provide valid identification and proof of age. Accepted forms of identification include a driver's license, state-issued identification card, or passport. If one party cannot be present, some counties allow a notarized Supplemental Part Not Appearing Form along with a completed, notarized Marriage License Application. Each applicant must provide their full legal name, address, telephone numbers, and social security numbers (if applicable). Additionally, any name change requests must be indicated on the application.
The standard fee for a marriage license application in Minnesota is $115. However, if the couple completes at least 12 hours of premarital education or counseling, the fee is reduced to $40. Proof of completion of these classes or counseling is required and must be notarized. The marriage license is then valid for six months and can only be used within the state of Minnesota.
To ensure the validity of the marriage, the wedding ceremony must take place in Minnesota and be performed by someone authorized to conduct marriages, such as a religious official or a judge. Two witnesses, aged 16 or older, must also be present at the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant has five days to send the completed marriage license to the county where the license was obtained. The county will then record the marriage and provide the couple with a certified copy of their marriage certificate, which serves as proof of their legal marriage.
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Marriage certificate
To obtain a marriage certificate in Minnesota, you must first apply for a marriage license. This can be done in any county within the state, regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will take place. Both partners must be present and over the age of 18 to apply for the license, and each must provide their full legal name, address, telephone numbers, and social security numbers. Additionally, you must provide proof of identification and age, such as a driver's license, state-issued identification card, or passport. If one partner cannot be present, some counties allow a notarized supplemental form and a completed, notarized marriage license application.
The standard fee for a marriage license application is $115, but if you take at least 12 hours of premarital education classes, the fee is reduced to $40. The marriage license is valid for six months and can only be used to get married in Minnesota. Once you have obtained the license, you can get married right away—there is no waiting period. However, remember to bring your license on your wedding day, as it is required.
After the marriage ceremony, the person who performed the ceremony, such as a religious official or a judge, has five days to send the completed license to the county where the license was obtained. The county will then record the marriage and send the couple a certified copy of their marriage certificate, which serves as proof of their legal marriage. This copy can be requested from the county office for a fee.
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Frequently asked questions
To obtain a wedding license in Minnesota, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide proof of identification and age
- Pay a fee of $115, or $40 if you have completed 12 hours of premarital education or counselling
- Apply in any county in Minnesota, regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will take place
- Have two witnesses at the ceremony, who must be at least 16 years old
No, you do not need to be a Minnesota resident to obtain a wedding license in the state.
A Minnesota wedding license is valid for six months and can only be used to get married in the state of Minnesota.
You must include the following in your wedding license application:
- Full legal name, address, telephone numbers and social security numbers (if you have one)
- After-marriage name(s) and address
- Signature of the person not appearing must be notarized
- Proof of identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card or passport
After obtaining your wedding license, you must perform the marriage ceremony in Minnesota and have it officiated by someone authorized to perform marriages. The officiant then has five days to send the marriage certificate to the relevant county, which will then send you a certified copy.
