Minnesota Marriage License Information

Applying for a License

You can apply for a marriage license in any Minnesota county if you are both 18 and will be married in Minnesota. You don't need to live in that county or in the State of Minnesota. The marriage license is valid anywhere in the State of Minnesota. A list of License offices where a marriage license can be purchased is on the back side of this page. You can also go on the Internet and check the county web sites for forms and information. The web sites are all www.co.(county's name).mn.us - for example www.co.hennepin.mn.us is Hennepin County.

Requirements

Only one party is required to apply in person, except in Hennepin County, where either both parties must be present at the time of application, or the party not present must sign the application and have his or her signature notarized. The applicant will be required to complete all information about both parties - full names before and after marriage, addresses, social security numbers, dates and places of birth. Identification requirements vary in each county. A valid driver’s license, photo I.D., or certified copy of a birth certificate may be requested. Call for information before you go to the license center.

Special Conditions

If either applicant is under 18, has a criminal felony conviction, is widowed or divorced, special requirements may apply. A copy of a decree of dissolution, or a death certificate for a deceased spouse, may be required. You must list the date, county and state of a dissolution. Call the location where you will apply for more information.

Cost

The license fee is $110.00. It's best to take cash or a credit card, if the license office accepts credit cards. If you pay by check, some counties may require a delay of three weeks before they will issue a Marriage License. Some counties charge $5.00 more to mail the license. The $110.00 fee can be cut to $40.00 with 12 hours of premarital counseling.

Premarital Counseling

Premarital counseling is not required, but a reduced marriage license fee of $40.00 is available if you have had 12 hours of premarital counseling. Request further information at the license office or contact Judge Tom Armstrong at tgarmstrong@comcast.net.

Waiting Period

No blood test is required, but there is a minimum five day waiting period after the day of application, if one party has a felony conviction and is requesting a name change there is a 30 day waiting period, and in some counties 21 days if you pay by check. The five day waiting period can be waived by a Judge. Contact Judge Armstrong if you need a five day waiver. Your license will be valid in any Minnesota county for six months after it's issued.

Marital Name Changes

If you intend to change your name at the time of marriage you will indicate this on the application for your marriage license. Judge Armstrong will file the completed Certificate of Marriage with the county which issued the license. That county will then mail you a certified copy you can use for changing your name. Social security, driver's license, passport, etc. will all have to be changed.

Sample Marriage Ceremonies are available on this web site, by mail or e-mail.

This information as well as a directory of county offices where you can purchase marriage licenses is availabe in this Adobe Acrobat PDF document - Marriage License Information.