Minnesota State Marriage Laws 

Couples planning to tie the knot in Minnesota, also known as The Land of 10,000 Lakes, must be at least 18 years of age and must provide a social security number, along with a valid photo ID and a certified copy of their birth certificate when applying for a marriage license.  Neither blood nor medical tests are required, but there is a five-day waiting period.  In “extraordinary” cases, a judge may waive the waiting period upon request.  If either of the intended were previously married, a copy of the divorce decree, proof of annulment or former spouse’s death certificate must be provided. 

Individuals who are under the age of 18 and wish to be married in the state of Minnesota must have parental consent or the approval from a juvenile court judge.  Anyone under the age of 15 will require both written parental consent and the approval of a juvenile court judge in order to be married. 

The state of Minnesota does not have any residential requirements, which means you can exchange vows even if you are not a resident of the state.  Vacationers, former residents and all others are free to tie the knot here.  Once granted, a marriage license is valid for six months.  Application and/or marriage license fees may vary by county, which means you must check with the local courthouse regarding the actual cost and acceptable payment methods.  The average fee is $100.00 for couples who have not completed a premarital education course.  For those who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 hours in an approved premarital education course, the fee may be reduced.  It is advisable that applicants have cash on hand in the event that credit cards are not accepted. 

Same sex marriage is not permitted in the state of Minnesota.  Common law marriages, which are those that a state may acknowledge after a couple has lived together for a certain amount of time, are not recognized in the state.  A wedding can be officiated by a licensed clergyman of a recognized religious society, a judge, clerk of court or court commissioner.  Two witnesses, who are at least 16 years of age, must be present at the wedding ceremony. 

Planning a wedding isn’t state law, but it certainly makes for a more memorable experience.  The official state flower, which is the pink and white lady’s slipper, would be ideal for a bridal bouquet, wedding decorations, etc.  There are a number of tranquil locations, resorts and tourist destinations that would make Minnesota a wonderful choice for an upcoming wedding. 

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only.  It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal advice.  Marriage laws and requirements can change, which means that you should check with your county courthouse regarding the application process for a marriage license, laws, fees and other requirements.   

To obtain a copy of a Minnesota marriage certificate, individuals must contact the local registrar in the county where the marriage license was issued.  Marriage records are not recorded at the state level and, therefore, must be obtained locally at a cost of $9.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each subsequent copy when ordered at the same time.

Code of Minnesota

Chapter 517 provides information on Minnesota marriage laws.