How do I get a marriage license?

County Court Administrator (county level - each of Minnesota's 87 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both parties typically appear in person at any Minnesota county Court Administrator's office; many counties prefer or require appointments - call ahead; some counties allow one party to appear with a notarized form from the absent party
Complete the marriage license application; provide required information for both parties
Pay the fee; receive the license; NO waiting period - can marry the same day
License is valid for 6 months from date of issuance; ceremony must take place within Minnesota
Ceremony requires 2 witnesses; officiant must be at least 21 years old and authorized under Minnesota law (ordained minister, judge, court administrator, or religious designee)
Officiant signs the marriage license and MUST return it to the issuing county Court Administrator within 5 days after the ceremony
After the license is recorded, one certified copy of the marriage certificate is automatically MAILED to the "address after marriage" listed on the application; additional copies ~$9 each from the county
NAME CHANGE NOTE: Minnesota allows name change at time of marriage through the license application - specify desired post-marriage name(s) on the application. The marriage certificate then serves as legal proof of name change. Adding a new name or changing to a different name (not just spouse's last name) requires a separate court process - free if filed within 180 days of marriage.

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties
Social Security numbers for both parties
Full legal name, address, date of birth, place of birth for each party
Prior marriage information if applicable (date, place, how ended)
Both must be at least 18 years old - Minnesota prohibits all marriages under 18, NO exceptions (eliminated 2023)
First cousins may NOT marry in Minnesota

Fee

$125 (as of July 1, 2025); $50 with premarital education discount (requires notarized or church-sealed statement on educator's letterhead confirming at least 12 hours of premarital education covering communication and conflict management, from a licensed minister/therapist/etc.)

Waiting Period

NONE - Minnesota eliminated the 5-day waiting period effective August 1, 2016; can marry same day LICENSE VALIDITY: 6 months from date of issuance; ceremony must take place in Minnesota WITNESSES: 2 witnesses required at ceremony OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 5 days after ceremony

Online Option

Many counties offer online pre-application; check your specific county Court Administrator's website; most require in-person signing

Where to Go

Any Minnesota county Court Administrator's office (no residency or ceremony-location restriction)

County-specific variations apply

Minnesota's 87 county Court Administrators each administer their own office with varying hours, appointment requirements, and minor procedural differences. Hennepin County (Minneapolis): 300 South Sixth Street, MC-026, Minneapolis - multiple service center locations; appointments typically required. Ramsey County (St. Paul): online scheduling available. Larger metro counties have more service options; rural counties may have limited hours. Waiver of the waiting period is not applicable - no waiting period exists. Some counties (Hennepin) may offer additional service center locations.

Minnesota Notes

Important state-specific details

No waiting period - can marry same day as applying.
No residency requirement - non-residents may apply and marry in Minnesota.
Premarital education discount reduces fee from $125 to $50 - significant savings.
Child marriage (under 18) banned with no exceptions effective 2023.
First cousin marriage not allowed in Minnesota.
Certified copy automatically mailed after recording - additional copies ~$9 from county.
No blood test required.
Marriage certificate (not the license) is what you'll need for name changes and legal purposes.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Minnesota Courts (marriage license information) - mncourts.gov; County Court Administrator (varies by county); Minnesota Secretary of State - sos.mn.gov