Detailed Minnesota Wedding Law Notes
These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Ordination Credential
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Vital Statistics Office
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: One Day
- License Validity: 6 Months
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
Couples must be 18+ to marry, with no residency requirements. Minnesota prohibits marriages closer than second cousins and fully recognizes same-sex marriages.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person (or notarized approval for one)
- Cost: $115 ($40 with premarital education)
- Accepted ID: Social Security Number and Government-Issued ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (16+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Ordination Credential
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Vital Statistics Office
Couples must apply in person at the local registrar’s office, providing personal details, prior marriage information (if applicable), and any required notarized documents. The officiant must prepare and sign the marriage certificate, including the couple’s full names, addresses, birthdates, wedding details, and witness signatures.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: One Day
- License Validity: 6 Months
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person (or notarized approval for one)
- Cost: $115 ($40 with premarital education)
- Accepted ID: Social Security Number and Government-Issued ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (16+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Marriage licenses are valid for six months and must be filed with the issuing registrar within five days of the ceremony. A one-day waiting period applies, except in cases involving felony convictions with name changes, which require 30 days.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Ordination Credential
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Vital Statistics Office
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: One Day
- License Validity: 6 Months
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person (or notarized approval for one)
- Cost: $115 ($40 with premarital education)
- Accepted ID: Social Security Number and Government-Issued ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Ordination credentials must be filed with the Vital Statistics Office before officiating.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (16+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Ordination Credential
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Vital Statistics Office
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: One Day
- License Validity: 6 Months
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person (or notarized approval for one)
- Cost: $115 ($40 with premarital education)
- Accepted ID: Social Security Number and Government-Issued ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
Both parties must declare consent to marry before an authorized minister and two witnesses. The ceremony has no specific required format beyond these legal elements.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (16+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Ordination Credential
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Vital Statistics Office
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: One Day
- License Validity: 6 Months
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person (or notarized approval for one)
- Cost: $115 ($40 with premarital education)
- Accepted ID: Social Security Number and Government-Issued ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
The officiant must prepare and sign the marriage certificate, including the couple’s full names, addresses, birthdates, wedding details, and witness signatures. The completed certificate must be filed with the issuing registrar within five days of the ceremony.