Detailed North Dakota 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 (16 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry or 16+ with written guardian consent. Marriages between close relatives, including first cousins, are void.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $65
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if previously married
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must apply in person at the county recorder’s office where they or their parents reside, or in the county where the marriage will occur for non-residents. A sworn affidavit, social security numbers, and divorce decrees (if applicable) are required.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days. The officiant must return the original license and marriage certificate to the issuing recorder within five days of the ceremony.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Recorder
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Documentation requirements vary by county.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2
The minister, couple, and two witnesses must be physically present. The ceremony must include the couple’s consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $65
- Accepted ID: Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if previously married
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 5 Days
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: Recorder
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2
The officiant must complete the marriage license, listing “minister” as their title and “Ministries of Love” as the ordaining body. The original license must be returned to the issuing recorder within five days.