Marriage Laws in Minnesota (2026): Rules, Costs, and Recent Changes

Getting married in Minnesota? You’re gonna love this one.

The rules are actually pretty straightforward. But there are some recent changes you need to know about. Let’s break down exactly what you need to do to make your marriage legal in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

What Makes a Marriage Legal in Minnesota?

A legal marriage in Minnesota isn’t just about love and commitment. It’s a civil contract between two people.

Here’s the thing. You need three main elements. First, you both have to consent to the marriage. Second, you need a valid marriage license. Third, you need an authorized person to perform the ceremony.

Pretty straightforward. Right?

But wait, there’s more to know about each of these requirements.

Basic Age and Eligibility Requirements

You must be 18 years old to get married in Minnesota. No exceptions.

This changed in May 2020. Minnesota became the second state in America to completely ban child marriage. Previously, 16 and 17-year-olds could marry with parental consent.

Now? The minimum age is 18 for everyone. Period.

You’ll need to show proof of age when applying for your license. A driver’s license works. So does a birth certificate or passport.

Can’t Be Already Married

This seems obvious. But it’s important.

You can’t be married to anyone else. If you were married before, you need a valid divorce decree. The divorce must follow the laws of wherever it happened.

In Minnesota, divorces go through the court system. A judge must sign the order. No exceptions here either.

Who You Can’t Marry

Minnesota doesn’t let certain blood relatives marry. Makes sense, right?

You can’t marry your biological or adopted children. You can’t marry your grandchildren. You can’t marry nieces or nephews if there’s any blood relation.

Here’s a big one. You can’t marry your first cousins.

First cousins are the children of your aunt or uncle that you’re related to by blood. Many people don’t realize this is illegal in Minnesota.

Getting Your Marriage License

Okay, pause. This part is important.

Your marriage license is not the same as your marriage certificate. The license gives you permission to get married. The certificate proves you got married.

Confused about the difference? Let me break it down.

Where to Apply

You can apply at any county in Minnesota. It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter where you’re having your ceremony.

But here’s the catch. If you get your license in Minnesota, your ceremony must happen in Minnesota. You can’t take a Minnesota license to another state.

How Much Does It Cost?

Hold on, this one’s important.

The fee increased recently. As of July 1, 2025, a marriage license costs $125.

That’s up from $115. But here’s where it gets interesting.

You can pay only $50 instead. Seriously. You just need to complete 12 hours of premarital education.

The education must be from a licensed minister, authorized officiant, or licensed marriage therapist. You’ll need a signed statement on their letterhead. It must be notarized or have a church seal.

Most people don’t take advantage of this discount. Honestly, it’s a great deal if you have time before your wedding.

What You’ll Need

Both people usually need to appear in person. You’ll take an oath about the legality of your marriage.

You need to provide full legal names. Current addresses. Telephone numbers. Social security numbers if you have them.

You’ll also decide on your names after marriage. You can change your name through the marriage license application. But there’s a catch if you have a felony conviction.

The Felony Name Change Rule

This surprises a lot of people. If you have a felony conviction, you can’t change your name through marriage.

Not right away. You have to go through the court process separately. It’s free if you file within 180 days after marriage.

Why this rule? The state wants to track people with felony convictions. Even after marriage.

No Waiting Period

Minnesota eliminated the waiting period in August 2016. You can get married the same day you apply for your license.

Pretty much any time you want after that. Your license stays valid for six months.

What happens if you don’t use it? Maybe you get sick. Maybe you postpone the wedding.

You can surrender the old license. Get a new one for free. Just bring it back to the county office within those six months.

The Marriage Ceremony Requirements

Your ceremony doesn’t need to follow any specific format. No required words. No required rituals.

Minnesota gives you total freedom here. You design the ceremony that fits your beliefs.

But there are a few legal requirements. Stay with me here.

Who Can Perform Your Ceremony

Your officiant must be at least 21 years old. This is non-negotiable.

Ministers need to file their credentials with a county office first. They register with the local registrar. Any county works.

Judges can perform marriages too. So can certain court officials.

The officiant doesn’t have to be a Minnesota resident. They can be from anywhere in the United States.

Who Needs to Be Present

Both of you must be there. Obviously.

You also need two witnesses. Each witness must be at least 16 years old.

All these people must be physically present. No video ceremonies. No proxy marriages.

Both of you must declare consent to the marriage. You say you’re taking each other as spouses. This happens in front of the officiant and witnesses.

That’s basically it. Pretty simple.

After the Ceremony

Your officiant has responsibilities after you say “I do.” They must complete the marriage certificate.

They sign it. The witnesses sign it. You both sign it.

Then the officiant must return it to the issuing office. They have five days to do this.

This step finalizes your marriage. Without it, your marriage isn’t officially recorded.

Same-Sex Marriage in Minnesota

Minnesota legalized same-sex marriage on August 1, 2013. The state was the 12th in the country to do so.

Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill in May 2013. Thousands celebrated at the State Capitol.

The law made Minnesota’s marriage definition gender neutral. Marriage is now “a civil contract between two persons.”

Not “a man and a woman.” Just “two persons.”

Same-sex couples have exactly the same rights as opposite-sex couples. Exactly the same requirements. Exactly the same process.

Common Law Marriage: Not in Minnesota

Many people assume this is legal. They find out the hard way. Don’t be one of them.

Minnesota does not recognize common law marriage. It abolished common law marriage way back in 1941.

You can’t become married just by living together. It doesn’t matter how long you cohabitate. It doesn’t matter if everyone thinks you’re married.

Unless you have a valid marriage license and ceremony, you’re not married in Minnesota. Period.

One Exception Exists

Minnesota will recognize your common law marriage if you established it in another state. A state that still allows common law marriage.

Then you moved to Minnesota. In that case, Minnesota honors your marriage.

Only a handful of states still recognize common law marriage. Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and the District of Columbia.

Prohibited Marriages

Beyond the age requirement and blood relation rules, Minnesota has other restrictions. Some people don’t realize how strict these are.

No Bigamy

You can only have one spouse at a time. Even if polygamy was legal where you came from, Minnesota doesn’t recognize it.

Only your first spouse counts legally. Additional marriages are void.

Valid Divorces Required

Your previous divorce must be valid where it happened. This matters for immigrants and people who married abroad.

If your foreign divorce doesn’t meet legal requirements, you’re still married. You can’t remarry in Minnesota until you fix this.

Contact a family law attorney if you’re unsure. Seriously, it’s worth checking.

Recent Changes and Updates

Minnesota updated several marriage laws recently. Honestly, this is the part most people miss.

Fee Increase (July 2025)

The marriage license fee increased from $115 to $125. The reduced fee went from $40 to $50.

This happened July 1, 2025. The money helps fund crime victim services.

Child Marriage Ban (May 2020)

Before 2020, 16 and 17-year-olds could marry with parental consent. Not anymore.

Minnesota now requires everyone to be 18. No exceptions for pregnancy, parental consent, or judicial approval.

Waiting Period Elimination (August 2016)

Before 2016, couples had to wait five days after getting their license. That waiting period is gone.

You can marry the same day you apply. Totally allowed.

Name Changes Through Marriage

You can change your name when you get married. Most people know this.

But there are specific rules about how this works. Let’s talk about them.

If You Don’t Have a Felony

You include your desired name on the marriage license application. That’s it.

After you’re married, your marriage certificate serves as proof of your name change. You can use it to update your driver’s license, social security card, and everything else.

Want to keep your name? That’s fine too. Want to hyphenate? No problem. Want to create a completely new last name? That works.

If You Have a Felony

Here’s where it gets tricky. People with felony convictions face different rules.

You cannot change your name through the marriage application. You must go through a court process instead.

Minnesota law requires this for anyone with a felony conviction. It applies to convictions in any state or federal jurisdiction.

But here’s some good news. The court process is free if you file within 180 days after marriage. You just need to submit your marriage certificate to the court.

Wait longer than 180 days? You’ll pay the normal court filing fees.

Premarital Education Program

Remember that $75 discount on your license fee? Let’s talk about how to get it.

You need 12 hours of premarital education. Sounds like a lot. But many couples find it really helpful.

The program must include a premarital inventory. It must teach communication skills. It must teach conflict management skills.

Who can provide this education? Licensed or ordained ministers. People authorized to perform marriages. Licensed marriage and family therapists.

After completing the program, you get an educator’s statement. It must be on their letterhead. It must be signed and dated. It must be notarized or marked with a church seal.

Bring this statement when you apply for your license. You’ll pay $50 instead of $125.

Honestly, this is a great deal. You save money and learn valuable skills. Win-win.

Special Situations and Considerations

Some situations get complicated. You’re not alone if these confuse you.

Marriages Outside Minnesota

Got married in another country? Another state? If your marriage was valid there, Minnesota recognizes it.

This applies to same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. It applies to religious marriages. It applies to civil marriages.

The key is whether it was legal where it happened.

Religious Ceremonies Without a License

Some couples have religious ceremonies without getting a license first. This happens in certain cultural traditions.

Important: This does not create a legal marriage in Minnesota. You need that government license.

Your religious ceremony is meaningful for your faith and family. But legally? You’re not married without a Minnesota license.

If One Person Can’t Appear in Person

Usually both people must appear to apply for the license. But exceptions exist.

The person who can appear fills out the application for both. The absent person must complete a supplemental form.

This form must be notarized. The absent person must also provide proof of age.

The county office won’t issue the license until they receive everything. So plan ahead if this applies to you.

Immigrant Couples

U.S. immigration law recognizes marriages that were valid where they happened. Your home country’s marriage counts if it followed that country’s laws.

But remember: the U.S. doesn’t recognize polygamy. Only your first spouse counts legally.

If you’re already married and living in Minnesota, you don’t need to remarry here. Your existing marriage is valid.

How to Get a Certified Copy Later

After your wedding, you’ll want certified copies of your marriage certificate. These prove you’re married.

You request them from the county where you got your license. Not necessarily where you live now.

There’s a fee for certified copies. Most counties charge $10 to $20 per copy.

You’ll need these for name changes, tax purposes, insurance, and more. Get several copies right away. Trust me, this saves time later.

What If Your Marriage License Expires?

Your license is valid for six months. What happens if you don’t use it in time?

Maybe you postpone the wedding. Maybe someone gets sick. These things happen.

Bring the original license back to the county office. They’ll issue a new one without charging you again.

Just do this before the six months are up. After that? You’ll pay the full fee again.

Costs Beyond the License

The $125 license fee isn’t your only expense. Let’s be real about this.

You need an officiant. Many charge fees. Judges might charge. Ministers might charge. Some are free if they’re friends or family.

You might want a venue. Even simple ceremonies often happen somewhere special.

If you’re changing your name, you’ll pay to update documents. Driver’s license fees. Passport fees. These add up.

Just plan for these expenses. Don’t assume the license is your only cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both people need to be U.S. citizens to get married in Minnesota?

No. Citizenship doesn’t matter. You don’t even need to be Minnesota residents. Anyone can get married in Minnesota as long as they meet the basic requirements.

Is blood testing required?

No. Minnesota eliminated blood testing requirements years ago. You don’t need any medical tests to get married.

Can we have someone ordained online perform our ceremony?

Yes. Online ordinations are valid in Minnesota. The officiant must be at least 21 and file their credentials with a county office first.

What if we want to get married at the courthouse?

Most Minnesota courthouses offer civil ceremonies. Contact your county court administrator’s office. They’ll explain their process and fees. Some require appointments.

Can first cousins marry in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota law specifically prohibits marriage between first cousins. This applies to cousins related by blood.

Final Thoughts

Minnesota’s marriage laws are actually pretty simple. You need to be 18. You need a license. You need an authorized officiant and two witnesses.

The $125 fee might seem like a lot. But remember, you can get it reduced to $50 with premarital education.

Most importantly? Don’t assume anything. Read the requirements carefully. Contact your county office if you’re unsure.

Now you know the basics. Plan ahead, follow the rules, and when in doubt, ask questions at the county office or consult a family law attorney.

Your wedding day should be about celebrating love. Not worrying about paperwork. Get the legal stuff done right, and you can focus on what really matters.

References

Minnesota Statute Chapter 517 – Marriage Laws (Official State Statute) https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/517/full

Minnesota Department of Health – Marriage Information (Government Resource) https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/marriage.html

Anoka County Marriage License Information – 2025 Fee Update https://www.anokacountymn.gov/234/Marriage-License-Applications

LawHelp Minnesota – Marriage in Minnesota Fact Sheet (Legal Resource) https://www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/fact-sheet/marriage-minnesota

Minnesota State Legislature – Same-Sex Marriage History https://www.lrl.mn.gov/guides/guides?issue=samesexmarriage