Applying for a License
You can apply for a marriage license in any Minnesota county if you are both 18 and will be married in Minnesota. You don’t need to live in that county or in the State of Minnesota. You don’t need to be an American citizen. The marriage license is valid anywhere in the State of Minnesota. A list of License offices where a marriage license can be purchased is listed below. You can also go on the Internet and check the county web sites for forms and information. The web sites are all www.co.(county’s name).mn.us – for example www.co.hennepin.mn.us is Hennepin County.
Requirements
Both parties are required to apply together in person. Sometimes, due to military service or other reason, one party cannot be present. The absent paerson must sign the application and have his or her signature notarized. Discuss this first with the license center staff. You will need this information – full names before and after marriage, addresses, social security numbers, dates and places of birth. If either, or both, are divorced, you will need to know the date and county where the divorce was granted. Identification requirements vary in each county. A valid driver’s license, photo I.D., or certified copy of a birth certificate may be requested. Call for information before you go to the license center.
Special Conditions
If either applicant is under 18, has a criminal felony conviction, is widowed or divorced, special requirements may apply. A copy of a decree of dissolution, or a death certificate for a deceased spouse, may be required. You must list the date, county and state of a dissolution of marriage. Call the location where you will apply for more information.
Cost
Effective August 1st 2010, the license fee is $115.00. It’s best to take cash or a credit card, if the license office accepts credit cards. If you pay by check, some counties may require a delay of three weeks before they will issue a Marriage License. Some counties charge $5.00 more to mail the license. The $115.00 fee can be reduced to $40.00 with 12 hours of premarital counseling.
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling is not required, but a reduced marriage license fee of $40.00 is available if you have had 12 hours of premarital counseling. Request further information at the license office or from your Officiant.
Waiting Period
No blood test is required, but there is a minimum five day waiting period after the day of application, if one party has a felony conviction and is requesting a name change there is a 30 day waiting period, and in some counties 21 days if you pay by check. The five day waiting period can be waived by a District Judge. The Judge who waived the five days cannot also marry you.
How long is a marriage license good for?
Your license will be valid in any Minnesota county for six months after it’s issued. Once the six months have past from the date of issue, you need to purchase another marriage license.
What if I lose or misplace the license?
A marriage license can be reissued. Some counties may charge a fee for doing this.
Marital Name Changes
If you intend to change your name at the time of marriage you will indicate this on the application for your marriage license. The Officiant is required to file the completed Certificate of Marriage with the county which issued the license. That county will then mail you a certified copy and you can use the certified copy for changing your name. Social security, driver’s license, passport, etc. will all have to be changed.
Can both the Bride and Groom change their names?
The wording of Minnesota Statute 517.08 subd. 1a. (9) has been interpreted differently in each county in the Twin City area. Some counties only allow the couple to adopt one or both of their two last names. Some counties, including Anoka, Ramsey, and Washington County, allow a couple to choose an altogether different name. Before you buy your marriage license in a county be sure that your choice of names is acceptable. A marriage license can be purchased in any county in Minnesota and the ceremony can then be performed anywhere in the State. Shop around until your proposed name change is acceptable; and then purchase your license in that county.
How do I prove that my name has been changed?
On the day of your marriage ceremony, the Officiant may give you one or two signed “souvenier” copies of the marriage certificate – or the Officiant may only have the original and take that with him to be filed – and you don’t get any copy. It depends on the county from which you purchased your marriage license. Anoka gives the original and one “souvenier” copy, and Hennepin and Ramsey give the original and two “souvenier” copies. Washington and Dakota only give the original certificate.
These “souvenir” copies are really duplicate originals. After August 1st 2009, the law only requires the County to issue an original certificate – with no copies. If you have a signed “souvenier” copy keep it safe until you get the certified copy in the mail. If the original were to get lost in the mail, you can file the “souvenier” copy because it’s really a duplicate original.
After the marriage ceremony the Officiant is required to mail or deliver the original signed marriage certificate to the county from which it was purchased. Approximately two to three weeks after the date of marriage, the county will mail a certified copy of the marriage certificate to the address listed on the application. This certified copy has a certification stamp and a raised seal. You can obtain additional certified copies at any time from any county in Minnesota for a fee. A certified copy is all that is legally required as proof of your marriage and your new name.
Where to Purchase Marriage Licenses
Call or go to the county website for hours of operation. These are the hours listed. Some License Centers have evening and Saturday hours. Call first to be sure of evening and Saturday hours.
Anoka County www.co.anoka.mn.us
Anoka License Center
763-576-5768
6111 Highway 10 #500
Ramsey, 55303
M-F 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Blaine License Center
763-767-3888
10995 Club West Pkwy, Suite 700
Blaine, 55449
M-F 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Columbia Heights License Center
763-789-7202
3982 Central Avenue NE
Columbia Heights, 55421
M-F 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Coon Rapids License Center
763-785-5999
455 99th Ave NW, Suite 100
Coon Rapids, 55433
M-F 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Courthouse
763-323-5201
Anoka Government Center
325 East Main St. W120
Anoka, 55303-5036
M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ham Lake License Center
763-413-9717
17565 Central Ave. NE #330
Ham Lake, 55304
M-F 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Carver County – www.co.carver.mn.us
Courthouse – Taxpayer Services
952-361-1930
600 East Fourth Street
Chaska, 55318
MWF 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
T&Th 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Chisago County – www.co.chisago.mn.us
Courthouse – Recorder – Rm 277
651-213-8580
313 North Main Street, Center City
Dakota County-www.co.dakota.mn.us
Hastings Government Center
651-438-4313
1590 Highway 55 West
Hastings, 55033-2343
M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
No Sat.
Northern Service Center
651-554-6600
One Mendota Road West
West St. Paul, 55118
MTThF 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wed. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Western Service Center
952-891-7570
County Road 42 & Galaxie
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, 55124
MWF 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
TTh 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hennepin County – www.co.hennepin.mn.us
Recording for all locations – 612-348-8240
Questions regarding your marriage license 612-348-8919 and ask for the marriage desk.
Brookdale Service Center
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, 55430
M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
License.BD@co.hennepin.mn.us
Eden Prairie Service Center
479 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie, 55344
M 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
T-TH 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
F 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday Closed
License.EP@co.hennepin.mn.us
Government Service Center
2nd Floor West Service Level – A Level
300 So. 6th Street
Minneapolis, 55487
M-F 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday Closed
License.GC@co.hennepin.mn.us
Maple Grove Service Center
9325 Upland Lane North
Maple Grove, 55369
M 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
T-TH 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
F 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday Closed
License.MG@co.hennepin.mn.us
Midtown Exchange Service Center
Greenway Level – Lower Level
2929 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis, 55407
M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday Closed
License.MT@co.hennepin.mn.us
Ridgedale Service Center
12601 Ridgedale Drive
Minnetonka, 55343
M-F 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
License.RD@co.hennepin.mn.us
Southdale Service Center
7009 York Avenue South
Edina, 55435
M-F 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
License.SD@co.hennepin.mn.us
Isanti County – www.co.isanti.mn.us
Courthouse – Recorder’s Office
763-689-1191
555 18th Avenue S.W.
Cambridge, 55008
M-F Call for hours
Ramsey County – www.co.ramsey.mn.us
651-266-1333
10th & Cedar
555 Cedar Street
St. Paul, 55101
M-F Call for hours
Scott County – www.co.scott.mn.us
Courthouse Customer Service Center
952-496-8150
200 West Fourth Avenue
Shakopee, 55379
MTh 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
TWF 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sherburne County – www.co.sherburne.mn.us
Courthouse – Recorder’s Office
763-241-2915
13880 Highway 10
Elk River, 55330-4601
M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
recorder@co.sherburne.mn.us
Washington County – www.co.washington.mn.us
Cottage Grove Service Center
651-430-4075
13000 Ravine Parkway South
Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016
M-F 8 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Forest Lake Service Center
651-275-7333
19955 Forest Road North
Forest Lake, Minnesota 55025
M&W 8 p.m. – 6 p.m.
TThF 8 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Stillwater License Center
651-275-7000
Valley Ridge Mall
1520 West Frontage Road
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
M&W 8 p.m. – 6 p.m.
TThF 8 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Washington Co. Government Center
651-430-6175
Taxpayer Services Office – County Recorder
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
M-F 8 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Woodbury License Center
651-275-8600
2150 Radio Drive
Woodbury, Minnesota 55125
M&W 8 p.m. – 6 p.m
TThF 8 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wright County – www.co.wright.mn.us
Courthouse, Room 160
763-682-7509
10 Second Street NW
Buffalo, 55313
M-F Call for hours
