Don’t forget the license! We want to ensure that your marriage is legal with the state. To get married in Minnesota, you have to have a license. (But, you do not have to be a MN resident!)
In the state of Minnesota, the process for getting a marriage license is fairly quick and easy!
Visit the website for your local county licensing office. There, you should find an application that you can either print to bring with you or complete online. In some cases, they require you to complete it online and then make an appointment to finalize it in person. I have found that some offices are booked 2-3 weeks out for appointments, so you need to plan ahead!
To save yourself any heartache or stress, I recommend that you plan to get your license 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. You can, however complete this process as early as 6 months before the wedding date, just not a day sooner! Marriage licenses in Minnesota are valid for 6 months. Be sure to bring your fiancé and your photo identifications! Both parties must be present with valid id.
As your licensed wedding officiant, I will oversee the signing of the certificate on the day of the wedding. I will ensure that all the fields are completed correctly and that witnesses have signed it. I will then take it to the state for processing within 3 days of your wedding. Once the state has processed it on their end, they will mail you the official marriage certificate for your records. If you ever need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can always make an appointment, fill out a form, and pay a small fee at your county’s office for an additional copy.
