How to Fill out a Minnesota Marriage License with Examples & FAQs

Asked to officiate a Minnesota wedding? Getting married in Minnesota? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon-to-be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the MN marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out a marriage license in Minnesota correctly the first time!

 

Wedding bells are ringing, so let’s take a look! 

 

 

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How to Fill Out a Minnesota Marriage License: Examples & FAQs

 

1. How to Fill Out a Minnesota Marriage License (for the Officiant)

 

Getting Started: The Basics

 

In Minnesota, you must be at least 21 years old to officiate a wedding, and all officiants must register as a "civil marriage officiant" with a county before performing their first ceremony. (Learn more about MN officiant registration in list-item “4” below.)

 

It’s the couple’s responsibility to purchase a marriage license/certificate from the county office before the wedding day. Depending on the county, couples might apply with the County Registrar or Recorder, the County Auditor, the County Clerk, or another office. (This varies because each county decides which of its departments is in charge of issuing marriage licenses.)

 

Related: How to Get Married in Minnesota - Planning a Wedding in The North Star State

 

Couples will be issued three sheets of paper, including the license and certificate (these are separate sheets), and an envelope which can be used to mail the completed certificate back to the registrar’s office.

 

It is the wedding officiant’s responsibility to complete and return the marriage certificate portion to the issuing office after the wedding ceremony. The officiant must keep the marriage license portion as a record of having performed the marriage. (These two sheets will be clearly labeled.) You can return the license in person or by mail.

 

Related: Officiant Training: Understanding the Wedding License Process

 

Here are a few pointers from the Chippewa, Polk, & Freeborn County Registrars to help you complete the marriage certificate:

 

• You will be given two pieces of paper: a marriage license and marriage certificate. The marriage license is kept for your formal records. The marriage certificate must be completed and returned to the County Registrar/Auditor/Clerk office where it was issued within five (5) days.

 

• By state law, officiants must request and view current photo IDs of the couple they’re marrying, and of the two witnesses signing the certificate, to confirm their identities. 

 

Learn more: Who Can Be a Witness for a Wedding & How Do You Choose?

 

• Fill out each line on the certificate. Missing information will delay the filing process. 

 

• Print legibly in black ink - no cursive except when signing your name. Remember, this is a legal document that will remain on file forever. 

 

• Above “Officiating Person’s Title,” write “Minister” if you are an AMM Minister. 

 

More Info: AMM FAQs: What is My Title Once I Get Ordained Online?

 

• After verifying their identity, ask the two witnesses to sign the certificate and print their names clearly below.

 

• In the space marked “Credentials Recorded,” write down the name of the county that issued your “Certificate of Filing for Marriage Officiant.” (This is the county where you registered as a civil marriage officiant.)

 

• The newlyweds do not need to sign the marriage certificate. 

 

• The certificate must be returned to the issuing office within five (5) days of the ceremony. This can be done in person or by mail. 

 

 

2. Minnesota Marriage License Example

 

Below is an example of a Minnesota marriage license and marriage certificate provided by the Polk County Registrar. 

 

Your marriage license/certificate may not look identical to this one, but the primary items will be familiar. This sample is intended for general educational purposes only. 

 

 

Marriage License MN Example (Page One)

 

Above: The marriage license is retained by the officiant for their records. 

 

 

Marriage Certificate MN Example (Page Two)

Above: The marriage certificate is completed by the officiant and two witnesses, and returned to the issuing office within 5 days of the ceremony.

 

 

 

3. What if You Make a Mistake on a MN Marriage Certificate?

 

If you make a mistake while filling out the marriage license – such as a misspelled name or incorrect location – contact the clerk’s office directly to ask what steps should be taken to correct the error. Do not use white-out or corrective tape. Depending on the type / extent of the error, the couple may need to purchase a replacement license to fill out again.

 

Since different counties have different steps to take to correct various types of errors, we recommend you contact the clerk’s office directly with your questions. This will be the simplest way to handle any issues that come up.

 

How to correct or amend a Minnesota marriage certificate after it’s filed

 

To amend a Minnesota marriage certificate after it's filed, start by contacting the specific county office where the certificate was filed for the next steps. In general, you will likely need to complete an “Affidavit to Amend a Marriage Record” or “Marriage Certificate Amendment Form,” and pay a non-refundable fee (approximately $40, this includes a copy of your updated marriage certificate). 

 

To find out which county you originally filed in (the “custodial county,” search the record using the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). 

According to Le Sueur and Dakota County documents, only certain corrections are allowed through the county – including missing information, misspelling of name(s), and date or place of marriage – and you must provide certified, original documentation that was issued before the marriage date. 

 

 

4. Can I Officiate a Wedding in Minnesota?

 

Yes! AMM Ministers and other adults who are at least 21 years old can officiate a wedding in Minnesota. No specific credentials are needed to perform marriages in the state; instead, all officiants must register as a "civil marriage officiant” by completing a “Certificate of Filing for Marriage Officiant” form.

 

Some counties require officiant registration to be done in person, while others allow registration by mail or online with the verification of a Notary Public. The fee to register varies by county, and is approximately $30-$100. Once your registration is approved, you have the authority to officiate weddings in the state. 

Learn more about officiant registration to perform weddings in Minnesota here: 

 

• How To Register as a Wedding Officiant in Minnesota

 

As mentioned above, you’re no longer required to submit Minister Credentials when registering. However, it’s good practice to keep official copies of these documents for your own records.  

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5. How Much is a Marriage License in MN?

 

Marriage license prices may vary slightly by county, and sometimes increase to keep up with state budget costs. For the most-current Minnesota marriage license cost, click the link below, or contact your local clerk’s office: 

 

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

 

6. How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License in MN? (Waiting Period)

The amount of time you spend in the clerk’s office will vary depending on where you apply for your license. After your application is approved, you can marry the same day – there is no marriage license waiting period in Minnesota. 

 

Learn more about the marriage waiting period and same day weddings: 

 

• Can You Get Married on the Same Day You Get a Marriage License?
• Last Minute Wedding: Officiating a Ceremony on Short Notice, or Same Day!

 

 

7. How Long is a Marriage License Good For in MN?

 

The amount of time your marriage license is valid is called the “expiration period.” This is the number of days or months you have to use your license after it’s issued – your ceremony must take place within this timeframe. In Minnesota, this period is six (6) months from the date it is issued. 

 

• Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return
• See all MN marriage license laws 

 

 

8. Where Do I Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate in MN?

 

You’ve got a few options for ordering a copy of a MN marriage certificate:

 

First, order a certified copy of your marriage certificate directly from the county where it was originally filed. You’ll be asked for the full names of both parties before marriage, and the marriage date. Note: As Anoka County explains, county offices can only provide copies of certificates filed with them directly – you must contact the correct county office. 

 

To find out which county you originally filed in (the “custodial county,” search the record using the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). 

 

Second, an un-official record of your marriage can be found using the Minnesota Official Marriage System. This public database is maintained with the help of all 87 counties in the state, and is a useful resource for quickly confirming a marriage record was filed. 

 

Next, you may be able to order a certified copy of your certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health, but this option is slower and more complicated than ordering directly from the county office where the record is stored. 

 

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More Wedding Officiant Advice from AMM

 

• How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time
   
• Wedding Officiant Do's & Don't's
   
• The Officiant Timeline
   
• What to Wear (and Not Wear) as a Wedding Officiant

 

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