{"id":9361,"name":"Fargo","state_id":43,"county_id":2201,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:34:30.102-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-31T06:40:53.066-07:00","meta_description":"learn how to officiate weddings and plan ceremonies in Fargo, North Dakota","head_tag":"A guide to to officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Fargo, North Dakota","tagline":"Oh Geez! It's Fargo...","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eNorth Dakota may be one of the least visited states in the U.S. (well, it\u0026rsquo;s the \u003ca href=\"https://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1999/11/01/268029/index.htm\"\u003eleast visited \u003c/a\u003estate) thanks to its extreme weather and distance from major metropolitan areas, but it\u0026rsquo;s also one of the Top 5 \u003ca href=\"https://www.factretriever.com/north-dakota-facts\"\u003ehappiest states\u003c/a\u003e. The meaning of Dakota in the Native American Sioux language is \u0026ldquo;friend\u0026rdquo; or \u0026ldquo;ally,\u0026rdquo; which makes perfect sense for this special corner of the Midwest, where good cheer and generosity are as abundant as the incessant snowfall.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePersonally, we think the Peace Garden state is a great place to tie the knot -- as long as you avoid the winter months, of course! It home to plenty of charming, unique venues and lower prices for accommodations and catering.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe\u0026rsquo;ll walk you through the logistical need-to-know info about getting your officiant ordained and your marriage license application going in the Fargo area so you can focus on the rest of the wedding planning process. Let\u0026rsquo;s get started.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. According to Cass County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s website, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies: \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;a judge of a court of record, a retired judge of a court of record, a court administrator, a retired court administrator with the approval of the chief judge of the judicial district, a former court commissioner who is employed by the court system or is acting pursuant to an order of the chief judge of the commissioner\u0026rsquo;s judicial district, the residential school superintendent of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNone of these titles sound like you? Don\u0026rsquo;t worry. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained with AMM\u003c/a\u003e to become an official minister recognized by the North Dakota state government. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Cass County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person, or just purchase the paperwork from our store just to be safe.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Cass County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to sign the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, but just be sure the marriage license is returned to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office within 5 days of the ceremony.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the Cass County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBoth applicants must apply together in person to complete the application. Note that applicants do not have to be Cass County residents in order to obtain a marriage license, and a North Dakota marriage license allows a couple to get married anywhere within the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nTo obtain your marriage license, both members of the couple will have to visit the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office at 211 9th Street, South Fargo. For more information visit the Cass County Clerk\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.casscountynd.gov/our-county/finance-office/marriage-licenses-and-weddings/marriage-licenses\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoto ID with them (driver\u0026rsquo;s license or passport)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial security numbers (social security card preferred but not required)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you obtain a marriage license, you will need to have a ceremony with an officiant and at least two witnesses. Couples, of course, have the option of having a religious ceremony at a church or other venue, or a civil ceremony inside or out of the courthouse.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Dakota has the most churches per capita in the U.S., so if you want to have a traditional church ceremony, you won\u0026rsquo;t have trouble finding one that suits you. Many churches will even rent out the space when services are not underway, so it\u0026rsquo;s worth checking.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs far as reception areas, North Dakota has a number of great indoor and outdoor wedding venues. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.colonelhankinsonbarn.net/\"\u003eColonel Hankinson Historic Barn\u003c/a\u003e is one great option. Its 5,000 feet of refurbished space sits beneath a beautiful gothic arched roof, which you have to see to appreciate. It also has a bed and breakfast on sight, so it\u0026rsquo;s perfect for a couple that needs to host guests from out of town.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.1908house.com\"\u003e1908 House in Hatton\u003c/a\u003e is another unique option. This Victorian house has a view of the North Goose River, which you can observe from it outside spaces, like the large deck and pergola.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want a really unique can even tie the knot at the\u003ca href=\"https://www.wedding-spot.com/venue/7086/Plains-Art-Museum/\"\u003e Plains Art Museum\u003c/a\u003e, which makes for a very elegant affair. The options are limitless!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe public transportation in Fargo, the MATBUS, is a good way to get around town, but locals say it can be somewhat sporadic, especially when the weather is acting up. If you have guests coming from out of town, you may advise them to use ride-sharing services rather than public transportation. Uber and Lyft are both available in Fargo. If your guests are around for a few extra days, it might be best to rent a car.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFargo has been voted the \u003ca href=\"https://weather.com/sports-recreation/march-madness/news/toughest-weather-city-final4\"\u003etoughest weather city in America \u003c/a\u003eby the Weather Channel, which has become a point of pride for North Dakotans but doesn\u0026rsquo;t really benefit wedding planning. Throughout the year, temperatures can span from 20 below freezing in the dead of winter to over 100 degrees in the summer.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLate May through October is considered the best months in Fargo. In the mid-summer, temperatures generally stay around 80 degrees. Early summer is the ideal time to plan an outdoor wedding.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow soon after the ceremony do I have to return the marriage license in Fargo, South Dakota?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou must return the marriage license to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office within 5 days of the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period between the issuance of the marriage license and the ceremony in Fargo, South Dakota?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no waiting period, so once the couple has received the license, you may hold the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office: \u003c/strong\u003e211 9th Street, South Fargo\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $65\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period: \u003c/strong\u003eNone\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration: \u003c/strong\u003e60 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Couple\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}