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Marriage Licenses

Requirements
The following is required to apply for a marriage license.

Must be purchased BEFORE getting married.
A license purchased in Minnesota is only valid in Minnesota and can not be used in any other state.
Must be used within six months or it expires.
Effective August 1, 2009, both parties must be present to apply for a marriage license. If one party cannot be present, they must provide a notarized Supplemental Marriage License Application | Supplemental Marriage License Application (pdf)
No blood test or physical is required.
In the State of Minnesota there is a five day waiting period (after you apply for your license) before you can come back to pick up your license.
Applicants must be 18 years of age to obtain a license (without parental consent). Be prepared to present valid identification.
One applicant must be a man and the other applicant a woman.
Each applicant must provide: full legal name, address, date and place of birth, telephone numbers and social security numbers (if they have one). | U.S Social Security Administration
Must provide after-marriage names and address.
If previously married and now divorced, you must bring your divorce decree with you.
If widowed, you will be asked to provide the date of death.

Fee
The price for a marriage license is | $110.00 (EFFECTIVE July 1st, 2010: the fee will increase to $115.00)
If you have completed 12 hours of special premarital counseling you may be eligible for the reduced marriage license application fee | $40.00 (EFFECTIVE July 1st, 2010: the reduced marriage license counseling fee will remain the same.)

PROOF OF COUNSELING MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION!
If you do not have the required form, you may download below for completion prior to coming in.
This form must be on church or counselor letterhead and signed by the person doing the counseling. That signature must be notarized.

Reduced Fee Premarital Education Statement Guidelines (pdf)
Educators Counseling Format (pdf)
Reduced Fee Marriage License Information (pdf)

Application Process
Please complete the following steps to request a marriage license.

Read through requirements listed above
Downloaded (pdf) or pick up the application in the lobby
Complete the application
Sign the application at the window (signature must be witnessed)
Provide proof of counseling (notarized on church or counselor letterhead) if applying for reduced fee
If previously married and now divorced, provide your divorce decree
If widowed, provide the date of death
Provide identification, such as driver's license, state issued identification card or passport
Payment accepted: cash, checks and money orders (we DO NOT accept credit or debit cards)
Made payable to: Ramsey County

Locations & Hours
Hours vary by location.

Saint Paul - Ramsey County Department of Public Health | 555 Cedar Street, Saint Paul MN 55101 | Metro Transit
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday | 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Plato Building | 90 West Plato Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55107 | Metro Transit
Monday - Friday | 8:30 am - 1:00 pm & 2:00 - 4:00 pm

License Pick-up
You can pick up the license five to seven days after application.
Pick up the license at the same location you submitted your application.
Schedule:

Apply on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday | pick up the following Monday
Apply on Thursday | pick up the following Tuesday
Apply on Friday | pick up the following Wednesday

Legal Name Changes

As Part of Marriage
Anyone changing their name as part of the marriage license process must state on the marriage license application, whether they have ever been convicted of a felony on or after August 1, 2000. If the party changing their name has a felony conviction, there is a 30 DAY procedure that must be followed before the marriage license can be issued with that name change. If the person changing their name is not present at the time of application, the other applicant must provide a notarized Supplemental Marriage License Application | Supplemental Marriage License Application (pdf)

Outside of Marriage
Legal name changes (other than those done through marriage) are handled by the District Courts of the county you live in.

Ramsey County Residents can call Civil Court General Information: 651.266.8253 or download instructions and forms on the Ramsey District Court website . Forms are located under "Legal Forms" and then found by scrolling down to "Name Change".

Civil Marriage Ceremonies
If you are interested in a Civil Marriage Ceremony, you must contact a judge yourself. Minnesota does not have any Justice of the Peace. Referees cannot perform marriages and not all Judges wish to perform marriages | Ramsey County Judges that perform wedding ceremonies (pdf).

Contact Us
651.266.1333 | AskVR
If you are under 18 years of age, please call 651.266.1333 for further information.

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