Created and reviewed for accuracy by researchers at the Universal Life Church Ministries

Minnesota Outline

Congratulations! If you've found yourself at this page it is likely that you are either planning to be married or have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Minnesota. Ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in Minnesota. The information provided below will walk you through the steps one must follow to become a minister and perform a valid wedding ceremony in the state of Minnesota.

Quick Facts
  • ULC Ordination Accepted: Yes
  • Minister Registration Required: Yes
  • Minister's Residency: Irrelevant
  • Minister's Minimum Age: 21
  •  
  • Marriage License Waiting Period: 0 Days
  • Marriage License Valid For: 6 Months
  • Marriage License Return Within: 5 Days
Regional Information

For more specific information about performing a wedding in certain parts of Minnesota, choose a location below. If your area isn't listed, don't worry - just continue scrolling to review the helpful general information on this page.

1 How to Become an Ordained Minister in Minnesota

If you haven't already, you should get ordained online with the Universal Life Church. Ordination is free and can be completed in just a matter of minutes. Thousands of legally valid marriages are performed by ULC ministers around the world every year. Begin the process by clicking the big blue button below!

2 Officiating a Wedding in Minnesota

Next, you should contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk). Let them know that you are a minister of the Universal Life Church in Seattle, and ask what they will require of you to officiate a legal marriage.

Select your County Recorder to quickly generate the contact information for your local marriage authority.



Select a county recorder contact

3 Minnesota Officiant Requirements

After you've contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in Minnesota to get a Classic Wedding Package. It's been reported to us by Universal Life Church ministers in the state that county clerks in Minnesota also require a Letter of Good Standing - so make sure you add this document to your order! Please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.

The state of Minnesota strongly incentivizes premarital counseling. Those who receive at least 12 hours of counseling can get a discount on their Minnesota marriage license. Ordained ministers can legally perform and certify premarital counseling, though they must first be certified to officiate at weddings. By law, premarital counseling in Minnesota must include communication and conflict management training, as well as premarital inventory (and evaluation of the couple's expectations for marriage).

Following counseling, the minister must present a statement using the following language: I, (name of educator), confirm that (full legal names of both parties) received at least 12 hours of premarital education that included the use of a premarital inventory and the teaching of communication and conflict management skills. I am a licensed or ordained minister, a person authorized to solemnize marriages under Minnesota Statutes, section 517.18, or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under Minnesota Statutes, section 148B.33.

4 How to get Married in Minnesota

Minnesota's Top Wedding Spot

Minnesota's Top Wedding Spot

Pebble-stone beaches that line the north shore of Lake Superior

Now that you've done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Minnesota marriage license from the appropriate office. This license is valid for 6 months, and there is no waiting period between when the couple picks up the marriage license and when the ceremony may legally be conducted, however there is as a 5 day window between the date of the wedding ceremony and when the signed license must be returned to the issuing office.

At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in Minnesota, after they've received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding (while a sometimes-daunting task) can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new Minnesota wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.

5 Advice for Performing a Minnesota Weddings

The state of Minnesota sees most outdoor weddings taking place between late May to late September, mostly due to the conditions of the weather outside of that period. This will also be most difficult time to book a venue, as couples clamour to lock-in the location of their big day. Should you be asked to officiate a wedding in Minnesota, make sure you are checking your local forecast and dressing accordingly! How much should an officiant charge for weddings in Minnesota? That depends on several factors, including how experienced the officiant is, how much preparation will be involved, and if travel will be required. From rustic barn weddings on one of the many farms in the sweeping Minnesota landscape, to the incredible Minnesota Arboretum which boasts over 23 natural and splendid settings for the wedding ceremony, Minnesota offers a great deal for those who will be coming together in matrimony.


Minnesota Marriage Code

Minnesota Flag

Minnesota Marriage Code

Performing a marriage in Minnesota may seem daunting, but so long as you are wary of the requirements and deadlines pertinent to your situation you should find success. Universal Life Church ministers perform valid legal marriages in Minnesota every month. In Minnesota, marriage is governed by Section 4 of Article 517 of the state's code - we've excerpted this below for your convenience.

517.04 Solemnization Marriages may be solemnized throughout the state by 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's judicial district, the residential school administrators of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, a licensed or ordained minister of any religious denomination, or by any mode recognized in section 517.18. View the Minnesota Statutes on the official state site.

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Aitkin County

209 2nd St NW, Room 203
Aitkin, Minnesota
56431

Phone: (218) 927-7350
Aitkin County website »

Anoka County

2100 3rd Ave.
Anoka, Minnesota
55303

Phone: (763) 324-1360
Anoka County website »

Becker County

915 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
56501

Phone: (218) 846-7304
Becker County website »

Beltrami County

701 Minnesota Ave NW, 1st Floor
Bemidji, Minnesota
56601

Phone: (218) 759-4174
Beltrami County website »

Benton County

531 Dewey Street
Foley, Minnesota
56329

Phone: (320) 968-5037
Benton County website »

Big Stone County

20 Second St SE Suite 106
Ortonville, Minnesota
56278

Phone: (320) 839-6390
Fax: (320) 839-6394
Big Stone County website »

Blue Earth County

204 S. 5th Street
Mankato, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 304-4284
Fax: (507) 304-4344
Blue Earth County website »

Brown County

14 S. State St, 2nd Floor
New Ulm, Minnesota
56073

Phone: (507) 233-6653
Brown County website »

Carlton County

301 Walnut Avenue
Carlton, Minnesota
55718

Phone: (218) 384-9156
Fax: (218) 384-9157
Carlton County website »

Carver County

600 East 4th Street
Chaska, Minnesota
55318

Phone: (952) 361-1910
Carver County website »

Cass County

303 Minnesota Ave W
Walker, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 547-7260
Cass County website »

Chippewa County

629 North Eleventh Street, Suite 4
Montevideo, Minnesota
56265

Phone: (320) 269-9431
Fax: (320) 269-7168
Chippewa County website »

Chisago County

313 N. Main St.
Center City, Minnesota

Phone: (651) 257-1300
Fax: (651) 213-8876
Chisago County website »

Clay County

807 11th Street North
Moorhead, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 299-5012
Clay County website »

Clearwater County

213 Main Avenue North, Dept. 207
Bagley, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 694-6129
Fax: (218) 694-6179
Clearwater County website »

Cook County

411 W. 2nd Street
Grand Marais, Minnesota
55604

Phone: (218) 387-3660
Fax: (218) 387-3043
Cook County website »

Cottonwood County

900 3rd Avenue
Windom, Minnesota
56101

Phone: (507) 831-1458
Fax: (507) 831-3675
Cottonwood County website »

Crow Wing County

Land Services br> 322 Laurel St, Suite 15
Brainerd, Minnesota
56401

Phone: (218) 824-1010
Fax: (218) 824-1126
Crow Wing County website »

Dakota County

1590 West Highway 55 floor 2
Hastings, Minnesota

Phone: (651) 438-4313
Dakota County website »

Dodge County

22 East 6th Street
Mantorville, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 635-6250
Fax: (507) 635-6265
Dodge County website »

Douglas County

305 8th Ave W
Alexandria, Minnesota
56308

Phone: (320) 762-3877
Fax: (320) 762-2389
Douglas County website »

Faribault County

414 North Main Street Middle Level
Blue Earth, Minnesota
56013

Phone: (507) 526-6252
Fax: (507) 526-5272
Faribault County website »

Fillmore County

101 Fillmore Street
Preston, Minnesota
55965

Phone: (507) 765-4701
Fillmore County website »

Freeborn County

411 South Broadway
Albert Lea, Minnesota
56007

Phone: (507) 377-5130
Fax: (507) 377-5265
Freeborn County website »

Goodhue County

509 W. 5th Street
Red Wing, Minnesota

Phone: (651) 385-3149
Goodhue County website »

Grant County

10 2nd St. NE
Elbow Lake, Minnesota
56531

Phone: (218) 685-8255
Fax: (218) 685-4178
Grant County website »

Hennepin County

6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
55430

Phone: (612) 348-8240
Hennepin County Marriage Laws »

Houston County

304 S Marshall St, Room 111
Caledonia, Minnesota
55921

Phone: (507) 725-5813
Fax: (507) 725-2647
Houston County website »

Hubbard County

301 Court Avenue
Park Rapids, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 732-4348
Fax: (218) 732-3645
Hubbard County website »

Isanti County

555 18th Ave SW, Room 1104
Cambridge, Minnesota
55008

Phone: (763) 689-1191
Isanti County website »

Itasca County

123 NE 4th Street
Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 327-7363
Itasca County website »

Jackson County

405 4th Street
Jackson, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 847-2580
Fax: (507) 847-6824
Jackson County website »

Kanabec County

18 North Vine Street Suite 261B
Mora, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 679-6466
Fax: (320) 679-6431
Kanabec County website »

Kandiyohi County

400 Benson Ave SW
Willmar, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 231-6223
Fax: (320) 231-6284
Kandiyohi County website »

Kittson County

410 5th Street S Suite 202
Hallock, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 843-2842
Fax: (218) 843-2538
Kittson County website »

Koochiching County

715 4th Street
International Falls, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 283-6290
Koochiching County website »

Lac qui Parle County

600 - 6th Street, Suite 4
Madison, Minnesota
56256

Phone: (320) 598-3724
Fax: (320) 598-3125
Lac qui Parle County website »

Lake County

601 3rd Avenue
Two Harbor, Minnesota
55616

Phone: (218) 834-8301
Fax: (218) 834-8493
Lake County website »

Lake of the Woods County

206 8th Ave SE, Suite #280
Baudette, Minnesota
56623

Phone: (218) 634-1902
Lake of the Woods County website »

Le Sueur County

88 South Park Avenue
Le Center, Minnesota
56057

Phone: (507) 357-2251
Fax: (507) 357-8609
Le Sueur County website »

Lincoln County

319 N. Rebecca
Ivanhoe, Minnesota
56142

Phone: (507) 694-1019
Fax: (507) 694-1362
Lincoln County website »

Lyon County

607 West Main Street
Marshall, Minnesota
56258

Phone: (507) 537-6722
Fax: (507) 537-7988
Lyon County website »

Mahnomen County

311 North Main Street
Mahnomen, Minnesota
56557

Phone: (218) 935-5528
Fax: (218) 936-5656
Mahnomen County website »

Marshall County

208 E Colvin Ave, Suite 7
Warren, Minnesota
56762

Phone: (218) 745-4801
Fax: (218) 745-5013
Marshall County website »

Martin County

201 Lake Avenue
Fairmont, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 238-3213
Martin County website »

McLeod County

2391 Hennepin Ave N
Glencoe, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 864-1312
Fax: (320) 864-3268
McLeod County website »

Meeker County

325 Sibley Avenue N, 4th Level
Litchfield, Minnesota
55355

Phone: (320) 693-5345
Fax: (320) 693-5217
Meeker County website »

Mille Lacs County

635 2nd Street SE, 2nd Floor
Milaca, Minnesota
56363

Phone: (320) 983-8236
Fax: (320) 983-8388
Mille Lacs County website »

Morrison County

213 1st Avenue SE Room 24
Little Falls, Minnesota
56345

Phone: (320) 632-0146
Morrison County website »

Mower County

201 1st Street NE
Austin, Minnesota
55912

Phone: (507) 437-9494
Mower County website »

Murray County

2500 28th Street
Slayton, Minnesota
56172

Phone: (507) 836-1156
Fax: (507) 836-6114
Murray County website »

Nicollet County

501 S. Minnesota Ave.
St. Peter, Minnesota
56082

Phone: (507) 934-7806
Nicollet County website »

Nobles County

315 Tenth Street
Worthington, Minnesota
56187

Phone: (507) 295-5268
Fax: (507) 372-8235
Nobles County website »

Norman County

16 3rd Ave E
Ada, Minnesota
56510

Phone: (218) 784-5481
Fax: (218) 784-2399
Norman County website »

Olmsted County

151 4th St SE
Rochester, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 328-7629
Fax: (507) 328-7397
Olmsted County website »

Otter Tail County

520 Fir Ave. W.
Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 998-8000
Otter Tail County website »

Pennington County

101 Main Avenue North
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
56701

Phone: (218) 683-7027
Fax: (218) 683-7026
Pennington County website »

Pine County

635 Northridge Dr. NW, Suite 250
Pine City, Minnesota
55063

Phone: (320) 591-1642
Pine County website »

Pipestone County

416 S. Hiawatha AVE
Pipestone, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 825-1135
Fax: (507) 825-6767
Pipestone County website »

Polk County

612 North Broadway Room 225
Crookston, Minnesota
56716

Phone: (218) 281-3464
Fax: (218) 281-1636
Polk County website »

Pope County

130 E. Minnesota Avenue
Glenwood, Minnesota
56334

Phone: (320) 634-4062
Pope County website »

Ramsey County

15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, Minnesota

Phone: (651) 266-1333
Ramsey County website »

Red Lake County

124 Langevin Ave 2nd floor
Red Lake Falls, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 253-2997
Red Lake County website »

Redwood County

403 S. Mill Street
Redwood Falls, Minnesota
56283

Phone: (507) 637-4032
Fax: (507) 637-4064
Redwood County website »

Renville County

105 South 5th St.
Olivia, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 523-3710
Renville County website »

Rice County

320 Third Street NW
Faribault, Minnesota
55021

Phone: (507) 332-6114
Rice County website »

Rock County

204 E. Brown Street
Luverne, Minnesota
56156

Phone: (507) 283-5022
Fax: (507) 283-1343
Rock County website »

Roseau County

606 5th Ave SW, Room 140
Roseau, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 463-1215
Fax: (218) 463-4102
Roseau County website »

Scott County

200 Fourth Ave West
Shakopee, Minnesota

Phone: (612) 496-8143
Scott County website »

Sherburne County

13880 Business Center Dr NW, Suite 100
Elk River, Minnesota
55330

Phone: (763) 765-4420
Fax: (763) 765-3271
Sherburne County website »

Sibley County

400 Court Avenue
Gaylord, Minnesota
55334

Phone: (507) 237-4079
Sibley County website »

St. Louis County

100 NW 5th Avenue Room 101
Duluth, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 726-2430
St. Louis County website »

Stearns County

705 Courthouse Square, Room 130
St. Cloud, Minnesota
56303

Phone: (320) 656-6540
Stearns County website »

Steele County

630 Florence Avenue, PO Box 890
Owatonna, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 444-7490
Fax: (507) 444-7470
Steele County website »

Stevens County

400 Colorado Ave, Suite 305
Morris, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 208-6565
Stevens County website »

Swift County

301 14th St N, P.O. Box 207
Benson, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 843‑3544
Fax: (320) 843‑2275
Swift County website »

Todd County

215 1st Avenue South, Suite 203
Long Prairie, Minnesota
56347

Phone: (320) 732-4428
Todd County website »

Traverse County

702 2nd Ave N
Wheaton, Minnesota
56296

Phone: (320) 422-7745
Traverse County website »

Wabasha County

625 Jefferson Avenue
Wabasha, Minnesota

Phone: (651) 565-3019
Wabasha County website »

Wadena County

415 S Jefferson Street
Wadena, Minnesota

Phone: (218) 631-7622
Fax: (218) 897-2033
Wadena County website »

Waseca County

300 N State St
Waseca, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 835-0625
Fax: (507) 837-5310
Waseca County website »

Washington County

14949 62nd Street N.
Stillwater, Minnesota

Phone: (651) 430-6175
Washington County website »

Watonwan County

710 Second Ave. S.
St. James, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 375-1216
Watonwan County website »

Wilkin County

300 5th St. S.
Breckenridge, Minnesota
56520

Phone: (218) 643-7112
Fax: (218) 643-7169
Wilkin County website »

Winona County

177 Main Street
Winona, Minnesota
55987

Phone: (507) 457-6350
Winona County website »

Wright County

10 2nd St. NW, Room 160
Buffalo, Minnesota

Phone: (763) 682-7509
Wright County website »

Yellow Medicine County

180 8th Ave
Granite Falls, Minnesota

Phone: (320) 564-3132
Yellow Medicine County website »