
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.
- 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
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 contact

Minnesota's Top Wedding Spot
Pebble-stone beaches that line the north shore of Lake Superior
3 License to Marry in Minnesota
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
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
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.
To view the in-depth wedding laws for Minnesota state:
Minnesota Marriage Laws⇓ Show the rest
Aitkin County
209 2nd St NW, Room 203Aitkin, Minnesota
56431
Phone: (218) 927-7350
Aitkin County website »
Becker County
915 Lake AveDetroit Lakes, Minnesota
56501
Phone: (218) 846-7304
Becker County website »
Beltrami County
701 Minnesota Ave NW, 1st FloorBemidji, Minnesota
56601
Phone: (218) 759-4174
Beltrami County website »
Benton County
531 Dewey StreetFoley, Minnesota
56329
Phone: (320) 968-5037
Benton County website »
Big Stone County
20 Second St SE Suite 106Ortonville, Minnesota
56278
Phone: (320) 839-6390
Fax: (320) 839-6394
Big Stone County website »
Blue Earth County
204 S. 5th StreetMankato, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 304-4284
Fax: (507) 304-4344
Blue Earth County website »
Brown County
14 S. State St, 2nd FloorNew Ulm, Minnesota
56073
Phone: (507) 233-6653
Brown County website »
Carlton County
301 Walnut AvenueCarlton, Minnesota
55718
Phone: (218) 384-9156
Fax: (218) 384-9157
Carlton County website »
Carver County
600 East 4th StreetChaska, Minnesota
55318
Phone: (952) 361-1910
Carver County website »
Chippewa County
629 North Eleventh Street, Suite 4Montevideo, 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 NorthMoorhead, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 299-5012
Clay County website »
Clearwater County
213 Main Avenue North, Dept. 207Bagley, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 694-6129
Fax: (218) 694-6179
Clearwater County website »
Cook County
411 W. 2nd StreetGrand Marais, Minnesota
55604
Phone: (218) 387-3660
Fax: (218) 387-3043
Cook County website »
Cottonwood County
900 3rd AvenueWindom, Minnesota
56101
Phone: (507) 831-1458
Fax: (507) 831-3675
Cottonwood County website »
Crow Wing County
Land Services br> 322 Laurel St, Suite 15Brainerd, Minnesota
56401
Phone: (218) 824-1010
Fax: (218) 824-1126
Crow Wing County website »
Dakota County
1590 West Highway 55 floor 2Hastings, Minnesota
Phone: (651) 438-4313
Dakota County website »
Dodge County
22 East 6th StreetMantorville, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 635-6250
Fax: (507) 635-6265
Dodge County website »
Douglas County
305 8th Ave WAlexandria, Minnesota
56308
Phone: (320) 762-3877
Fax: (320) 762-2389
Douglas County website »
Faribault County
414 North Main StreetBlue Earth, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 526-6252
Faribault County website »
Fillmore County
101 Fillmore StreetPreston, Minnesota
55965
Phone: (507) 765-4701
Fillmore County website »
Freeborn County
411 South BroadwayAlbert Lea, Minnesota
56007
Phone: (507) 377-5130
Fax: (507) 377-5265
Freeborn County website »
Goodhue County
509 W. 5th StreetRed Wing, Minnesota
Phone: (651) 385-3149
Goodhue County website »
Grant County
10 2nd St. NEElbow Lake, Minnesota
56531
Phone: (218) 685-8255
Fax: (218) 685-4178
Grant County website »
Hennepin County
6125 Shingle Creek PkwyBrooklyn Center, Minnesota
55430
Phone: (612) 348-8240
Hennepin County Marriage Laws »
Houston County
304 S Marshall St, Room 111Caledonia, Minnesota
55921
Phone: (507) 725-5813
Fax: (507) 725-2647
Houston County website »
Hubbard County
301 Court AvenuePark Rapids, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 732-4348
Fax: (218) 732-3645
Hubbard County website »
Isanti County
555 18th Ave SW, Room 1104Cambridge, Minnesota
55008
Phone: (763) 689-1191
Isanti County website »
Itasca County
123 NE 4th StreetGrand Rapids, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 327-7363
Itasca County website »
Jackson County
405 4th StreetJackson, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 847-2580
Fax: (507) 847-6824
Jackson County website »
Kanabec County
18 North Vine Street Suite 261BMora, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 679-6466
Fax: (320) 679-6431
Kanabec County website »
Kandiyohi County
400 Benson Ave SWWillmar, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 231-6223
Fax: (320) 231-6284
Kandiyohi County website »
Kittson County
410 5th Street S Suite 202Hallock, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 843-2842
Fax: (218) 843-2538
Kittson County website »
Koochiching County
715 4th StreetInternational Falls, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 283-6290
Koochiching County website »
Lac qui Parle County
600 - 6th Street, Suite 4Madison, Minnesota
56256
Phone: (320) 598-3724
Fax: (320) 598-3125
Lac qui Parle County website »
Lake County
601 3rd AvenueTwo Harbor, Minnesota
55616
Phone: (218) 834-8300
Lake County website »
Lake of the Woods County
206 SE 8th AvenueBaudette, Minnesota
56623
Phone: (218) 634-1902
Lake of the Woods County website »
Le Sueur County
88 South Park AvenueLe Center, Minnesota
56057
Phone: (507) 357-2251
Fax: (507) 357-8609
Le Sueur County website »
Lincoln County
319 N. RebeccaIvanhoe, Minnesota
56142
Phone: (507) 694-1019
Fax: (507) 694-1362
Lincoln County website »
Lyon County
607 West Main StreetMarshall, Minnesota
56258
Phone: (507) 537-6722
Fax: (507) 537-7988
Lyon County website »
Mahnomen County
311 North Main StreetMahnomen, Minnesota
56557
Phone: (218) 935-5528
Fax: (218) 936-5656
Mahnomen County website »
Marshall County
208 E Colvin Ave, Suite 7Warren, Minnesota
56762
Phone: (218) 745-4801
Fax: (218) 745-5013
Marshall County website »
Martin County
201 Lake AvenueFairmont, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 238-3213
Martin County website »
McLeod County
2391 Hennepin Ave NGlencoe, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 864-1312
Fax: (320) 864-3268
McLeod County website »
Meeker County
325 Sibley Avenue N, 4th LevelLitchfield, Minnesota
55355
Phone: (320) 693-5345
Fax: (320) 693-5217
Meeker County website »
Mille Lacs County
635 2nd Street SE, 2nd FloorMilaca, Minnesota
56363
Phone: (320) 983-8236
Fax: (320) 983-8388
Mille Lacs County website »
Morrison County
213 1st Avenue SE Room 24Little Falls, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 632-0146
Morrison County website »
Mower County
201 1st Street NE, Suite 7Austin, Minnesota
55912
Phone: (507) 437-9535
Fax: (507) 434-2646
Mower County website »
Murray County
2500 28th StreetSlayton, 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 StreetWorthington, Minnesota
56187
Phone: (507) 295-5268
Fax: (507) 372-8235
Nobles County website »
Norman County
16 3rd Ave EAda, Minnesota
56510
Phone: (218) 784-5481
Fax: (218) 784-2399
Norman County website »
Olmsted County
151 4th St SERochester, 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 NorthThief River Falls, Minnesota
56701
Phone: (218) 683-7027
Fax: (218) 683-7026
Pennington County website »
Pine County
635 Northridge Dr. NW, Suite 250Pine City, Minnesota
55063
Phone: (320) 591-1642
Pine County website »
Pipestone County
416 S. Hiawatha AVEPipestone, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 825-1135
Fax: (507) 825-6767
Pipestone County website »
Polk County
612 North Broadway Room 225Crookston, Minnesota
56716
Phone: (218) 281-3464
Fax: (218) 281-1636
Polk County website »
Pope County
130 E. Minnesota AvenueGlenwood, Minnesota
56334
Phone: (320) 634-4062
Pope County website »
Ramsey County
15 West Kellogg BoulevardSt. Paul, Minnesota
Phone: (651) 266-1333
Ramsey County website »
Red Lake County
124 Langevin Ave 2nd floorRed Lake Falls, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 253-2997
Red Lake County website »
Redwood County
403 S. Mill StreetRedwood 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 NWFaribault, Minnesota
55021
Phone: (507) 332-6114
Rice County website »
Rock County
204 E. Brown StreetLuverne, Minnesota
56156
Phone: (507) 283-5022
Fax: (507) 283-1343
Rock County website »
Roseau County
606 5th Ave SW, Room 140Roseau, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 463-1215
Fax: (218) 463-4102
Roseau County website »
Scott County
200 Fourth Ave WestShakopee, Minnesota
Phone: (612) 496-8143
Scott County website »
Sherburne County
13880 Business Center Dr NW, Suite 100Elk River, Minnesota
55330
Phone: (763) 765-4420
Fax: (763) 765-3271
Sherburne County website »
Sibley County
400 Court AvenueGaylord, Minnesota
55334
Phone: (507) 237-4079
Sibley County website »
St. Louis County
100 NW 5th Avenue Room 101Duluth, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 726-2430
St. Louis County website »
Stearns County
705 Courthouse Square, Room 130St. Cloud, Minnesota
56303
Phone: (320) 656-6540
Stearns County website »
Steele County
630 Florence Avenue, PO Box 890Owatonna, Minnesota
Phone: (507) 444-7490
Fax: (507) 444-7470
Steele County website »
Stevens County
400 Colorado Ave, Suite 305Morris, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 208-6565
Stevens County website »
Swift County
301 14th St N, P.O. Box 207Benson, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 843‑3544
Fax: (320) 843‑2275
Swift County website »
Todd County
215 1st Avenue South, Suite 203Long Prairie, Minnesota
56347
Phone: (320) 732-4428
Todd County website »
Traverse County
702 2nd Ave NWheaton, Minnesota
56296
Phone: (320) 422-7745
Traverse County website »
Wabasha County
625 Jefferson AvenueWabasha, Minnesota
Phone: (651) 565-3019
Wabasha County website »
Wadena County
415 S Jefferson StreetWadena, Minnesota
Phone: (218) 631-7622
Fax: (218) 897-2033
Wadena County website »
Waseca County
300 N State StWaseca, 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 StreetWinona, Minnesota
55987
Phone: (507) 457-6340
Fax: (507) 454-9397
Winona County website »
Wright County
10 2nd St. NW, Room 160Buffalo, Minnesota
Phone: (763) 682-7509
Wright County website »
Yellow Medicine County
180 8th AveGranite Falls, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 564-3132
Yellow Medicine County website »