MINISTERIAL CREDENTIAL REGISTRATION

MINNESOTA STATUTE 517.04 PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM CIVIL MARRIAGES

Civil marriages may be solemnized throughout the state by an individual who has attained the age of 21 years and registers as a civil marriage officiant with a local registrar in a county of this state. The county where the civil marriage officiant is registered must be endorsed upon and recorded with each certificate of civil marriage.

Role of the Officiant

Officiants provide an administrative function in a civil marriage in Minnesota, including the following responsibilities:

• Confirming that both individuals are legally able to marry

·        This includes ensuring both are (to the best of their knowledge/ability) mutually willing to marry

·        That the couple has acquired a Minnesota marriage license within the correct timeframe

·        That the couple in front of them are the people listed on the marriage license

• Accurately and completely filling out the marriage certificate

·        Including the date and place of the civil marriage

·        Ensuring there are 2 witnesses (age 16 or older) who sign

·        Ensuring the two individuals getting married sign

• Filing the completed marriage certificate with the local registrar of the County that issued the license.

An officiant must be a person who is not the same individual as the applicant or the witness, authorized to solemnize civil marriages.

Civil marriages in Minnesota are a civil contract between two parties. The law does not govern any religious or cultural ceremony that may or may not be performed alongside it.