Question About Minnesota Marriage Licenses - Answered

Wow, I keep getting all these wonderful questions! Here's the one I got today:


Wedding question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I've been reading your website and I like this three step short answer you give on your page: Minnesota Marriage License - How to get one. You say:

Short answer: 1. Apply for your Minnesota marriage license at any county clerk's office (addresses are below) 2. The county then mails you the license 3. You bring the license to your wedding to be signed by the officiant

Here's my question: But what do you do after you get the license signed by the officiant? Take it back to the county clerk? Keep it, you're done?

??

Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Minneapolis Bride (I changed her name, of course!)



My answer:

Good morning, MB,

Great question! You definitely want the LONG answer - After you bring the license to the minister, I (or he, or she) will take over. I will:

• Get the license (all 3 copies) signed by two witnesses (usually the Best Man and Maid of Honor)
• I'll then sign the license (all 3 copies)
• 2 of the the copies are just ceremonial i.e. unofficial, and they'll be given back to the couple. Their just souvenir copies.
• The 3rd copy is the important one. After the signing, the minister I will then the county will mail that stamped, certified copy to the couple (the process can take up to a month).
• When you receive that official copy back in the mail, it will be all signed, stamped, and certified. It will be that certified copy of your marriage that is the real deal - that's what you'll use to change your driver's license, etc. (No changing of your documents, such as your driver's license, Social Security card, and the like should be done till after you get that license back...which will be about a month after your wedding.

I hope this answer helps!

Warmly,

Pastor Tomkin Coleman
Minneapolis Wedding Minister