Civil Marriage and Divorce in Minnesota

Legal Marriage in Minnesota

A “legal” marriage, one that is recognized in Minnesota, is a civil contract between two persons whom each has the ability to consent to the union; this includes civil marriage. This means that each party has to have the capacity to contract! For persons under guardianship, marriage is possible if the guardian consents or the court appointment does not explicitly limit the right to marry. A license is also required in order to have a legally recognized marriage.

Legal Requirements

The law requires that the persons be at least 18 years old to marry. However, a marriage can take place for persons as young as 16 if consented to by the person’s legal custodial parents, guardian, or the court. Minnesota prohibits marriages between certain relatives. This includes brother and sister, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, and first cousins. It does not matter if the relationship is by the whole or half-blood or if created by adoption.

Who Can Perform a Marriage in Minnesota?

Marriages have to solemnized by persons who have authority to so do: be 21 years old, and hold a position legally licensed to perform marriages. This includes judges, clerks or administrators of court, or licensed or ordained minister. The person performing the marriage must be satisfied that there is no legal impediment to the marriage, such as lack of capacity or it being a void marriage. The persons being married must declare in the presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and two witnesses that they take each other as husband, wife or spouse. They must also meet the requirements of certain religious groups who have different practices. The 2013 same-sex marriage amendments authorize religious organizations to refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages and there is no fine or penalty for refusing or failing to perform a same-sex marriage.

Marriage Annulment in Minnesota

Some marriages are voidable. However, a person seeking to annul a civil marriage contract must meet some very narrow and specific rules. For example, an annulment based on lack of capacity to consent must be brought within 90 days after the petitioner obtains knowledge of the condition giving rise to the lack of capacity. As another example, if two underage persons marry, an action for annulment must be brought before attaining the age for marriage. Finally, a divorce action must be commenced if someone does not meet any of the specific requirements for an annulment.

Minnesota’s Legal Requirements

Minnesota has an evolving statutory and case-law scheme governing marriages. The foregoing is a snapshot of the legal requirements for marriage and is not to be used to define any specific situation and is not to be considered as legal advice. If you or someone you know has a particular problem they wish to discuss and obtain advice on how to handle, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced attorneys at the Law Office of Jeddeloh Snyder Stommes for more information!