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Marriage Officiant
Legislative change effective July 1, 2025 will require anyone performing a marriage to register with a county office.
To perform a wedding ceremony in Minnesota, you must register with a Minnesota county prior to the ceremony. No credentials are required to register with the county. (M.S. 517.04)
Filing Requirements
- Complete Certificate of Filing. This can be done in person, by mail or online. See further instructions below.
- $40 Filing Fee
- Officiant must be 21 years of age or older
- The Certificate of Filing form will be available at the Clay County Recorder's Office to complete.
- Form needs to be signed when present at the Recorder's Office.
- Bring government issued photo ID.
- Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card*.
*A convenience fee applies to credit card payments.
- Complete Certificate of Filing.
- Have signature notarized on the form.
- Mail the form and payment to the Clay County Recorder as instructed on the 2nd page.
- Complete Certificate of Filing.
- Have signature notarized on the form.
- Upload completed certificate here. The $40 filing fee* will be paid online.
*A convenience fee applies to credit card payments.
Information for Marriage Officiant
A marriage license that was issued by Clay County is given to the applicants at the time they complete the application process. They will receive the marriage license and the marriage certificate. They will also receive an envelope that can be used to send the completed certificate back to our office. The marriage license shall be kept by the officiant as proof of your authority to solemnize the marriage. The marriage certificate needs to completed by the officiant. Failure to complete the marriage certificate properly will result in a delay of the issuance of the certified marriage certificate.
- M.S. 517.06 - The couple and witnesses must be present at the ceremony and you must view ID of all four people
- M.S. 517.10 - The officiant and witnesses print and sign their name on the certificate. The applicants will also sign the marriage certificate.
- M.S. 517.13 - Complete and return the original certificate to the local records office within 5 days after the ceremony to avoid penalty.
- M.S. 517.04 - The county where the officiant is registered should be entered on each marriage certificate.
- A MN marriage license must be used in the borders of the state of Minnesota.
- A license is valid for six months. The marriage license will state the time frame that it is valid.
- The Marriage License is to be kept by the officiant and the completed marriage certificate is returned to the county where the applicants applied.
- Witnesses must be 16 years of age or order and have ID.
- Print legibly. This is a legal document that will remain on record forever.
- Have both witnesses sign and print their name below.
- Have both applicants sign the marriage certificate.
- Fill out each line on the certificate. Missing information will delay the issuance of a certified copy.
- If there are questions, call the county listed on the marriage license before sending in the certificate.
If you have any questions about performing a marriage within the borders of Minnesota please call our office at 218-299-5031.