Minn. Stat. 517.08 Explained
The part of Minnesota's marriage license law that cuts your fee by $75: what counts as premarital education, who may teach it, and what your educator's statement must say.
Reviewed by Kristen Franzen, LPCC. Facts checked against the text of Minnesota Statutes 517.07 and 517.08. Last updated .
The law in one paragraph
Minn. Stat. 517.08, subdivision 1b, sets the marriage license fee at $125, or $50 for couples who completed at least 12 hours of premarital education. The education must include a premarital inventory and the teaching of communication and conflict management skills. It must come from a licensed or ordained minister (or their designee), a person authorized to solemnize marriages, or a licensed marriage and family therapist. You prove it with a signed, dated, notarized (or church-sealed) statement on the educator's letterhead, handed in when you apply.
The rules, one by one
The fee
$125 for a standard license, $50 with premarital education. The amounts rose on July 1, 2025, and are the same in every county.
What counts as premarital education
At least 12 hours, including a premarital inventory and the teaching of communication and conflict management skills.
Who may provide it
- A licensed or ordained minister, or the minister's designee.
- A person authorized to solemnize civil marriages under section 517.18.
- A person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under section 148B.33.
Our course is taught by Kristen Franzen, an ordained minister (category 1). She is also a Minnesota Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, but that license is not what qualifies her under this law. Her credentials.
The educator's statement
You hand it in when you apply. It must be on the educator's letterhead, signed, dated, and notarized or marked with a church seal. The law gives the wording: the educator confirms that both of you received at least 12 hours of premarital education that included a premarital inventory and communication and conflict management skills, and states which kind of provider they are. Your names must be identical to the legal names on the license application, and the educator keeps a copy for seven years.
Some counties add their own format rules. Anoka, for example, accepts only the original (no copies or faxes), and Dakota asks for its sample format. See our Anoka and Dakota pages.
Applying and using the license
A license from any county works for a ceremony anywhere in Minnesota (517.07). It is valid for six months. The law lets counties take applications in person, by phone or video, by mail or electronically, and lets one partner apply with a notarized verification from the other. There is no waiting period.
Read the full text: Minnesota Statutes 517.08. This page explains the law; it is not legal advice.
Ready to pay $50 instead of $125?
The course pays for itself: Minnesota drops the marriage license fee from $125 to $50 for couples who finish 12 hours of premarital education. That is $75 back, in every county.
Start the course – $29.97 per coupleOne price covers both of you. Signed, notarized Educator's Statement mailed to your door. Standard, Faith-Friendly or Inclusive version.
Minn. Stat. 517.08 FAQ
What does Minn. Stat. 517.08 say about premarital education?
It sets the marriage license fee at $125, or $50 for couples who completed at least 12 hours of premarital education, and it says what that education must include, who may provide it and how you prove it.
When did the fee go up?
On July 1, 2025. The fees rose to $125 and $50. Older websites and forms may still show the earlier amounts.
Who can provide premarital education in Minnesota?
A licensed or ordained minister or the minister's designee, a person authorized to solemnize marriages under section 517.18, or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under section 148B.33.
Is premarital education required to get married in Minnesota?
No. It is optional. It lowers your license fee from $125 to $50.
Does the law allow online premarital education?
The law does not say the education must be in person. It sets the hours, the content and who must provide it.
Does the statement have to be notarized?
It must be signed and dated, and either notarized or marked with a church seal, on the educator's letterhead. The educator must keep a copy for seven years.