Living Together Is Not Marriage
Minn. Stat. 517.01 — a license, two witnesses, and a solemnization
In Minnesota, a lawful civil marriage may be contracted only when a license has been obtained, and the marriage is contracted in the presence of two witnesses and solemnized by a person authorized to do so, or one whom a party in good faith believes is authorized.
Void if not so contracted. Marriages after April 26, 1941, not contracted that way are null and void.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA long relationship becomes a marriage | What the law actually doesMarriages after April 26, 1941, without a license and solemnization are void |
| The assumptionThe officiant is all that matters | What the law actually doesA license and two witnesses are required too |
A marriage validly formed in another state, property and support claims between unmarried partners, and how a marriage ends are separate questions this page does not answer. Whether a particular relationship is a marriage is a question for a licensed Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 517.01 — Civil marriage contract
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.