***Ministerial registration during COVID-19***
You can still receive your ministerial registration by mail. Send a copy of your Ordination Certificate and $7 fee to:
Dakota County Vital Statistics
1590 Highway 55 Suite 2300
Hastings, MN 55033
Make checks payable to: Dakota County
You can also drop off certificate and fee at one of three drop-off boxes. Boxes are located at the Administration Center, Northern Service Center, and Western Service Center.
If you do not have a Certificate of Ordination, one of the following may be substituted:
- A letter from the main church body (such as the Archdiocese or Synod) with the signature of one official.
- A letter from the church, which must:
- Be on church letterhead (if not, the officials' signatures must be notarized).
- State that the church authorizes the applicant to solemnize marriages.
- Be signed by three other officials of the church.
Please provide your address and phone number. Once received, a Certificate of Filing will be sent.
Under Minnesota Statutes 517.04, 517.05, and 517.15, before a minister of any religious denomination can perform a marriage ceremony in Dakota County, their ministerial credentials must be registered with a county in the state.
A person must be 21 years of age in order to perform a marriage in Minnesota.
Persons authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Minnesota are required to assure that the couple has obtained a Minnesota Marriage license and that the individuals appearing before them are the persons names on the marriage license.
Fees
$7
Register in person
You must provide a copy of your Ordination Certificate to any of the three locations listed above. If you do not have a Certificate of Ordination, one of the following may be substituted:
- A letter from the main church body (such as the Archdiocese or Synod) with the signature of one official.
- A letter from the church, which must:
- Be on church letterhead (if not, the officials’ signatures must be notarized).
- State that the church authorizes the applicant to solemnize marriages.
- Be signed by three other officials of the church.
Please provide your address and phone number. Once received, a Certificate of Filing will be sent.
Register by mail
Send a copy of your Ordination Certificate and fee to:
Dakota County Vital Statistics
1590 Highway 55 Suite 2300
Hastings, MN 55033
Make checks payable to: Dakota County
If you do not have a Certificate of Ordination, one of the following may be substituted:
- A letter from the main church body (such as the Archdiocese or Synod) with the signature of one official.
- A letter from the church, which must:
- Be on church letterhead (if not, the officials’ signatures must be notarized).
- State that the church authorizes the applicant to solemnize marriages.
- Be signed by three other officials of the church.
Please provide your address and phone number. Once received, a Certificate of Filing will be sent.