How Minnesota''s Marriage Education Discount Works
Minnesota offers one of the largest marriage license discounts in the country. Couples who complete approved premarital education pay just $40 for their marriage license instead of the standard $115 — a savings of $75.
The program is called the Marriage Education Discount (MED) and is codified in Minnesota Statute 517.08.
Requirements
To qualify for the $75 discount:
- Complete at least 12 hours of premarital education or at least 3 hours of premarital counseling with a licensed or ordained provider
- The education/counseling must be provided by an approved provider — a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed psychologist, or an ordained clergy member
- Obtain a signed certificate from your provider stating the hours completed
- Apply for your license online through the Minnesota county vital records office
- Present the certificate at the time of application
12 Hours vs. 3 Hours: What''s the Difference?
Minnesota offers two paths to the discount:
Path 1: 12 hours of premarital education
- Group classes, workshops, or structured programs
- Can include church-based marriage preparation, community classes, or online courses
- Must cover relationship skills like communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning
Path 2: 3 hours of premarital counseling
- One-on-one or couples sessions with a licensed counselor or ordained clergy
- More personalized and focused on your specific relationship
- Most couples complete this in 3–4 sessions
Both paths qualify for the same $75 discount. The counseling path is faster; the education path is often cheaper (many programs are free through churches).
Who Can Provide the Education or Counseling?
Minnesota accepts premarital education and counseling from:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Psychologists
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Ordained or licensed clergy members
- Approved community education programs
Your pastor qualifies as a provider. If you''re already doing church-based premarital counseling, it likely satisfies the requirement — just make sure your pastor provides a signed certificate documenting the hours.
Minnesota Marriage License Fees by County
| County | Standard Fee | With MED Discount | |--------|-------------|-------------------| | Hennepin (Minneapolis) | $115 | $40 | | Ramsey (St. Paul) | $115 | $40 | | Dakota | $115 | $40 | | Anoka | $115 | $40 | | Washington | $115 | $40 | | Olmsted (Rochester) | $115 | $40 | | St. Louis (Duluth) | $115 | $40 |
The discount is uniform across all 87 Minnesota counties.
Step-by-Step: How to Get the Discount
- Choose your path: 12 hours of education or 3 hours of counseling
- Find a provider: Browse Minnesota premarital counselors → or contact your church
- Complete the program and receive a signed certificate
- Apply for your marriage license at your county''s vital records office. Both partners must appear with valid ID.
- Present your certificate — the clerk reduces your fee from $115 to $40
- Note: Minnesota has no waiting period — you can use your license immediately
Is 12 Hours Too Much?
It sounds like a lot, but consider: many church premarital counseling programs already meet or exceed 12 hours. If your pastor does 6 one-hour sessions, that''s only halfway — but supplementing with a weekend marriage retreat or a structured program like PREPARE/ENRICH gets you there easily.
The 3-hour counseling path exists specifically for couples who want a faster route. Three sessions with a licensed counselor typically costs $300–$600 — but the $75 discount offsets some of that, and the investment in your relationship pays far greater dividends.
Other States With Marriage License Discounts
Minnesota''s $75 discount is the largest available. Other states with similar programs: