A civil marriage, so far as its validity in law is concerned, is a civil contract between two persons, to which the consent of the parties, capable in law of contracting, is essential. A lawful civil marriage may be contracted only when a license has been obtained as provided by law and when the civil marriage is contracted in the presence of two witnesses and solemnized by one authorized, or whom one or both of the parties in good faith believe to be authorized, so to do. Marriages subsequent to April 26, 1941, not so contracted shall be null and void.
(8562) RL s 3552; 1941 c 459; 1977 c 441 s 1; 1978 c 772 s 1; 1997 c 203 art 10 s 1; 2013 c 74 s 2
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 517 - 519A — Domestic Relations
Section 517.01 — Civil Marriage Contract.
Section 517.02 — Persons Capable Of Contracting.
Section 517.03 — Prohibited Civil Marriages.
Section 517.04 — Persons Authorized To Perform Civil Marriages.
Section 517.041 — Power To Appoint Court Commissioner; Duty.
Section 517.05 — Credentials Of Minister.
Section 517.06 — Parties Examined.
Section 517.08 — Application For License.
Section 517.09 — Solemnization.
Section 517.10 — Certificate; Witnesses.
Section 517.101 — Certified Copies Of Civil Marriage Certificate.
Section 517.13 — Penalty For Failure To File Certificate.
Section 517.14 — Illegal Civil Marriage; False Certificate; Penalty.
Section 517.15 — Unauthorized Person Performing Ceremony.
Section 517.16 — Immaterial Irregularity Of Officiating Person Does Not Void.
Section 517.18 — Civil Marriage Solemnization.
Section 517.201 — Relationship To Other Law; Rules Of Construction.