If you are getting married in North Dakota, a marriage license can be purchased at any of the County offices in North Dakota.  Click here to contact the correct county for information on how to obtain a license.

The license is only good for 60 days so please don’t apply until you are within that time frame.  In order to obtain a marriage license in Cass County, North Dakota, an application must be completed online or in person at the Cass County Courthouse.  Both applicants must be present when applying in person or picking up the license at the Courthouse.  Applicants do not have to be Cass County residents.

A North Dakota marriage license allows a couple to get married anywhere within the state of North Dakota. If applicants are residents of North Dakota but getting married anywhere within the state of Minnesota, they must obtain a Minnesota marriage license. Marriage licenses are obtained in the state that you are getting married in, not in the state where you reside.

Click here to apply for a Marriage License

Click here to pay for your Marriage License

Hours of operation for issuance of marriage licenses:

• Monday through Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (excluding holidays)

Important Items

1. To obtain a marriage license you must be at least 18 years of age. If applicants are under the age of 18, ages 16 and 17 only, under North Dakota Century Code you must have the written consent of either parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian must be present at the time of the application.

2. Both parties must bring identification that proves their date of birth.  Some examples are a driver's license, passport, or a certified copy of a birth certificate.  Both parties must also know their social security number and it is preferred, but not required to have your social security card with.

3. If either applicant has been previously married, that applicant MUST provide a certified copy of the divorce decree.  If the applicant has been divorced more than once, then certified copies of ALL divorce decrees MUST be provided before obtaining a license.  The application along with any certified copies will be kept on file for 4 years.  A certified copy will have a special stamp stating that it is a true and correct copy made off of the original along with a seal that is either raised or stamped somewhere on the document.  There is typically a fee associated with getting a certified copy. 

4. Both applicants have the option of changing their last name (surname) after marriage. The following options are available:

   • Change to the last name (surname) of the other spouse
   • Change to any former last name (surname) of either spouse
   • Change to a name combining both surnames together separated by a hyphen or a space
   • One or both parties may move their current surname to become their new middle name and then take their spouses surname as their new last name.
     
     

5. The fee for the marriage license is $65.00. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card. Payments made by credit card will incur a minimum fee. 

6. In the state of North Dakota there is no waiting period after you apply for the license before the marriage may take place. The license must be used within 60 days and may be used anywhere in North Dakota. If the license is unused it will be expired and no refunds are available. If the couple still wishes to get married they will have to purchase a new marriage license.

7. By obtaining a marriage license it permits you to be legally married, however you are not legally married until you have had some sort of a ceremony with an officiant and two witnesses. Couples have the option of having a religious ceremony at a church or other location or a civil ceremony inside or out of the courthouse. Click here for more information on civil ceremony options.