News Item
Minnesota Judicial Branch to offer free Valentine's Day weddings
Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Couples hoping for a Valentine’s Day wedding will get some help from the Minnesota Judicial Branch, as judges throughout the state offer free marriages on Feb. 14.
This year, 10 district courts will offer free Valentine’s Day weddings—that’s up from just one a few years ago. Hennepin County District Court has offered free Valentine’s Day weddings since 2013, and last year Ramsey and St. Louis County District Courts joined the festivities. The success and sheer joy of the Valentine’s Day weddings prompted other counties to participate in the event this year.“We’re really looking forward to marrying couples this Valentine’s Day,” said Judge Bridgid Dowdal of Chisago County District Court. “Marrying people is one of the highlights of our job,” added Judge Jesse Seabrooks II, also of Chisago County District Court. “Participating in these Valentine’s Day weddings allows us not only to bring joy to couples but also to show people the courts are here for them.”
Couples wishing to have a judge marry them on Valentine’s Day should check the list below and follow the directions for registering for a free wedding. Each courthouse has a limited number of wedding ceremony times, so appointments are required—no walk-ins. Couples do not need to reside in the county in which they plan to marry, but they must have a valid marriage license before a wedding can be performed.
| COUNTY | ADDRESS | HOW TO REGISTER |
| Beltrami | Beltrami County Judicial Center 600 Minnesota Ave. NW Suite 108 Bemidji, MN 56601 | Call (218) 888-5060 |
| Carlton | Carlton County Justice Center 1780 Justice Drive Suite #2700 Carlton, MN 55718 | Call (218) 673-5065 or email 6thweddings@courts.state.mn.us |
| Chisago | Chisago County Government Center 313 North Main St. Center City, MN 55012 | Call (651) 213-7020 or email 10thChisagoCourtMailbox@courts.state.mn.us |
| Cook | Cook County Courthouse 411 West 2nd St. Grand Marais, MN 55604 | Call (218) 264-7001 or email 6thweddings@courts.state.mn.us |
| Hennepin | Hennepin County Government Center 300 South 6th St. Minneapolis, MN 55487 | ALL SLOTS FILLED |
| Lake | Lake County Courthouse 601 3rd Ave. Two Harbors, MN 55616 | Call (218) 595-5001 or email 6thweddings@courts.state.mn.us |
| Pine | Pine County Courthouse 635 Northridge Drive NW Suite 320 Pine City, MN 55063 | Call (320) 591-1500 ext. 158515 or email amy.willert@courts.state.mn.us |
| Ramsey | Ramsey County Kellogg Courthouse 15 West Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102 (Lower-Level Conference Room 40) | ALL SLOTS FILLED |
| St. Louis County-Duluth | Duluth Courthouse 100 North 5th Ave. West Duluth, MN 55802-1285 | Call (218) 221-7560 or email 6thweddings@courts.state.mn.us |
| St. Louis County-Virginia | Virginia Courthouse 300 5th Ave. South Virginia, MN 55792-2666 | Call (218) 305-7021 or email 6thweddings@courts.state.mn.us |
| Washington | 14949 62nd Street N Stillwater, MN 55082 | Call (651) 413-8093 or email 10thwashingtoncourtmailbox@courts.state.mn.us |