My Husband and I are from India. We got married in India in the traditional way a few days back and returned back to USA. We would like to get our wedding registered in Minnesota in the court house in front of a judge. We live in Hennepin county, planning to apply for Marriage License tomorrow. Do we need to have witnesses for the marriage? If we don't have any witnesses what is the alternate solution? How long does the court house marriage takes place? Can we do the court house wedding on Weekends (sat/Sun) or does it have to be Weekdays only? What documents should we carry on the day of marriage? Is there a phone number we could call to have all our questions clarified in detail?

Usually somebody at the courthouse can act as a witness

About.com: http://www.hennepin.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.3f94db53874f9b6f68ce1e10b1466498/?vgnextoid=2fcda44d3d9fc010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCR D

About.com: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=517

Hennepin County Recorder
300 South Sixth St
Minneapolis, MN 55487
612-348-3051

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Originally Posted by kirti2009

My Husband and I are from India. We got married in India in the traditional way a few days back and returned back to USA. We would like to get our wedding registered in Minnesota in the court house infront of a judge. We live in Hennepin county, planning to apply for Marriage License tomorrow. Do we need to have witnesses for the marriage? If we don't have any witnesses what is the alternate solution? How long does the court house marriage takes place? Can we do the court house wedding on Weekends (sat/Sun) or does it have to be Weekdays only? What documents should we carry on the day of marriage? Is there a phone number we could call to have all our questions clarified in detail?

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These are questions to ask when you apply for your license. Were you married in a civil or religious ceremony in India? Civil ceremonies in other countries are recognized in the US and there may not be a need to marry again, unless you want to repeat your vows.

Yes, you will need witnesses. There is usually someone at the Courthouse who witnesses routinely for people without witnesses. Only the Judge knows when you can schedule the wedding, what their schedule is, what documents you need to get the license and then show at the "ceremony," what days of the week they perform marriages.

You would have to ask the LOCAL office. I don't know where you are but the Licensing Bureau should be in your telephone book.

Here's the short version of how it works in Minnesota:

Requirements may vary as each county in Minnesota could have their own requirements.

Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of Minnesota.

ID Requirement:
You must provide proper identification, along with Social Security numbers.
Previous Marriages:
You must show proof of divorce, death or annulment from your most recent marriage.

I would take any pertinent information such as birth certificates, social security numbers, drivers license ID, any divorce papers from previous marriages, etc...

The whole ceremony if you go for the short regular version is 15 minutes

The witnesses could be almost anybody and you need to of them (co worker, stranger off street... )

If the court house is open then yes you can have it on the weekend but be warned it may be busy and there may be a wait

If you call your court house, they have more information

Here is a link to the site with the laws of Minnesota on getting married Applying for a Marriage License in Minnesota -- Getting Married in Minnesota

We got married in a Religious ceremony in the presence of family and friends.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

These are questions to ask when you apply for your license. Were you married in a civil or religious ceremony in India? Civil ceremonies in other countries are recognized in the US and there may not be a need to marry again, unless you want to repeat your vows.

Yes, you will need witnesses. There is usually someone at the Courthouse who witnesses routinely for people without witnesses. Only the Judge knows when you can schedule the wedding, what their schedule is, what documents you need to get the license and then show at the "ceremony," what does of the week they perform marriages.

You would have to ask the LOCAL office. I don't know where you are but the Licensing Bureau should be in your telephone book.

Here's the pretty long version of how it works in Wisconsin:

Start by applying for a marriage license at the county clerk's office. It must be a county where one party has lived for the past 30 days. Your license will be issued after a five-day waiting period. A court can sometimes waive the waiting period for an emergency, such as illness or pregnancy.

Requirements may vary as each COUNTY in WISCONSON has its own requirements. Check with your County Clerk for changes and clarifications in the requirements before you leave home to apply for your marriage license.
ID Requirement:
You must bring your driver's license with your current address or two pieces of mail with your current address, Social Security Number, and have a certified copy of your birth certificate.
Know your parents full names, mothers' maiden names. Make sure you have the date and place of your marriage ceremony and the name, address and phone number of the officiant.
Make sure you contact your County Clerk's office prior to leaving to get your marriage license. Some counties have different requirements as to required documents.
Within 30 days of receiving your license, the marriage must be solemnized by mutual declarations (vows) before an authorized official and two witnesses. The authorized official can be an ordained member of the clergy, a judge, a court commissioner, or certain religious appointees. In some religions, you and your prospective spouse officiate under established customs or rules.

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