Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to update the list of individuals authorized to perform civil marriages in the state of Minnesota, specifically to include current members of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives as eligible officiants.

Main Provisions

• This bill amends the existing Minnesota Statutes Section 517.04, which lists individuals who can solemnize civil marriages.
• The updated statute now explicitly allows members of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives to perform civil marriage ceremonies.
• Other individuals already authorized to perform civil marriages include judges, court administrators, licensed or ordained ministers of any religious denomination, and others as specified in the statute.
• The bill maintains the requirement that individuals solemnizing marriages must be at least 21 years old.
• Definitions and terms are clarified, specifying that a court of record includes the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Significant Changes

• The significant change introduced by this bill is the explicit inclusion of Minnesota legislators as authorized officiants for civil marriages. This broadens the scope of who can legally perform these ceremonies, thereby potentially increasing the availability of marriage officiants in Minnesota.

Relevant Terms

civil marriages, solemnize, Senate, House of Representatives, officiant, judges, ministers, legislators, court of record, Minnesota Statutes Section 517.04