Skip to content

Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023

Is a name change on a Minnesota marriage license restricted to just the bride or surnames?


no

Generally, in Minnesota a person can change more than just their surname with a marriage license, but only in specific counties. Some counties will offer more lenient name change options than others. For example, Hennepin County allows middle and surname changes but not a first name change. Meanwhile, Anoka County will allow a complete name change (surname, first and middle names).

However, should either spouse have a prior felony conviction, that person cannot change their name through marriage or may be subject to some restrictions, such as a 30-day waiting period, depending on which county they file in.

See a full discussion of this at MinnPost

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

About fact briefs

Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.

See all fact briefs

MinnPost is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces thoughtful, in-depth journalism about civic and cultural affairs impacting Minnesota. Through our reporting, we take readers beyond the headlines and deep into the issues that matter through our public-service journalism, empowering them to engage in the politics and policy-making shaping Minnesota’s future.

Learn More

Be a Friend of facts

Help us fund more great fact briefs like this one.