Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023
Is a name change on a Minnesota marriage license restricted to just the bride or surnames?
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.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Minnesota Judicial Branch Name Change
- DocumentCloud Hennepin County Name Change
- DocumentCloud Anoka County Name Change
- Ramsey County Marriage Licenses Ramsey County
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