Marriage License Information - Stutsman County

In order to obtain a marriage license in North Dakota, both parties must apply together in person at the Stutsman County Courthouse to complete the application. Applicants do not have to be Stutsman County residents.

A North Dakota marriage license allows a couple to get married anywhere within the state of North Dakota.

IMPORTANT ITEMS

• 1. To obtain a marriage license you must be at least 18 years of age. If applicants are under the age of 18, ages 16 and 17 only, under North Dakota Century Code you must have the written consent of both parents or legal guardians. The parents or legal guardians must be present at the time of the application. Legal guardians must bring with legal proof of guardianship.
• 2. Both parties must bring photo ID with them (most people would use a state issued driver’s license or ID card or passport). Both parties must also know their social security number.
• 3. If either applicant has been previously married that applicant must provide a certified copy of the divorce decree or certified copy of the death certificate which will be kept on file permanently with the application for the marriage license. A certified copy normally will have a special stamp and a colored or raised seal somewhere on the document which makes them certified.
• 4. Both parties have the option of changing their last name (surname) after marriage. The following options are available:
  • • Change to the last name (surname) of the other spouse
    • Change to any former last name (surname) of either spouse
    • Change to a name combining both surnames together separated by a hyphen or a space
    • One or both parties may move their current surname to become their new middle name

  and then take their spouses surname as their new last name. Under this option the pre-marriage middle name would be dropped.

• 5. The fee for the marriage license is $65.00. Payment must be made by cash.
• 6. In the state of North Dakota there is no waiting period after you apply for the license before the marriage may take place. The license must be used within 60 days and may be used anywhere in North Dakota. If the license is unused it will be expired and no refunds are available. If the couple still wishes to get married they will have to purchase a new marriage license.