Law extends remote marriage license options during pandemic

A new law extends the ability of local registrars to accept electronic filings, mailed or faxed marriage license applications and allows examination of the parties under oath using audio or video during a COVID-19 peacetime emergency declared by the governor in an executive order.

Permission to accept marriage applications remotely was first extended to local registrars through a provision in the fourth COVID-19 response package passed in 2020. That law took effect on April 16, 2020, and expired on Jan. 15, 2021.

This 2021 law is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021, and expires May 31, 2021.

It is sponsored by Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville) and Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove).

HF17/SF26*/CH1

SF0026* / HF0017 / CH1