Couples hoping to get married on Valentine’s Day will again have the option to do so at no cost at several Minnesota county courthouses, including Ramsey and Washington counties.
Hennepin County District Court began offering free Valentine’s Day weddings in 2013 and other courts have followed suit over the years. In 2026, 10 district courts are offering free Valentine’s Day weddings on Thursday, Feb. 12, and Friday, Feb. 13.
“This year will be Hennepin County District Court’s 13th year of performing free weddings for Valentine’s Day — and we are doing it on Friday the 13th,” said Judge William Koch, who has organized Hennepin County District Court’s Valentine’s Day weddings since their inception. “We hope to flip the script of negativity around Friday the 13th: This year’s theme is ‘Lucky in love.’ We want to celebrate our 13th anniversary with a new group of happy couples. It is such a special day for our couples and everyone here at the courthouse.”
Couples wishing to have a judge marry them on Valentine’s Day should check the list below and follow the directions for registering for a free wedding. Couples do not need to reside in the county in which they plan to marry, but they must have a valid marriage license in that county before a wedding can be performed.
Information and appointments:
In Ramsey County, weddings will take place at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul in the lower-level conference room 40 Find out more at: mncourts.gov/find-courts/ramsey
In Washington County, weddings will take place at the Government Center in Stillwater. For more information call 612-424-9827 or email 10thWashingtonCourtMailbox@courts.state.mn.us
In Beltrami County, weddings will take place at the County Judicial Center in Bemidji. Call 218-888-5060 to make an appointment.
In Carlton County, weddings will take place at the Justice Center in Carlton. Call 218-673-5080 to register.
In Carver County, weddings will take place at the District Court in Chaska. Call 952-361-1420 to register.
In Chisago County, weddings will take place at Chisago County Government Center in Center City. Call 651-213-7020 or email 10thChisagoCourtMailbox@courts.state.mn.us.
In Hennepin County, weddings will take place at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. Find out more here: https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/marriage-ceremonies.
In Lake County, weddings will take place at the Lake County Courthouse in Two Harbors. Call 218-595-5008.
In Roseau County, weddings will take place at the Roseau County Courthouse in Roseau. Call 218-463-2541 for more information.
In St. Louis County and Duluth area, weddings will take place at the Duluth Courthouse in Duluth. call 218-221-7683 for more information.
Related Articles
10 travel gems to visit in 2026 that are off the beaten path
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ review: Lighter and refreshing ‘GoT’ fare
Skywatch: There’s a giant on the rise
Readers and writers: Bidania’s latest shows a new side of Hmong experience
Literary calendar for week of Jan. 18
Leave a Reply