How to Do an Annulment of Marriage in Minnesota and Why It’s Important to Know
So what’s the big deal with this thing called an ‘annulment’ of marriage in Minnesota? Usually we’re used to hearing about divorces and legal separations. That seems to be the norm. But an annulment of marriage in Minnesota?
The Basics of an Annulment of Marriage in Minnesota
It’s a court process to end a marriage, just like a divorce – however, while a divorce simply ends a marriage, an annulment of marriage in Minnesota practically erases it.
This is especially important, not only in Minnesota but everywhere, because of the consequences of an annulment of marriage in Minnesota. Think about it:
There’s a slight issue, though, when it comes to an annulment of marriage in Minnesota:
The Grounds for an Annulment of Marriage
They’re harder to prove than divorce. How to do an annulment of marriage, for sure, has a few more things to think about other than ‘irreconcilable differences.’
For starters, the Minnesota Statutes 518.02 to 518.05 state that suitable grounds for an annulment of marriage will include:
1. No Voluntary Consent From One Party Due to:
a) Mental Illness
b) Insanity
c) Mental Incapacity
d) Intoxication
e) Force or Duress
2. Impotence Without the Other Party’s Knowledge
3. Underage
Those are the specific grounds for an annulment of marriage.
To elaborate on some of this, recognize that in order for an annulment to be awarded by the court, there can be no prior knowledge of any of these grounds on the other party. So if a person married someone who was impotent without knowing that he or she was, legally that person can pursue how to do an annulment of marriage and file accordingly.
But There’s More in Terms of Grounds for an Annulment of Marriage
Essentially, the marriage has to be legal. What does that mean?
We can consider these types of grounds for an annulment of marriage as almost common knowledge, in that if the marriage isn’t legal, than it must be “void.” Meaning it doesn’t exist. Therefore the legal documentation of this illegal marriage can be wiped clean with an annulment in Minnesota.
Here are some common ‘invalids,’ or common grounds for an annulment of marriage that would void a marriage:
1. No Marriage License : Annulment of a Marriage in MN
2. Invalid Marriage Ceremony : Annulment of a Marriage in MN
3. No Parental Consent for Minors : Annulment of a Marriage in MN
4. No Heterosexual Marriage : Annulment of a Marriage in MN
5. One or Both Parties Are Already Legally Married to Other People : Annulment of a Marriage in MN
6. No Witnesses : Annulment of a Marriage in MN
When considering how to do an annulment of marriage in Minnesota, think of these.
Having no marriage license is basically like working a job without a contract. So if by chance you got married without a license, legally you’re actually not married. That would make it easy on how to do an annulment of marriage.
Furthermore, a valid ceremony would have to be facilitated either by an ordained person or a courthouse official authorized to preside over marriages.
In Minnesota, the law states that individuals between the ages of 15 and 18 require parental consent to get married. If there’s no parental consent, the marriage is void.
Believe it or not, but in order for a marriage to be legal, you have to have at least two witnesses. If not, you can proceed and get it filed immediately with no problem.
Same-sex marriages are also considered illegal, and therefore void. In addition, a marriage involving one or both parties who are already married to someone else can’t legally enter into another marriage without successfully dissolving the prior marriage.
