Marriage—also known as matrimony or wedlock—is the legal and cultural process by which two people join their separate lives as one. The contractual rights and obligations of the parties to a marriage are generally defined by the state, as provided in the state’s statutes (often in the family code), unless otherwise agreed by the parties in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Marriage is intended to last until death, but is often terminated sooner by separation or divorce.

In Minnesota, marriage is recognized as a legal union between two individuals, which grants them certain rights and responsibilities as defined by state statutes. These laws are primarily found in Chapters 517 and 518 of the Minnesota Statutes, which cover marriage solemnization, licenses, and the rights and duties of married persons. Minnesota law allows for prenuptial agreements, which are contracts entered into before marriage that can alter the typical legal effects of marriage regarding property and financial rights. Postnuptial agreements can be made after marriage with similar purposes. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, the state provides legal mechanisms for separation and divorce under Chapter 518 of the Minnesota Statutes, which address the dissolution of marriage, spousal support, child custody, and division of property. It's important to note that same-sex marriage is also legal in Minnesota, following the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which requires all states to license and recognize marriages between two people of the same sex.