Joint Filing

[neilrossmessick]

My wife and I have lived together since 2014 and were married in 2019. The ceremony was conducted by a licensed officiant, but, for estate purposed, we did not file a government marriage certificate. We live and pay taxes in Minnesota.

Can we file jointly without benefit of a government marriage license?

[DoninGA]

If you did not apply for and receive a marriage license, then you are not legally married according the laws of your state for 2019.

To be legally married in Minnesota you have to apply for a marriage license and be married by someone authorized to perform marriages. Then you get a marriage certificate that shows you are legally married.