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Divorce Residency Requirements in Minnesota

In Minnesota, one spouse must have lived in the state (or been stationed there in the military) or been domiciled there for 180 days before filing, and the ground is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Minnesota at a glance

State residency
180 days
Limited exception for some nonresidents married in Minnesota whose home jurisdiction will not grant the dissolution.
County residency
No county period; county where either spouse resides
No-fault ground
Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Minnesota

How long must you live in Minnesota before filing for divorce?

State residency in Minnesota: 180 days. Limited exception for some nonresidents married in Minnesota whose home jurisdiction will not grant the dissolution.

Is there a county residency requirement for divorce in Minnesota?

County residency in Minnesota: No county period; county where either spouse resides.

What is the no-fault ground for divorce in Minnesota?

No-fault ground in Minnesota: Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship.

Where do the Minnesota divorce residency requirements come from?

The rules above come from Minn. Stat. 518.07, Minn. Stat. 518.06 and Minn. Stat. 518.09. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Residency is about where a spouse actually lives and intends to stay, not just a mailing address. Courts may look at a driver's license, voter registration, a lease or deed, tax filings and employment records. Keeping copies of these documents can help if residency is questioned.

Meeting the residency requirement is separate from any waiting period after filing. Some states also require a period of separation before a no-fault divorce, or a cooling-off period before the final decree. Checking all of these timelines together gives a more realistic picture of when a divorce can be finalized.

Military members and their spouses often have special residency rules based on where they are stationed. If the spouses live in different states, more than one court may be able to hear the divorce, and the choice can affect issues like property division and support. A local family law attorney can confirm where to file.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.