Service and License Centers
Game and Fish Licenses
Game and Fish Licenses and State stamps (not federal) are available at the License Centers.
Specialty licenses, which are issued annually, such as disability and foreign exchange student, can only be obtained from ELS Special Agents. The three Washington County License Centers are ELS Special Agents.
Recreational turtle, mental disability, and veterans' disability can only be obtained from the DNR License Center in St. Paul.
Residents wishing to obtain a license or stamp must provide their Minnesota Driver's License, Minnesota Public Safety Identification or Minnesota DNR number from a prior ELS license. Nonresidents must provide their nonresident driver's license number, social security number or Minnesota DNR number from a prior ELS license. Duplicate licenses are available at any ELS agent location.
The printed ELS license has a backing on the adhesive side that contains important information. After purchase, customers should fold the license without taking off the backing.
To purchase a non-commercial game or fish license, a customer, regardless of age, must either have their social security number (SSN) on file with the DNR or must provide it as part of the license application. Once your SSN is in our records, you will not be asked again for this number. United States residents who do not have a SSN must complete and sign a form stating that they have not been issued a SSN. These forms are available from ELS Special Agents, DNR web site, or DNR Information Center.
Social Security Number (SSN) Required
To purchase a non-commercial game or fish license, a customer, regardless of age, must either have their social security number (SSN) on file with the DNR or must provide it as part of the license application. Once your SSN is in our records, you will not be asked again for this number. United States residents who do not have a SSN must complete and sign a form stating that they have not been issued a SSN. These forms are available from ELS Special Agents, DNR web site, or DNR Information Center
Only ELS Special Agents can process this form and authorize the purchase of a license. Customers who refuse to provide their SSN or sign a form will be denied a license. We understand the sensitivity of this requirement and have taken steps to ensure that the SSN will not be printed on any document and will be kept in a highly secure database.
Note: The 2003 legislature passed this requirement to meet the 1996 Federal National Welfare Reform Act that assists states in the enforcement of child support programs.
For information concerning availability of particular Game and Fish seasonal licenses, contact any of the License Centers.
