The fifth Minnesota Legislature first convened on January 6, 1863. The half of the 21 members of the Minnesota Senate who represented odd-numbered districts were elected during the General Election of October 8, 1861, while the 42 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives and the other half of the members of the Minnesota Senate were elected during the General Election of November 4, 1862.
The legislature met in a regular session from January 6, 1863 to March 6, 1863. There were no special sessions of the 5th Minnesota Legislature.