Find Colorado Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Colorado are issued by County Clerk and Recorder offices in all 64 counties.

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Where to Get a Marriage License in Colorado

County Clerk and Recorder offices issue all marriage licenses in Colorado. You can apply at any of the 64 county offices. The license costs $30 in every county. There is no wait time. You get it the same day you apply. The license is good for 35 days from the date of issue per C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use it anywhere in the state. Both people must go to the clerk office in person to apply unless one party uses the remote option under C.R.S. 14-2-106.5. Colorado residents can apply via video call in some counties. Out-of-state couples must show up in person.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps marriage records after your wedding. They do not issue licenses. Their office at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver holds copies of marriage certificates. You can order a certified copy for $17. Call them at 303-692-2000 for questions. Their website is cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. VitalChek also handles online orders at vitalchek.com. Extra service fees apply for this option.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment vital records page

You do not need to be a Colorado resident to get married here. Any couple can apply. The only rule is that both of you show up together at the clerk office. You need a valid ID. A driver license works best. A passport or state ID card is fine too. Bring your birth certificate if you have no photo ID.

No blood test is needed in Colorado. No waiting period exists. You can get your license and marry the same day if you want. This makes Colorado one of the easier states for a quick wedding. Many couples from other states come here for this reason.

How to Apply for a Colorado Marriage License

The process is simple in most counties. First, fill out the online application if your county has one. Counties like Adams, Boulder, and Douglas offer this. Check your county clerk website to see if they have an online form. The form asks for your full name, birth date, birth place, and last four digits of your social security number. You also give your parents' names and addresses. If you were married before, you list that too. The form takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Next, make an appointment if your county requires one. Adams County and Arapahoe County both need appointments. Boulder County does video appointments for Colorado residents. Jefferson County takes both walk-ins and appointments. Call ahead or check the county website. Some counties get very busy, so book your slot early.

On the day of your visit, bring your ID and payment. Both of you must be there. The clerk will check your forms and IDs. They will print your license right away. You pay $30 by cash, check, or card. Some counties add a small fee for credit card use. The whole visit takes 20 to 30 minutes in most places.

Colorado vital records certificate ordering page

Self-Solemnization in Colorado

Colorado is one of just a few states that lets couples marry themselves. This is called self-solemnization. Under C.R.S. 14-2-109, the parties to the marriage can sign the certificate as both the couple and the officiant. You do not need a judge or minister. You do not need any witnesses either. This makes it very easy to get married on your own terms.

Many couples choose this option for private weddings or elopements. You get your license from the county clerk. Then you have your ceremony wherever you like in Colorado. It can be on a mountain, at a park, or in your own home. Both of you sign the certificate at the place and time you choose. Write the date, time, and location of your ceremony on the form. In the officiant section, you both sign again and write "The Parties to the Marriage" as the title. That is all you need.

After your ceremony, you must return the completed certificate to the county clerk within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off in person. The clerk records it and sends you a certified copy. If you miss the 63-day deadline, you may have to pay a late fee of $20 plus $5 per day up to $50 total per the statute.

Colorado Marriage License Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a judge. No one under 16 can get married in Colorado since the law changed in 2019. Both people must have valid ID. Accepted forms include a U.S. driver license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. Some counties accept a birth certificate if you have no photo ID. Check with your county clerk to confirm what they take.

You need your social security number or the last four digits. If you do not have a social security number, you can sign an affidavit at the clerk office. This form states you do not have one. The clerk will have the form ready for you. You can also fill it out and get it notarized before your visit to save time.

If either of you was married before, you must prove that marriage ended. Bring a copy of your divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate of your former spouse. The clerk needs to see this document. A certified copy is best, but most counties accept a plain copy too. This rule applies even if your prior marriage was in another state or country.

You do not need to live in Colorado. No residency rule exists for marriage licenses here. You do not need witnesses for the application. The two of you are all that is required under C.R.S. 14-2-105.

Who Can Perform a Marriage Ceremony in Colorado

Many types of people can officiate your wedding. A judge of any court can do it. A court magistrate can too. Retired judges are also allowed. Public officials with the power to solemnize marriages can perform ceremonies. This includes some county clerks and elected officials. Religious leaders from any faith can marry you if their denomination recognizes them. Clergy do not need to register in Colorado.

Indian tribe officials recognized by their nation can also officiate. And of course, you can marry yourselves through self-solemnization as noted above. What you cannot do is have a friend or family member sign as the officiant unless they truly have legal authority. Simply getting ordained online may not be enough in some cases. Make sure your officiant has proper standing.

Using Your Colorado Marriage License

The license is valid for 35 days. You must have your ceremony within that time. If the 35 days pass, the license becomes void. You would need to apply again and pay another $30 fee. Plan your wedding date carefully. Your license works anywhere in Colorado. You can get it in Denver and marry in Aspen. You can get it in Boulder and marry in Colorado Springs. The county where you apply does not have to match the county where you wed.

The license cannot be used outside Colorado. If you want to marry in another state, you need a license from that state. Once your ceremony is done and the certificate is signed, you have 63 days to return it to the county that issued it. You can mail it, drop it in a drop box, or hand it in at the clerk office. Keep a copy for yourself before you send it back.

Colorado statute on self-solemnization of marriage

Marriage License Fees and Certified Copies

The license costs $30 in all 64 counties. This fee is set by state law. Some counties charge a small credit card processing fee if you pay by card. Cash and checks usually have no extra charge. You pay when you pick up the license. No refunds are given if you do not use the license.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $1.25 at the county level. The state charges $17 for the first copy and $10 for each extra copy in the same order. You can get copies from either the county clerk or the state vital records office. County copies are faster if you need them right away. State copies take longer but can be ordered online.

Proxy Marriage and Common Law Marriage

Proxy marriage is allowed in limited cases. One party must be a Colorado resident. The other party must be in the armed forces stationed abroad or a government contractor supporting military operations overseas. Both must be 18 or older. Self-solemnization is not allowed for proxy marriages. You need a real officiant for this type of wedding. Special forms are required, including an absentee affidavit and authorization for the proxy.

Colorado recognizes common law marriage. This means you can be legally married without a license or ceremony if you meet certain conditions. You must live together as a married couple. You must hold yourselves out to others as married. And you must intend to be married. If you want official proof of a common law marriage, you can apply for a regular marriage license and self-solemnize it. This creates a record with the county and state.

Common law marriages formed after September 1, 2006 have age restrictions per C.R.S. 14-2-109.5. Both parties must be 18 or older. Minors cannot enter common law marriages in Colorado anymore.

What Marriages Are Not Allowed

Certain marriages are prohibited under C.R.S. 14-2-110. You cannot marry if you are still married to someone else. Your prior marriage must be fully dissolved first. You cannot marry your parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. This includes half-blood relatives. Marriages between first cousins are allowed in Colorado. Step-relations and in-laws are also allowed in most cases.

Marriage License Offices Across Colorado

Adams County serves Brighton and Thornton residents at 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy in Brighton. Call them at 720-523-6020. Appointments are required. Arapahoe County has offices in Littleton and Centennial. The main office is at 5334 S. Prince St. in Littleton. Their phone is 303-795-4520. Boulder County uses a remote process with video appointments at 1750 33rd St. in Boulder. Reach them at 303-413-7770.

Denver County Clerk is at 200 W. 14th Ave. in Denver. Call 720-865-8400 for info. Douglas County is in Castle Rock at 301 Wilcox Street. Their number is 303-660-7446. El Paso County has four locations around Colorado Springs. The main office is at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road. They are the only county with Saturday hours at their north office from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 719-520-6200.

Jefferson County is in Golden at 100 Jefferson County Pkwy. Call 303-271-8186. Larimer County serves Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. The main office is at 200 W. Oak Street in Fort Collins. Phone is 970-498-7860. Every county has its own process and hours. Check the Secretary of State county clerk list for contact info.

Colorado county clerks contact information

Legal Help and Resources

The Colorado Clerks Association provides info for all county offices. Visit clerkandrecorder.org/allcounties for links to each county. The full text of Colorado marriage laws is in Title 14 Article 2 of the statutes. Read them online at colorado.public.law. The state legislature also publishes a PDF version.

For questions about vital records or certified copies, contact CDPHE Vital Records at 303-692-2234. Their mailing address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. They are open by appointment only, so call ahead if you plan to visit in person.