Search Boulder Marriage License

Boulder marriage license services are handled by the Boulder County Recording Division, which offers a remote video appointment process for Colorado residents.

Boulder County Recording Division

Boulder residents apply for marriage licenses through Boulder County Recording Division at 1750 33rd St., Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301. Call (303) 413-7770 or fax (303) 413-7775 with questions about the marriage license process. The office operates Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Boulder County Recording Division is closed to the public for walk-in service. All marriage licenses are issued through a remote online process. This means you don't come to the office in person unless you're an out-of-state applicant who needs same-day pickup. The county uses video appointments to verify identification and process applications.

Video Appointment Process

Boulder County uses a remote process for marriage licenses under C.R.S. 14-2-106.5. Start by completing the online application at the Boulder County website. Once you submit the application, schedule a video appointment for ID verification. Spanish-speaking staff are available for appointments if needed.

Both parties must be present together in the same room during the video appointment. You must both be physically in Colorado at the time of the appointment. This is a state law requirement. Out-of-state applicants cannot use the video appointment option. They must appear in person for same-day pickup to ensure they're present in Colorado.

Download Microsoft Teams before your appointment. Boulder County uses Teams for video calls. Have your identification and payment ready. During the appointment, you'll show your IDs to the clerk via video. You'll then electronically sign the application. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

After the video appointment, Boulder County mails your marriage license to you via USPS. The county cannot mail licenses outside Colorado. If you're an out-of-state resident, you must pick up the license in person on the same day to confirm you're present in the state.

What You Need

Both applicants must have valid photo ID. Acceptable IDs include U.S. driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID. You'll show these to the clerk during your video appointment. Make sure your ID is current and not expired.

You need your Social Security Number or at least the last four digits. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you'll complete an affidavit during the application process. The application also requires information about your parents, including their full names and addresses if known. This is mandated by C.R.S. 14-2-105.

If either party was married before, provide details about your divorce or former spouse's death. Include the date, court name, and location. All previous marriages must be legally ended before you can apply for a new license.

The license costs $30. Boulder County accepts e-check and credit cards. Credit card payments include a fee of $0.75 plus 2.26 percent of the total. Payment is processed during your video appointment.

Self-Solemnization Instructions

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-109 allows couples to marry themselves. Boulder County provides specific instructions for self-solemnization when you receive your license. The process is simple and doesn't require an officiant.

On your wedding day, complete the marriage certificate section of your license. Enter the Colorado county where the ceremony is taking place. Write the day, month, year, time, and location of your ceremony. Both parties sign in the "Officiating Party" section. Write "The Parties to the Marriage" as the title. Both parties also sign in the party signature areas. Make sure your signatures match your identification.

Witness signatures are not required in Colorado. You can include witnesses if you want, but it's optional. Boulder County is one of the counties that still allows pet paw prints on marriage licenses. If you want your dog or cat to be part of your official record, you can include their paw print in the witness section.

Religious and Civil Ceremonies

If you prefer a traditional ceremony, you can have clergy from any recognized religious denomination or Indian nation perform your marriage. Out-of-state clergy don't need to register in Colorado. They just need valid credentials from their religious organization.

Civil ceremonies are performed by judges, magistrates, retired judges, or other authorized public officials. Contact Boulder County Court for information about judicial ceremonies. Friends and relatives cannot act as officiants unless they're legally authorized by a religious body or government. Getting ordained online doesn't automatically grant authority to solemnize marriages in Colorado.

Using Your License

Marriage licenses in Colorado are valid for 35 days from the date of issue, per C.R.S. 14-2-107. Your ceremony must occur within this timeframe. The license works anywhere in Colorado. You can get married in Boulder, another Colorado city, or any location within the state.

If you don't use your license within 35 days, it becomes void. Boulder County recommends getting your license 2 to 3 weeks before your ceremony date. This gives you time to receive it by mail and plan your ceremony. Blood tests are not required in Colorado. No waiting period applies, so you can marry as soon as you receive your license.

Returning Your Completed License

After your ceremony, the completed license must be returned to Boulder County Recording office to be considered valid. You have 63 days from the ceremony date to return it. You can mail it to 1750 33rd St., Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301. You can also use one of Boulder County's 24-hour drop boxes at three locations: 1750 33rd St. in Boulder (parking lot side), 1755 S. Public Road in Lafayette (slot on exterior wall), or 529 Coffman St. in Longmont.

Late returns result in fees. The minimum is $20, plus $5 per day up to a maximum of $50. These penalties are set by C.R.S. 14-2-109 and apply statewide.

Once Boulder County records your license, you can order certified copies. The county charges 25 cents per page for regular copies and $1 per document for certification. Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like name changes and insurance updates.

Proxy Marriage Option

Colorado allows proxy marriage in limited circumstances. One party must be a Colorado resident. One party must be an armed forces member stationed abroad or a government contractor supporting military operations. Both parties must be 18 or older. Self-solemnization is not allowed for proxy marriages.

Required forms for proxy marriage include an Absentee Application, Sworn Statement Affidavit, and Authorization of Proxy Marriage. If you need an absentee affidavit, you cannot complete the process remotely. Contact Boulder County at (303) 413-7770 for details about in-person proxy marriage procedures.

Who Can Get Married

You must be 18 years old to marry without restrictions. Those 16 or 17 need a juvenile court order, which requires a formal hearing and is rarely granted. Colorado prohibits marriage for anyone under 16 as of HB19-1316. Parental consent doesn't work for minors.

Residency is not required for most applicants. Colorado residents can apply through the video appointment process. Out-of-state applicants must appear in person for same-day pickup to confirm they're physically in Colorado. The license is valid only for Colorado ceremonies.

You cannot be currently married. All previous marriages must be ended through divorce, annulment, or death. You cannot marry close relatives per C.R.S. 14-2-110. First cousins can marry in Colorado.

Additional Information

Visit bouldercounty.gov for the online application, appointment scheduling, and detailed instructions. The website includes FAQs about the remote process, self-solemnization, and recording requirements. You can also call (303) 413-7770 during business hours with questions.

For legal help with family law matters, contact Colorado Legal Services. They provide free or low-cost assistance to qualifying residents. The Colorado Bar Association offers lawyer referral services if you need to hire a private attorney.