Search Denver Marriage License

Denver marriage licenses are obtained through the Denver Clerk and Recorder office, which serves as both city and county clerk for the consolidated City and County of Denver.

Denver County Clerk and Recorder

Denver operates as a consolidated city and county, which means the Denver Clerk and Recorder handles both city and county functions. This office issues marriage licenses for all Denver residents and anyone who wishes to get married in Colorado. The office is located at 200 W. 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204. You can also mail documents to 201 W. Colfax Ave, Dept 101, Denver, CO 80202.

The Recording Division opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license, though Colorado residents may qualify for remote video appointments under C.R.S. 14-2-106.5. The office processes applications the same day, and you can use your license immediately after it's issued.

What You Need to Apply

Both parties must bring valid photo identification to the clerk's office. Acceptable forms of ID include a current U.S. driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID. Colorado driver's licenses with a black strip that says "Not valid for federal identification" may not be accepted at some locations, so check with the Denver office if you have this type of license.

You'll need to provide your Social Security Number or the last four digits. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you must complete an affidavit stating why you don't have one. The clerk's office can provide this form, or you may be able to download it from the county website. You'll also need to know your place of birth, including city and state. If you were born outside the United States, you'll need your country of birth and possibly a translated birth certificate.

The application asks for information about your parents. You must list their full names and addresses if known. If you've been married before, you'll need to provide details about the end of that marriage. This includes the date of divorce or death, the court that granted the divorce, and the city and state where the court is located. Colorado law requires this information under C.R.S. 14-2-105 to ensure no one applies for a marriage license while still legally married to someone else.

Fees and Timeline

The marriage license costs $30. Denver accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. If you pay by credit card, there may be a processing fee.

Your license is valid for 35 days from the date it's issued, per C.R.S. 14-2-107. This means you must have your ceremony within 35 days. Colorado has no waiting period, so you can get married the same day you receive your license. After the ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the Denver Clerk and Recorder within 63 days. If you're late returning it, you may face a $20 fee plus $5 for each additional day up to a maximum of $50.

How to Get Married

Colorado offers three ways to solemnize a marriage under C.R.S. 14-2-109. You can have a religious ceremony with a clergy member from any recognized denomination. You can have a civil ceremony performed by a judge, magistrate, retired judge, or authorized public official. Or you can self-solemnize, which means you marry yourselves without an officiant.

Self-solemnization is unique to Colorado and a few other states. In a self-solemnization ceremony, both parties sign the marriage certificate in the "officiant" section. No third party is required. You don't need witnesses, though you can include them if you want. Friends and family cannot act as officiants unless they are legally authorized to perform marriages in Colorado. Simply being ordained online doesn't automatically grant that authority in Colorado.

Denver County Court offers judicial ceremonies for couples who want a judge to perform their marriage. Contact the court at the address listed on the Denver County Court website to arrange this service. Some judges perform ceremonies during regular business hours, while others may offer weekend or evening appointments for an additional fee.

Applying for Your License

You can start the application process online through the Denver Clerk and Recorder website at www.denverclerkandrecorder.org. The online system lets you fill out the application in advance, which saves time when you visit the office. However, both parties still must appear in person to show identification and sign the application. Colorado residents may qualify for a video appointment if both parties are in Colorado at the time of the application.

When you arrive at the clerk's office, bring your identification and any required documents. The clerk will review your application, verify your IDs, and collect the $30 fee. You'll sign the application in front of the clerk. The entire process takes about 20 to 30 minutes if you've completed the application in advance. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may experience longer wait times during busy periods such as lunch hours or late afternoons.

Recording Your Marriage

After your ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage certificate portion of the license. If you self-solemnized, you complete this section yourselves. The certificate must include the date and location of the ceremony, the county where it took place, and signatures from both parties. The officiant also signs and provides their title. Witnesses are not required in Colorado, though you can have them sign if you wish.

The completed license must be returned to the Denver Clerk and Recorder within 63 days after your ceremony. You can mail it to 201 W. Colfax Ave, Dept 101, Denver, CO 80202, or drop it off in person at 200 W. 14th Ave. The clerk's office records the license and creates an official marriage record. Once recorded, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. Certified copies cost $1.25 each at the county level or $17.00 from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Denver no longer allows pet paw prints on marriage licenses. If this is important to you, consider applying in a county that still permits it, such as Boulder or Larimer County. The license you obtain from any Colorado county is valid for ceremonies anywhere in the state.

Who Can Get Married in Denver

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Colorado law changed in 2019 with HB19-1316, which prohibits marriage for anyone under 16. Those who are 16 or 17 years old may marry only with a court order from a juvenile court judge. Parental consent is not sufficient. Courts rarely grant these orders, and the process requires a formal hearing.

You don't need to be a Colorado resident to get a marriage license in Denver. Out-of-state couples can apply here and use the license anywhere in Colorado. However, the license is only valid for ceremonies in Colorado. If you plan to marry in another state, you must obtain a license from that state.

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-110 prohibits certain marriages. You cannot marry if you're already married to someone else. All previous marriages must be legally dissolved through divorce or annulment, or the previous spouse must be deceased. You cannot marry a direct ancestor or descendant, a sibling, an aunt or uncle, or a niece or nephew. Marriage between cousins is permitted in Colorado.

Finding Old Marriage Records

Denver has unique historical marriage records housed at the Denver Public Library. Marriage license applications from 1903 to 2003 are available in the Denver Public Library Archives. Applications from 1941 to 2003 are restricted under Colorado state law C.R.S. 24-72 and require proof of direct interest to access. Earlier records may be open to the public for genealogical research.

For marriage certificates recorded after 2003, contact the Denver Clerk and Recorder. The office maintains all recent records and can provide certified copies. If you need a certified copy of a marriage that occurred in Denver but was licensed in another county, you must return to the county that issued the license. That county's clerk office retains the official record.

Additional Resources

The Denver Clerk and Recorder website at www.denvergov.org provides forms, FAQs, and contact information. You can search for recorded documents online, though marriage applications remain confidential. For questions about the marriage license process, call (720) 865-8400 during business hours. Staff can answer questions about ID requirements, fees, and appointment availability.

If you need legal advice about marriage laws or divorce, contact the Colorado Legal Services organization. They provide free or low-cost assistance to eligible residents. The Colorado Bar Association also offers a lawyer referral service if you need to hire an attorney.