Access Greeley Marriage License

Couples in Greeley apply for a marriage license through Weld County. The office that handles these applications sits in the county seat, where staff process licenses following state rules set out in Colorado law.

Where Greeley Residents Get a License

If you live in Greeley, you go through Weld County to get your license. The county uses the same rules found across all of Colorado. Both people must be at least eighteen years old under C.R.S. 14-2-108. Anyone younger needs a court order before the clerk can issue anything. The license costs thirty dollars, paid at the time you apply. Payment methods vary by office, so check with staff when you call.

The license becomes valid right away. Use it anywhere in the state within thirty-five days from the date of issue. That time limit comes from C.R.S. 14-2-107, which says all licenses expire after thirty-five days no matter what. A few people think they can renew the same license. They cannot. If it expires, you start over and pay the full fee again.

Most Greeley couples pick up the license in person. The Weld County Clerk and Recorder office sits in the main county building. Both applicants show ID and answer questions on the application form. The clerk types your answers into the state database. You walk out that day with your license in hand unless there is some legal issue that needs clearing up first.

How the Application Works

Walk into the clerk office with your partner. Bring ID for both of you. State-issued driver licenses work best, but staff also accept passports, military IDs, or any government photo ID that shows your full name and birth date. Some offices do not take Colorado IDs with a black strip that says "Not valid for federal identification." Bring a different ID if that is all you have.

You fill out a state form that asks basic information. First and last name, date of birth, place of birth, current address. It wants your parents' full names too, even if you do not know them or have not spoken to them in years. C.R.S. 14-2-105 requires this information as part of the vital records system. If a parent is unknown, you can say that on the form. The clerk cannot skip the field altogether.

The form asks for the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have a number, bring an affidavit that explains why. This form must be signed and notarized. Some clerks let you sign it in front of them instead of going to a notary. Check with the office before your appointment if one of you lacks a Social Security number. Getting the affidavit wrong can delay your application by days or even weeks.

The application also covers past marriages. If either person was married before, write down the date of the divorce or the date the spouse died. You do not have to bring a divorce decree to prove it. The state just needs the information recorded. All previous marriages must be legally ended before the clerk will issue a new license. This rule exists to prevent bigamy, which is still a crime in Colorado even though few cases ever reach court.

Getting the Certificate Back to the County

Once you hold the ceremony, someone has to complete the certificate portion of the license. This is the part that makes the marriage official in state records. The person who officiates signs it, or you sign it yourselves if you did a self-solemnization. Self-solemnization is a unique Colorado feature. Under C.R.S. 14-2-109, couples can marry themselves without needing a judge, minister, or any other third party. You just fill out the certificate, sign your names, and return it to the county within sixty-three days of the ceremony.

Weld County must receive the completed certificate within that sixty-three-day window. If it arrives late, the county charges a twenty-dollar fee right away. Then they add five dollars for each extra day up to a total of fifty dollars. These late fees add up fast. Some people miss the deadline because they go on a long honeymoon or forget to mail the paperwork. Others think the officiant handles everything and never follow up to make sure it got filed. Check that the county has it on record before you assume the job is done.

The county records the certificate and mails you a certified copy. This copy serves as proof of marriage for name changes, insurance, taxes, and any other legal purpose. You can order more copies anytime. The county charges a small fee, usually a dollar or two per copy. Keep several certified copies in a safe place so you do not have to order them later when you need one in a hurry.

Rules That Apply in Greeley

Colorado does not have a waiting period. You can use the license the same day you receive it. You do not need a blood test either. Those requirements went away decades ago and have never come back. There is also no residency requirement. You can live in another state and still get a Colorado license as long as you plan to have the ceremony somewhere in this state.

Witnesses are optional. C.R.S. 14-2-109 does not require them. Some couples want witnesses for personal or religious reasons. If you choose to have them, they can be any age. There are no restrictions. A few people try to use pet paw prints as witness signatures. Most counties no longer allow that practice because it jams their scanning machines.

Common law marriage is recognized in Colorado. This means you can be legally married without ever getting a license or holding a ceremony. But there is no easy way to prove a common law marriage exists. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment does not issue certificates for common law marriages. If you want legal documentation, go through the formal license process even if you have been living together for years.

• No waiting period after you apply
• No blood test needed
• No residency requirement
• Both people must appear in person unless using an absentee affidavit
• Witnesses are optional
• License valid only in Colorado

Where to Find More Help

The Weld County Clerk and Recorder office can answer specific questions about your application. Call during business hours to speak with staff. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what documents to bring and how long the process takes. If you have complex legal issues like a court-ordered name change or questions about a foreign birth certificate, talk to a family law attorney before you apply. The clerk staff will turn you away if your paperwork is not in order, and you will have to come back another day.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps all vital records for the state. You can order certified copies of your marriage certificate through their office if you lose the ones the county sent. They charge more than the county does, so order copies from Weld County first. CDPHE takes about thirty business days to process online orders. If you need a copy in a hurry, go to the county office in person and ask for same-day service. They usually can print copies while you wait.

For questions about changing your name after marriage, contact the Social Security Administration and the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. Each agency has its own process. Social Security must update your name before you can change it on your driver license. Bring your certified marriage certificate to both offices. Some people also need to update their name with banks, employers, and insurance companies. Make a list and work through it one step at a time so you do not miss anything important.

Nearby Colorado Cities

Other cities in the region also direct residents to their county clerk offices:

• Fort Collins
• Loveland
• Longmont
• Boulder
• Thornton
• Westminster
• Arvada
• Brighton