Access Pueblo Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Pueblo are issued by the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder office, serving Pueblo and surrounding communities.

Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder

Pueblo residents apply for marriage licenses at the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder office. Call (719) 583-6507 for current hours, location, and appointment availability. The office handles all marriage license applications for Pueblo County, which includes the city of Pueblo and surrounding areas.

Both applicants must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. Colorado law requires both parties to show up together, sign the application, and show identification. You cannot apply by mail or online only. While some counties offer video appointments for Colorado residents under C.R.S. 14-2-106.5, you must contact Pueblo County directly to see if they offer this option.

What You Need to Apply

Bring valid photo identification. Acceptable IDs include a current U.S. driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID. Your original or certified birth certificate can also serve as identification. Make sure your ID is not expired. Some Colorado driver's licenses have a black strip that says "Not valid for federal identification." Call the clerk's office ahead of time if you have this type of license to confirm they'll accept it.

You'll need to provide your Social Security Number or at least the last four digits. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you must complete an affidavit stating why. The clerk's office will have this form available when you apply. The affidavit must be signed in front of a notary or the deputy county clerk.

The application requires information about your parents under C.R.S. 14-2-105. You must list their full names and addresses if known. If you've been married before, bring details about your divorce or your former spouse's death. Include the exact date of divorce, the name of the court that granted it, and the city and state where that court is located. All previous marriages must be legally ended before you can apply for a new license.

The marriage license costs $30. Pueblo County accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Check with the office about any credit card processing fees. Your license is issued the same day you apply and is valid immediately. Colorado has no waiting period, so you can get married as soon as you receive your license.

How to Get Married in Pueblo

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-109 allows three types of marriage ceremonies. You can have a religious ceremony performed by clergy from any recognized denomination or Indian nation. You can have a civil ceremony performed by a judge, magistrate, retired judge, or other authorized public official. Or you can self-solemnize, which means you marry yourselves without an officiant.

Self-solemnization is one of Colorado's unique features. Most states require an officiant, but Colorado lets couples perform their own ceremony. To self-solemnize, both parties sign the marriage certificate in the officiant section. Write "The Parties to the Marriage" as the title. Include the date, time, location, and county where the ceremony took place. Both parties must also sign in the party signature sections.

Witnesses are not required by Colorado law. If you choose to have witnesses, there's no age restriction. Children can sign as witnesses if you want them to be part of your ceremony. The witness section is optional since Colorado doesn't require witness signatures for a valid marriage.

Friends and relatives cannot act as officiants unless they're legally authorized to perform marriages in Colorado. Simply getting ordained online does not automatically grant someone the authority to solemnize marriages here. The person must be recognized by a religious denomination, Indian nation, or tribe, or hold a position like judge or magistrate. Out-of-state clergy don't need to register in Colorado, but they must have legitimate credentials from their religious organization.

License Validity Period

Your marriage license is valid for 35 days from the date of issue, as set by C.R.S. 14-2-107. You must have your ceremony within this timeframe. The license you receive from Pueblo County works anywhere in Colorado. You can get married in Pueblo, another Colorado city, or anywhere else in the state.

If you don't use your license within 35 days, it becomes void. You must return it to the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder for cancellation. You won't receive a refund of the $30 fee. If you still want to marry after the license expires, you'll need to apply for a new license and pay the fee again.

Colorado marriage licenses are only valid for ceremonies performed in Colorado. If you're planning to marry in another state, you must obtain a license from that state. Once your Colorado marriage is recorded, all other states will recognize it under full faith and credit provisions. But you cannot use a Colorado license for a ceremony outside the state.

After Your Ceremony

The person who performs your ceremony must complete the marriage certificate portion of the license. If you self-solemnized, you complete this section yourselves. The certificate must include the date, time, and location of the ceremony, plus the county where it took place. Both parties sign in the designated areas. The officiant signs and provides their title.

The completed license must be returned to the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days after the ceremony. Anyone can return it for you. You don't have to deliver it in person. You can mail it to the clerk's office or drop it off during business hours. Call (719) 583-6507 to confirm the mailing address and drop-off hours.

If you're late returning the license, you'll face penalties. The minimum late fee is $20. An additional $5 per day is assessed for each day of delay up to a maximum total fee of $50. These late fees are set by C.R.S. 14-2-109 and apply statewide, not just in Pueblo County.

Once the license is recorded, you can order certified copies from the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder. Certified copies typically cost $1.25 at the county level, though you should confirm the current fee when you apply. You'll need certified copies for legal purposes like name changes, updating insurance policies, and filing taxes.

Who Can Get Married

Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without restrictions. Those who are 16 or 17 years old can marry only with a juvenile court order. Getting a court order requires a formal hearing before a judge, and courts rarely grant these orders. Colorado eliminated parental consent as an option for minors when HB19-1316 became law in 2019. The same law prohibits marriage for anyone under 16 years old under any circumstances.

You don't need to be a Colorado resident to get a marriage license in Pueblo. Pueblo residents, other Colorado residents, and out-of-state couples can all apply. The license is valid only for ceremonies performed in Colorado. If you live in another state but want to get married in Pueblo, you can obtain your license here and use it anywhere in Colorado.

Both parties must be legally free to marry. You cannot apply if you're currently married to someone else. All previous marriages must be legally ended through divorce, annulment, or death of the spouse. Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-110 prohibits certain marriages between relatives. You cannot marry an ancestor, descendant, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. Marriage between first cousins is legal in Colorado.

Getting Copies from the State

In addition to getting certified copies from Pueblo County, you can also order them from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Records Section. State copies cost $17 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Normal processing time for online orders is 30 business days from the date received.

You can order online through www.vitalchek.com or by calling (866) 632-2604. You must prove your relationship or direct and tangible interest in the record. Acceptable proof includes being one of the parties to the marriage, a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative. All vital record requests must be accompanied by proof of identification.

Common Law Marriage

Colorado recognizes common law marriage. A common law marriage exists when a couple presents themselves and is acknowledged as married even though they never had a ceremony or obtained a marriage license. Official verification of a common law marriage is not available from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or county clerk offices.

If you're in a common law relationship and want official documentation, you can apply for a regular marriage license and then self-solemnize it. This creates an official marriage record with a specific date. For more information about common law marriage requirements and legal implications, consult the Colorado Attorney General's website or contact a family law attorney.

Additional Information

Contact the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder at (719) 583-6507 for current information about office hours, location, appointment requirements, and any special procedures. The staff can answer questions about identification requirements, fees, and the application process.

For legal assistance with family law matters, contact Colorado Legal Services. They provide free or reduced-fee help to qualifying residents. The Colorado Bar Association offers lawyer referral services if you need to hire a private attorney for advice about marriage laws or related legal issues.