Find Marriage License in Westminster

Two County Options

Westminster is primarily in Adams County with portions in Jefferson County. You can apply at either county clerk's office. The license you get from one county works throughout Colorado, so pick whichever office is more convenient or offers the services you prefer.

Adams County is at 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy, 1st Floor, Suite E2400, Brighton, CO 80601-8203. Call (720) 523-6020. This office requires appointments with strict enforcement. You must complete an online application first at recording.adcogov.org, which generates a 7-digit order number. Use that number to schedule your appointment at adamscounty.qmatic.io/booking. Book 2-3 weeks ahead because appointments fill up fast.

Jefferson County is at 100 Jefferson County Pkwy, Suite 2560, Golden, CO 80401. Call (303) 271-8186. This office allows both appointments and drop-ins. Appointments are available 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Drop-ins are welcome 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the same days. Choose drop-in service if your schedule is flexible and you don't mind a potential wait.

Application Requirements

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office. Bring valid photo ID such as a U.S. driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID. Your original or certified birth certificate also works as identification. Some Colorado driver's licenses have a black strip saying "Not valid for federal identification." These may not be accepted at all locations, so call ahead if yours has this marking.

You'll 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 explaining why. Both counties have this form available, or you can download it in advance from their websites.

The application requires parents' full names and addresses under C.R.S. 14-2-105. This is a state law requirement, not a county policy. If you were married before, bring details about your divorce, including the exact date, the court that granted it, and the city and state where that court is located.

The license costs $30 at both counties. Adams County and Jefferson County accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Your license is issued the same day and valid immediately. Colorado has no waiting period, so you can get married as soon as you leave the office.

Performing Your Own Ceremony

Colorado is one of a few states that allows self-solemnization under C.R.S. 14-2-109. You and your partner can marry yourselves without an officiant. No third party is required. This makes Colorado popular for elopements and intimate weddings.

To self-solemnize, both parties sign the marriage certificate in the officiant section. Write "The Parties to the Marriage" as the title. Complete the date, time, location, and county where the ceremony took place. Both parties must also sign in the party signature lines.

Witnesses are optional in Colorado. State law doesn't require them. If you want witnesses, there's no age restriction. Kids can sign as witnesses if you'd like to include them in your ceremony. The witness section is symbolic since Colorado doesn't mandate witness signatures for a valid marriage.

Religious and Civil Ceremonies

If you prefer a traditional ceremony, you can have a religious officiant perform your marriage. Clergy from any recognized denomination or Indian nation can solemnize marriages in Colorado. Out-of-state clergy don't need to register here, but they must have legitimate credentials from their religious organization.

Civil ceremonies are performed by judges, magistrates, retired judges, or other authorized public officials. Contact your local county court to arrange a judicial ceremony. Some judges perform marriages during business hours, while others offer weekend or evening appointments for a fee.

Friends and relatives cannot act as officiants unless they're legally authorized by a religious body or government. Simply getting ordained online doesn't automatically grant the authority to solemnize marriages in Colorado. The person must hold a recognized position like pastor, minister, judge, or magistrate.

How Long Your License Lasts

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 works anywhere in Colorado regardless of which county issued it. You can get married in Westminster, another Colorado city, or a remote mountain location.

If you don't use the license within 35 days, it becomes void. Return it to the county that issued it for cancellation. You won't get a refund of the $30 fee. If you still want to marry after the license expires, you must apply for a new one.

Colorado 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. Other states will recognize your Colorado marriage once it's recorded, but you cannot use a Colorado license for an out-of-state ceremony.

Recording After Your Ceremony

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 show the date, time, location, and county of the ceremony. Both parties sign, and the officiant signs and provides their title.

The completed license must be returned to the county that issued it within 63 days. For Adams County, mail to 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy, Suite E2400, Brighton, CO 80601-8203, or drop it off during office hours. For Jefferson County, mail to 100 Jefferson County Pkwy, Suite 2560, Golden, CO 80401, or hand deliver during business hours.

Late returns result in penalties. The minimum late fee is $20, plus $5 for each additional day up to a maximum of $50. These fees apply statewide per C.R.S. 14-2-109.

Getting Certified Copies

Once your marriage is recorded, you can order certified copies from the county clerk's office. Adams County charges $1.25 per certified copy. Jefferson County charges $1 per document for certification. You'll need certified copies for legal purposes like name changes, insurance updates, and tax filings.

You can also order certified copies from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Records Section. State copies cost $17 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered at the same time. Normal processing time is 30 business days for online orders. Order through www.vitalchek.com or call (866) 632-2604.

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, which requires a formal hearing. Courts rarely grant these orders. Colorado law prohibits marriage for anyone under 16, as established by HB19-1316 in 2019. Parental consent is not an option for minors.

You don't need to be a Colorado resident to get a marriage license here. Westminster residents, other Colorado residents, and out-of-state couples can all apply at either Adams or Jefferson County. The license is valid only for Colorado ceremonies, but once recorded, all other states will recognize your marriage.

You cannot be 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 marriages between close relatives including ancestors, descendants, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Marriage between first cousins is legal in Colorado.

Which County to Choose

Jefferson County works well if you value flexibility. The drop-in option means you don't need to plan weeks ahead. You can show up when it's convenient for you. The Golden location is also closer to Westminster than Brighton, which saves travel time.

Adams County suits couples who prefer structured appointments and don't mind planning ahead. Their online application system streamlines the in-office process. However, appointments fill up 2-3 weeks in advance, so you must plan accordingly. The Brighton location is farther from Westminster but may work better if you live in the eastern part of the city.

Both counties charge the same $30 fee and follow identical state requirements. The license you receive from either county works throughout Colorado. Your choice depends on whether you want appointment flexibility or a scheduled time slot.

Additional Help

For Jefferson County information, visit www.jeffco.us or call (303) 271-8186. For Adams County information, visit adamscountyco.gov or call (720) 523-6020.

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