Alamosa County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Alamosa County come from the Clerk and Recorder office in the city of Alamosa, the county seat.

Where to Get Your Marriage License

Alamosa County is in south-central Colorado in the San Luis Valley. The county seat is the city of Alamosa. To get a marriage license here, both people must go to the Clerk and Recorder office together. This office handles all marriage licenses for Alamosa County. Bring your ID, know your Social Security number, and be ready to pay the $30 fee.

Colorado law requires that both people appear in person to apply for a marriage license. You cannot mail in an application or have one person come alone unless there is a valid reason for an absentee affidavit. Most couples in Alamosa County can get their license on the same day they apply. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes if you have all your information ready. Call ahead to ask about current office hours and any appointment requirements in Alamosa County.

What You Need to Apply

Both people must bring current identification to the clerk office in Alamosa County. A state driver license works. So does a passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. Make sure your ID is not expired. Some Colorado driver licenses have a note that says "Not valid for federal identification." These may not be accepted in all counties, so bring a backup form of ID if yours has that stamp.

You need your Social Security number. The form only asks for the last four digits. If one of you does not have a Social Security number, you must sign an affidavit explaining why. This form can be filled out at the office or notarized ahead of time in Alamosa County.

The application asks about your parents. You must list your mother's full maiden name and your father's full name. Include their addresses if you know them. This is a state requirement under C.R.S. 14-2-105 and applies to all Colorado counties. If you do not know this information, you may need to explain why on the form.

If either of you was married before, bring details about how that marriage ended. List the date your divorce was final or the date your spouse died. You do not need to bring the divorce decree or death certificate to Alamosa County, but the date must be on the application. The clerk cannot issue a license if you are still legally married to someone else.

How the Process Works in Alamosa County

Both people come to the Alamosa County Clerk and Recorder office at the same time. Bring your IDs and payment. The staff will give you a marriage license application to fill out. This form asks for basic information like your name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. It also asks about your parents and any past marriages. Fill out every field. If you skip something, the clerk may send you back to finish it.

Once the form is done, the staff will review it and make sure everything is correct. They will collect your $30 fee. You can usually pay by cash, check, or card, but call ahead to confirm which payment methods Alamosa County accepts. The clerk will print your marriage license on the spot. You walk out with it the same day in most cases.

Your license is valid right away. Colorado has no waiting period. You can get married the same day you get your license if you want. The license stays good for 35 days under C.R.S. 14-2-107. After 35 days, it expires and you must apply for a new one in Alamosa County.

After your ceremony, the person who performed it must sign the certificate section of your license. That person could be a judge, a clergy member, or even you if you self-solemnize. Once the certificate is signed, return it to Alamosa County within 63 days. The clerk will record it and give you a certified copy. This is your legal proof of marriage.

Self-Solemnization in Alamosa County

Colorado lets you marry yourself. This is called self-solemnization. C.R.S. 14-2-109 says the two parties to a marriage can solemnize their own ceremony. You do not need a judge, minister, or any other officiant. Just get your license from Alamosa County, hold your own ceremony wherever you like in Colorado, and sign the certificate yourselves. Then return the signed certificate to the clerk office.

Self-solemnization does not mean a friend or family member can sign as your officiant. Only the two people getting married can sign if you choose this option. If you want someone else to perform the ceremony, that person must be a judge, magistrate, or ordained clergy recognized in Colorado. A friend who got ordained online may or may not be accepted depending on the organization that ordained them in Alamosa County.

Witnesses are not required for marriage in Colorado. You can have witnesses if you want, and kids can sign as witnesses. There is no age limit on who can witness a wedding. Some couples include their children or other family members. Others keep it private with just the two of them. Both options are fine under Colorado law in Alamosa County.

Costs and Fees

The marriage license fee is $30 in Alamosa County. This is a statewide fee set by Colorado law. All 64 counties charge the same amount. Certified copies of your recorded marriage certificate cost $1.25 each. Most people get two or three copies when they record their certificate so they have extras for legal purposes.

If you do not return your signed certificate within 63 days after your ceremony, you will owe a late fee. The minimum late fee is $20 under C.R.S. 14-2-109. After that, the county can charge $5 per day up to a total of $50. Get your paperwork back to Alamosa County on time to avoid these extra charges.

Age Requirements and Restrictions

You must be 18 years old to get a marriage license in Alamosa County without extra steps. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a judge. There is no parental consent option in Colorado. You must go to juvenile court and get judicial approval. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado under any circumstance. This rule was set by state law in 2019 with the passage of HB19-1316.

Both people must be legally free to marry. If you are still married to someone else, Alamosa County cannot issue you a new license. All prior marriages must be ended by divorce or death before you can apply. You also cannot marry a close blood relative. Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-110 prohibits marriage between parents and children, siblings, aunts and nephews, or uncles and nieces. Marriage between cousins is allowed in Colorado.

Where You Can Use Your License

An Alamosa County marriage license can be used anywhere in Colorado. You do not have to get married in Alamosa County just because that is where you got your license. Many people get their license in one county and hold their ceremony in another. The license is valid statewide under C.R.S. 14-2-107. It is not valid outside of Colorado. If you plan to marry in another state or country, you need a license from that place.

You do not have to be a Colorado resident to get a license here. Couples from other states and other countries can apply for a marriage license in Alamosa County as long as both people show up in person with valid ID. Many people choose Colorado for destination weddings because of the self-solemnization option and the beautiful mountain locations.

Recording Your Marriage Certificate

After your ceremony, the completed certificate must be returned to Alamosa County. You can mail it or drop it off in person. The clerk office will record it in their system. Once it is recorded, your marriage is official and on file with the state. You can order certified copies at any time after that. Most people get at least two copies for their records.

If you lose your certificate before you record it, contact the Alamosa County Clerk office. They may be able to issue a replacement or you may need to apply for a new license. Do not wait too long or your 63-day deadline will pass and you will owe late fees.

Recorded marriage certificates are public records in Colorado. Anyone can request a copy from the county where the marriage was recorded. If you need a copy years later, contact Alamosa County or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state vital records office has marriage records from all counties and can issue certified copies for a fee of $17.

Absentee and Proxy Marriages

If one person cannot come to the appointment in Alamosa County, that person may complete an absentee affidavit. This is a notarized form that allows the other person to apply alone. The absent person must have a valid reason, such as being deployed in the military or working overseas. The affidavit must be notarized and brought to the appointment by the person who is present.

Colorado also allows proxy marriages in limited situations. One party must be a Colorado resident. The other party must be in the armed forces stationed abroad or working as a government contractor supporting military operations. Both people must be 18 or older. Self-solemnization is not allowed for proxy marriages. You must have an authorized officiant perform the ceremony for a proxy marriage in Alamosa County.

More Information

The Alamosa County Clerk and Recorder can answer questions about marriage licenses. Call or visit their office for current hours and any new policies. Some offices require appointments, especially during busy seasons. Check ahead to avoid a wasted trip.

Colorado does not require blood tests for marriage. There is no waiting period after you get your license. You can use your license immediately. Most couples schedule their ceremony within a few weeks of getting the license to stay well within the 35-day validity period in Alamosa County.

If you need help with wedding planning or finding an officiant, ask the clerk office if they have a list of local resources. Some counties keep a list of judges and magistrates who perform civil ceremonies for a fee. For religious ceremonies, contact a church or religious organization of your choice in Alamosa County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Alamosa County. You can get a marriage license in any Colorado county, no matter where you live.