Search Arapahoe County Marriage License

Marriage license services in Arapahoe County require an appointment at the Clerk and Recorder office. Both people must attend together to apply for their license.

Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Offices

Arapahoe County runs two full-service marriage license offices. One is in Littleton at 5334 S. Prince St. The other is in Centennial. Both locations handle all steps of the process. You can apply for a license, get it issued, and record your completed certificate at either office. Choose the one that is most convenient for you.

All marriage license services in Arapahoe County are by appointment only due to high demand. Walk-ins are not accepted. Call 303-795-4520 or check the county website to schedule your appointment. Both people applying for the license must come to the appointment together. The county office hours changed on January 1, 2026. All locations are now open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Arapahoe County also has a recording division that handles returned marriage certificates. After your ceremony, you can return your signed certificate to any Arapahoe County office. The staff will record it and give you certified copies. There is no fee to record your certificate, but you must do it within 63 days of your wedding under C.R.S. 14-2-109 to avoid late charges.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Both people must show valid photo ID at the appointment in Arapahoe County. A driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID will work. Your ID must be current and not expired. Make sure your name on the ID matches the name you plan to use on the marriage license. If your ID shows a different name, you may need extra documents to prove your legal name.

You must know your Social Security number. The application only asks for the last four digits. If one of you does not have a Social Security number, you need to complete an affidavit at the appointment. This form explains why you do not have a number. The clerk staff can help you fill it out in Arapahoe County.

Be ready to provide information about your parents. The state form requires your mother's full maiden name and your father's full name. You also need their addresses if you know them. This is a Colorado state requirement under C.R.S. 14-2-105. If you do not have this information, tell the clerk staff and they will guide you through the process.

If either of you was married before, bring the date your previous marriage ended. This could be the date your divorce was final or the date your spouse died. You do not need to bring documents proving this, but you must list the date on your application. Arapahoe County cannot issue a new license until all prior marriages are legally ended.

The Application Process

When you arrive for your appointment in Arapahoe County, check in with the front desk. Staff will give you a marriage license application to complete. Fill out all fields. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, place of birth, and other basic information. It also asks about any prior marriages or civil unions. Do not skip any questions. If a field does not apply to you, write "none" or "N/A" instead of leaving it blank.

After you finish the form, the clerk will review it to make sure everything is correct. They will check your IDs and collect the $30 fee. Payment methods may include cash, check, or credit card. Confirm which forms of payment Arapahoe County accepts when you schedule your appointment. Once payment is processed, the clerk will print your marriage license. You will receive it that same day.

Your license is valid immediately. Colorado has no waiting period under C.R.S. 14-2-106. You can get married the same day you get your license if you choose. The license remains valid for 35 days from the date of issue. Plan your ceremony within that time frame or your license will expire and you will need to apply for a new one in Arapahoe County.

A marriage license issued in Arapahoe County can be used anywhere in Colorado. You are not limited to getting married in Arapahoe County just because that is where you got your license. Many people apply in one county and hold their ceremony in another. The license is valid statewide but not outside of Colorado under C.R.S. 14-2-107.

Self-Solemnization Option

Colorado law allows you to marry yourself without an officiant. This is called self-solemnization. C.R.S. 14-2-109 permits the two parties to a marriage to solemnize their own ceremony. You do not need a judge, clergy member, or any other third party. Just sign your certificate on the date and at the location of your choice, then return it to Arapahoe County for recording.

Self-solemnization is different from having a friend or relative act as your officiant. A friend cannot sign your certificate unless they are legally authorized to perform marriages in Colorado. That means they must be a judge, magistrate, or clergy recognized by a religious organization. If you want a friend to lead your ceremony, you must still self-solemnize and sign the certificate yourselves. Only authorized individuals can sign as officiants in Arapahoe County.

Witnesses are not required in Colorado. You can choose to have witnesses if you want them. Kids of any age can sign as witnesses. There is no minimum age for witnesses in Arapahoe County. Some families like to include children in the ceremony by having them sign the certificate. This is a personal choice and not a legal requirement.

Arapahoe County does not allow pet paw prints on marriage licenses. Some Colorado counties used to permit this, but Arapahoe County has discontinued the practice. If you want to include your pet in your ceremony, you can do so, but they cannot sign the official document.

Marriage License Fees

The fee for a marriage license in Arapahoe County is $30. This is a standard fee set by state law and applies to all 64 Colorado counties. Certified copies of your recorded marriage certificate cost $1.25 each. Most people order two or three copies when they record their certificate. This gives them extras for legal purposes like name changes or benefits enrollment.

Recording your completed certificate is free in Arapahoe County. After your ceremony, return the signed certificate to any Arapahoe County office. The recording division will process it and send you a certified copy once it is recorded. If you do not return the certificate within 63 days, 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 maximum of $50. Turn in your paperwork on time to avoid these extra costs.

Who Can Officiate Your Wedding

Several types of people can officiate a marriage in Arapahoe County. Judges and magistrates from the 18th Judicial District Court can perform civil ceremonies. The court is in Centennial and you can reach them at 303-645-6600. The Arapahoe County Court in Littleton also has judges who perform ceremonies. Call 303-798-4591 for information about scheduling a judicial ceremony.

Clergy members can officiate religious ceremonies in Arapahoe County. The clergy member must be recognized by the organization that ordained them. Colorado does not require clergy to register with the state. Out-of-state clergy can perform marriages here as long as they are ordained by a recognized religious body. Ask the clerk office if you have questions about whether a specific person qualifies as an officiant.

Active military service members and first responders with ID receive priority service at Arapahoe County offices. If you or your partner serves in the military or as a first responder, bring your ID to your appointment and let the staff know. They will do their best to accommodate you quickly.

Civil Unions in Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County also issues civil union licenses. A civil union is a legal relationship established under C.R.S. 14-15-104 that gives two people the same benefits and responsibilities as marriage. The process for getting a civil union license is the same as for a marriage license. Both people must appear in person, bring ID, and pay the $30 fee. Civil union certificates are recorded the same way as marriage certificates in Arapahoe County.

Age Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Arapahoe County without extra steps. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a juvenile court judge. Colorado does not allow parental consent as an alternative to judicial approval under C.R.S. 14-2-108. No one under age 16 can marry in Colorado. This law was passed in 2019 with HB19-1316.

To get a court order, file a petition with the juvenile court and attend a hearing. The judge will decide if marriage is in your best interest. Bring the signed court order to your appointment in Arapahoe County. Without it, the clerk cannot issue a license to anyone under 18.

Recording Your Marriage Certificate

After your ceremony, the person who performed it must complete the certificate section of your license. This includes the date, time, and location of the ceremony. If you self-solemnized, you fill out this section yourselves. Sign the certificate and return it to Arapahoe County within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off in person at any office location.

The recording division will process your certificate and enter it into the county system. Once recorded, your marriage is official and on file with the state. You can order certified copies at any time. Arapahoe County has an online document search system for records from February 1, 1996 to the present. For older records, you may need to visit the Littleton office in person or request copies by mail.

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

Absentee Applications and Proxy Marriages

If one person cannot attend the appointment in Arapahoe County, that person may complete an absentee affidavit. This is a notarized form that allows the other person to apply for the license alone. The absent person must have a valid reason, such as military deployment or work overseas. Bring the notarized affidavit to the appointment.

Colorado allows proxy marriages in limited situations under C.R.S. 14-2-109. 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 Arapahoe County.

Other Important Information

You do not need to be a Colorado resident to get a marriage license in Arapahoe County. Couples from other states and countries can apply 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 lack of a waiting period.

Colorado does not require blood tests for marriage. There is no waiting period after you get your license. You can use it right away. Plan to hold your ceremony within 35 days so your license does not expire.

Marriage licenses issued by other states are not valid in Colorado. If you got a license elsewhere, you cannot use it to get married here. You need a Colorado license for a Colorado ceremony. Once you are married and your certificate is recorded, all other states will recognize your marriage under C.R.S. 14-2-106.

Cities in Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County includes several major cities in the Denver metro area. All residents get their marriage license from the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder.

Other cities in Arapahoe County include Englewood, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, and Sheridan. All couples living in these areas apply for their marriage license at one of the two Arapahoe County office locations.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Arapahoe County. You can apply for a marriage license in any Colorado county.