Bent County Marriage License Search

Marriage licenses in Bent County are handled by the Clerk and Recorder office in Las Animas, the county seat.

Getting Your Marriage License in Bent County

Bent County is located in southeast Colorado along the Arkansas River. Las Animas serves as the county seat. The Clerk and Recorder office in Las Animas issues all marriage licenses for Bent County. Both people must appear together in person. Bring valid ID and be ready to pay the $30 fee.

Call the Bent County clerk office before you visit to check their current hours and whether appointments are required. Rural counties often have limited staffing, so it helps to confirm the office will be open when you plan to visit. Most applications can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes if you have all needed information ready.

What You Need to Bring

Both people must show valid photo identification. A current driver license is the most common form of ID. A passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card also works. Your ID must not be expired. If your Colorado driver license has a note saying "Not valid for federal identification," consider bringing a second form of ID to be safe.

You need to know your Social Security number. The application form asks for the last four digits only, as required by C.R.S. 14-2-105. If one of you does not have a Social Security number, you must complete an affidavit explaining why. This form can be signed at the clerk office or notarized ahead of time.

The application asks for your parents' full names and addresses. You must list your mother's full maiden name and your father's full name. This is a state requirement that applies to all Colorado counties. If you do not have this information, speak with the clerk staff about your options.

If either of you was married before, you need the date your previous marriage ended. This could be the date of your divorce decree or the date your former spouse died. You do not need to bring documents proving this, but the date must be listed on the application. Bent County cannot issue a new license if either person is still legally married.

The Application Process

Visit the Bent County Clerk and Recorder office in Las Animas. Both people must be present at the same time. The staff will provide a marriage license application for you to complete. Fill out all fields carefully. The form asks for basic information like your name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. It also asks about your parents and any previous marriages.

When you finish the application, the clerk will review it and verify your identification. You will pay the $30 fee at this time. Most counties accept cash, check, or credit card, but confirm payment options when you call ahead. The clerk will print your marriage license on the spot. In most cases, you leave with your license the same day.

Your license is valid immediately upon receipt. Colorado has no waiting period under state law. You can hold your wedding ceremony the same day you get your license if you wish. The license remains valid for 35 days from the date of issue under C.R.S. 14-2-107. Be sure to schedule your ceremony within this timeframe, or your license will expire and you will need to apply for a new one.

Self-Solemnization in Bent County

Colorado is one of a handful of states that allows couples to marry themselves without an officiant. This practice is called self-solemnization. Under C.R.S. 14-2-109, the two parties to a marriage may solemnize their own ceremony. You do not need a judge, minister, or any other third party present. Simply obtain your license from Bent County, hold your ceremony at a location of your choice within Colorado, and sign the marriage certificate yourselves.

Self-solemnization means only the two people getting married can sign the certificate. A friend or family member cannot act as your officiant unless they are legally authorized to perform marriages in Colorado. Authorized officiants include judges, magistrates, and clergy recognized by religious organizations. If you want a friend to participate in your ceremony, you can still self-solemnize and have that person lead the event without signing the official certificate.

Witnesses are not required for marriages in Colorado. If you choose to have witnesses, there is no minimum age requirement. Children can sign as witnesses if you wish to include them in your ceremony. This is entirely optional and not a legal necessity in Bent County.

Marriage License Fees and Costs

The fee for a marriage license in Bent County is $30. This is a uniform statewide fee established by Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-106. All 64 counties in the state charge the same amount. Certified copies of your recorded marriage certificate cost $1.25 each. Most couples order two or three copies when they record their certificate to have on hand for legal purposes.

There is no charge to record your completed marriage certificate in Bent County. After your ceremony, you must return the signed certificate to the clerk office within 63 days. If you miss this deadline, you will be subject to late fees. The minimum late fee is $20 under C.R.S. 14-2-109. After that, the county may assess an additional $5 per day, up to a maximum total of $50. To avoid these extra costs, make sure to return your paperwork on time.

Age Requirements and Restrictions

Both people must be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license in Bent County without additional requirements. If either person is 16 or 17 years old, a court order from a juvenile court judge is required. Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-108 does not permit parental consent as an alternative. You must go through the court system to obtain judicial approval. No one under the age of 16 may marry in Colorado under any circumstances. This restriction was enacted in 2019 when the state passed HB19-1316.

Both people must be legally free to marry. If either person is still married to someone else, Bent County cannot issue a new marriage license. All previous marriages must be legally terminated by divorce or death. Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-110 also prohibits marriage between certain close blood relatives, including parents and children, siblings, uncles and nieces, and aunts and nephews. Marriage between first cousins is permitted in Colorado.

Where You Can Use Your Bent County License

A marriage license issued in Bent County can be used anywhere within the state of Colorado. You are not required to hold your ceremony in Bent County simply because that is where you obtained your license. Many couples apply for a license in one county and hold their wedding in another. The license is valid statewide under C.R.S. 14-2-107. However, it is not valid outside of Colorado. If you plan to marry in another state or country, you must obtain a marriage license from that jurisdiction.

You do not need to be a Colorado resident to obtain a marriage license in Bent County. Couples from other states and other countries may apply as long as both people appear in person with valid identification. Many couples choose Colorado for destination weddings because of the unique self-solemnization option and the absence of a waiting period.

Recording Your Marriage Certificate

After your wedding ceremony, the person who performed it must complete the certificate portion of your marriage license. This section includes the date, time, and location of the ceremony. If you self-solemnized your marriage, you will fill out this section yourselves. Once the certificate is complete and signed, return it to the Bent County Clerk and Recorder office within 63 days. You may mail it or deliver it in person.

The clerk office will record your marriage certificate in the county recordkeeping system. Once this is done, your marriage becomes official and is on file with the state. You can order certified copies at any time after recording. Most people request copies immediately for purposes such as changing their name, updating insurance, or other legal matters.

If you lose your marriage certificate before returning it for recording, contact the Bent County clerk office as soon as possible. They may be able to issue a replacement certificate, or you may need to apply for a new license. Do not delay, or you risk missing the 63-day deadline and incurring late fees.

Absentee Applications and Proxy Marriages

If one person cannot attend the application appointment in Bent 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 person who cannot attend must have a valid reason, such as being deployed in the military or working overseas.

Colorado law permits proxy marriages in very limited circumstances under C.R.S. 14-2-109. One party must be a Colorado resident, and the other party must be a member of the armed forces stationed abroad or a government contractor supporting military operations. Both people must be at least 18 years old. Self-solemnization is not allowed for proxy marriages. An authorized officiant must perform the ceremony.

Additional Information

Colorado does not require blood tests for marriage. There is no waiting period after you receive your license. You may use it immediately on the same day. Plan to hold your ceremony within 35 days to ensure your license remains valid.

Clergy members do not need to register with the state of Colorado. They simply need to be ordained by a recognized religious denomination or organization. Out-of-state clergy may perform marriages in Bent County as long as they are properly ordained.

Colorado recognizes common law marriage. If you and your partner have lived together and presented yourselves as a married couple, you may already be considered married under common law even without a formal license. While there is no such thing as a common law marriage license, you can apply for a regular marriage license and self-solemnize to create an official record of your relationship.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bent County. You may apply for a marriage license in any Colorado county regardless of where you live.