Find Marriage License in Denver County

Marriage licenses in Denver County are issued by the Denver Clerk and Recorder at 200 W. 14th Avenue. Denver is Colorado's most populous county with over 715,000 residents.

Denver Clerk and Recorder Office

The Denver Clerk and Recorder handles all marriage license applications for the city and county of Denver. This is a consolidated city-county office. Staff issue licenses Monday through Friday during business hours. Both people must appear together to apply unless one uses a proxy affidavit.

Denver offers online applications for couples who want to save time. Fill out the form on their website before your visit. The office can get very busy, so many couples report long wait times during lunch hours and Fridays. Some users say the Denver office feels overwhelmed compared to nearby Jefferson County. If you want faster service, consider using Jefferson County instead since any county license works anywhere in Colorado.

The Denver Clerk and Recorder also functions as City Clerk, Public Trustee, County Recorder, and Chief Elections Official. This office oversees marriage licenses, foreclosures, records management, and elections for the entire city and county.

How to Get Your License in Denver

Start by filling out the online marriage license application at denverclerkandrecorder.org. This saves time when you visit the office. The form asks for basic facts: full names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. You need the last four digits of your SSN. If you lack a social security number, you sign an affidavit instead.

Both of you must appear in person together at the clerk office. Bring valid photo ID. A driver license or passport works best. Military IDs are fine too. Original birth certificates can serve as backup if needed. The clerk will verify your identity and process your application.

Pay the $30 fee by cash, check, or credit card. Some payment methods may include a small processing fee. The license is issued immediately on the same day. No waiting period exists in Colorado under C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use your license right away for a ceremony anywhere in the state.

Required items for your visit:

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Social security number or affidavit
• Payment of $30
• Completed online application if available
• Divorce decree if previously married

Denver County Marriage Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old. If either person is 16 or 17, a court order is required under C.R.S. 14-2-108. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado. This rule changed in 2019.

You do not need to be a Colorado resident to get a license here. Out-of-state couples are welcome. The only residency rule applies to proxy marriages. One party must live in Colorado for a proxy wedding. That person also needs to be in the armed forces or a government contractor.

If you were married before, that marriage must be ended by divorce or death. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if applicable. The clerk may ask to see proof. Colorado prohibits bigamy under C.R.S. 14-2-110. You cannot have two marriages at once.

Certain family relationships are banned. You cannot marry your parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. Marriage between first cousins is allowed in Colorado. This differs from many other states.

No blood test is needed. No medical exam is required. These old rules were dropped years ago in Colorado.

Getting Married in Denver

Colorado offers three ways to solemnize a marriage per C.R.S. 14-2-109. You can have a religious ceremony with clergy. You can have a civil ceremony with a judge. Or you can self-solemnize without any officiant at all.

Self-solemnization means you sign the marriage certificate yourselves. No third party is needed. This is legal in Colorado. Just the two of you can make it official. Fill out the certificate on your wedding day. Sign it as the officiating party and as the married couple. Return it to the Denver Clerk within 63 days.

For a civil ceremony in Denver, contact Denver County Court at denvercountycourt.org/weddings. Judicial officers perform marriage ceremonies. You must coordinate with a judge or magistrate. Call ahead to schedule.

Religious ceremonies require an officiant recognized by a denomination or tribe. The officiant does not need Colorado registration. Out-of-state clergy can perform weddings here. Friends and family cannot officiate unless they have legal or religious authority.

Witnesses are not required in Colorado. You can have them if you want. There is no age limit for witnesses. Children can sign if you choose. Denver no longer allows pet paw prints on licenses due to scanning issues with their equipment.

Recording Your Marriage in Denver

After your ceremony, the marriage certificate must be returned to the Denver Clerk and Recorder within 63 days. The officiant usually handles this. If you self-solemnized, you mail it back yourself. Use the address at 200 W. 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204.

Late returns trigger fees. A $20 minimum late fee applies. An additional $5 per day is charged up to a maximum of $50 total. These fees are set by C.R.S. 14-2-109. Return your certificate on time to avoid extra costs.

Once recorded, the marriage becomes part of the official record. You can order certified copies from the clerk office. The cost is $1.25 per certified copy. Plain copies cost 25 cents per page. You need certified copies for legal matters like name changes or joint accounts.

For marriages that took place years ago, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Their vital records section holds historical marriage certificates. Call 303-692-2000 or visit cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. Certified copies cost $17 from the state.

Denver Historical Marriage Records

Denver County marriage license applications from 1903 to 2003 are housed at Denver Public Library. These are historical documents. They are not available from the clerk office. Visit the library archives to access old applications.

Applications from 1941 to 2003 are restricted per Colorado state law under C.R.S. 24-72. You may need to prove a relationship or legal interest to view these. The library website at archives.denverlibrary.org has more details on how to request historical records.

For recent marriages, contact the clerk office directly. They maintain records for current and recent years. Online document searches are available for some recorded documents. Check denvergov.org/Government/Records for access to public records portals.

Legal Help in Denver County

Colorado Legal Services has an office in Denver. They provide free legal help to low-income residents. Call them at 303-837-1313 for questions about marriage law. Their website is coloradolegalservices.org. They can assist with name changes, domestic relations, and other legal matters tied to marriage.

The Denver Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Call 303-758-4777 to get connected with an attorney. The first consultation is often at a reduced rate. This service covers family law, estate planning, and other legal needs.

Cities in Denver County

Denver County is a consolidated city-county. The City of Denver covers the entire county. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the Denver Clerk and Recorder office at 200 W. 14th Avenue.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Denver County. You can get a marriage license from any county in Colorado. The license works statewide. Some couples prefer nearby counties for shorter wait times or better service.