Dolores County Marriage License

Get a marriage license from Dolores County Clerk and Recorder in Dove Creek. The county serves couples from the Four Corners region of southwest Colorado.

Dolores County Clerk and Recorder

The Dolores County Clerk and Recorder office is in Dove Creek. This is a small rural county in the southwest corner of Colorado. The office handles marriage licenses for all residents and visitors. Staff issue licenses during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

Both people must appear in person together to apply. Bring valid photo ID and $30 for the fee. The clerk will process your application and issue the license the same day. No appointment is usually required in this small county, but calling ahead is always smart to confirm the office will be open.

How to Apply in Dolores County

Start by gathering your documents. You need a valid photo ID like a driver license or passport. Bring your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you can sign an affidavit at the clerk office.

Visit the clerk office in Dove Creek with your partner. Both of you must be there at the same time. The clerk will ask for basic info: full names, birth dates, birth places, and parents' names. If you were married before, bring proof that the marriage ended. A divorce decree or death certificate works.

Pay the $30 fee by cash or check. Some small county offices do not take credit cards, so call ahead to ask about payment methods. The clerk prints your license right away. You can use it immediately anywhere in Colorado per C.R.S. 14-2-107. The license stays valid for 35 days from the date of issue.

What to bring:

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Social security number
• $30 payment
• Divorce decree if previously married

Marriage Requirements

You must be 18 or older to get a license without a court order. Anyone 16 or 17 needs judicial approval under C.R.S. 14-2-108. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado. This law changed in 2019 to protect minors.

Colorado does not require you to be a resident. Out-of-state couples are welcome to apply. No waiting period exists. No blood test is needed. These old rules were dropped long ago. You can get your license and marry the same day if you want.

If you were married before, that marriage must be over. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk needs to see proof. Colorado law at C.R.S. 14-2-110 bans bigamy. You cannot have two marriages at once.

Some family relationships are prohibited. You cannot marry your parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. First cousins can marry in Colorado. This is different from many states.

Information needed for the application:

• Full legal names
• Birth dates and birth places
• Last four digits of social security numbers
• Parents' full names and addresses
• Prior marriage details if applicable

Getting Married in Colorado

Colorado law gives you three ways to marry per C.R.S. 14-2-109. Pick the one that fits your plans. You can have a religious ceremony with clergy. You can have a civil ceremony with a judge or magistrate. Or you can self-solemnize and skip the officiant entirely.

Self-solemnization is unique to Colorado. You do not need anyone else to make it legal. Just sign the marriage certificate as both the officiating party and the married couple. Fill it out on your wedding day with the date, time, and place. Return it to the Dolores County Clerk within 63 days. That is all it takes.

For a civil ceremony, contact a judge or magistrate in Dolores County. Public officials with authority can perform weddings. The county court may offer this service. Call ahead to schedule.

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

Witnesses are optional in Colorado. If you want them, there is no age limit. Kids can sign the certificate if you wish. No specific number of witnesses is required.

Recording Your Marriage

After your ceremony, return the completed marriage certificate to the Dolores County Clerk and Recorder. You have 63 days to do this per C.R.S. 14-2-109. The officiant usually mails it back. If you self-solemnized, you return it yourself.

Late returns cost money. A $20 late fee applies if you miss the deadline. An extra $5 per day is added up to a max of $50 total. Get it back on time to skip these fees.

Once the clerk records your marriage, it becomes official. You can order certified copies from the Dolores County office. Copies cost $1.25 each. These are needed for name changes, joint bank accounts, and other legal matters.

For old marriage records, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. They hold historical marriage certificates. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. Call 303-692-2000 or visit cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. Certified state copies cost $17.

Common Law Marriage in Colorado

Colorado recognizes common law marriage. This means you can be legally married without a ceremony or license if you meet the requirements. You must live together and present yourselves as married. Both of you must intend to be married.

However, getting a formal license is smarter. A license gives you clear proof of marriage. This helps with taxes, insurance, and legal rights. Without a license, you may need to prove your common law marriage in court later. That can be hard and costly.

If you want to make a common law marriage official, you can get a license and self-solemnize. This creates a legal record. The Dolores County Clerk can help you with this process.

Legal Help

Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents. They cover family law, name changes, and marriage issues. Call 303-837-1313 or visit coloradolegalservices.org for help.

The Colorado Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call 303-860-1115 to find an attorney in your area. The first meeting is often at a lower rate. This service can connect you with family law attorneys who handle marriage matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Dolores County. You can get a marriage license from any Colorado county. The license works anywhere in the state. Some couples pick a county based on location or convenience.