El Paso County Marriage License Search
Marriage licenses in El Paso County are issued by the Clerk and Recorder with offices in Colorado Springs. This is the only county in Colorado that offers Saturday hours.
El Paso County Quick Facts
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Offices
El Paso County operates four offices that all issue marriage licenses. The main office is on Garden of the Gods Road. The North Office on Union Boulevard offers Saturday hours from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This is the ONLY county in Colorado open on Saturday for marriage licenses.
All four locations handle motor vehicle, recording, marriage licenses, and elections services. You can visit whichever office is most convenient. Both people must appear together to apply unless one uses a proxy affidavit.
| Main Office | 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 2201, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 |
|---|---|
| North Office | 8830 N. Union Blvd (Research Pkwy and Union Blvd), Colorado Springs, CO |
| Phone | (719) 520-6200 |
| Recording Phone | (719) 520-6202 |
| car.elpasoco.com | |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 2007, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-2007 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM (North Office ONLY) |
| Website | clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com |
The license is valid upon issue. You can use it right away. It must be used in Colorado within 35 days. Couples solemnize their own marriage under C.R.S. 14-2-109, or they use a judge, retired judge, magistrate, public official, or clergy.
How to Apply in El Paso County
Visit any of the four Clerk and Recorder offices with your partner. Both of you must be there. Bring valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID works. An original or certified birth certificate can serve as backup.
Note: Colorado licenses with the black strip saying "Not valid for federal identification" may NOT be accepted at some counties. Check with the clerk office if this applies to your ID.
The clerk will ask for your 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, sign an affidavit instead. The form is available at the clerk office. You can sign and notarize it in advance or sign it in front of a Deputy County Clerk.
Provide your parents' full names and addresses. If you were married before, list that information. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate. All divorces must be final before you can remarry.
Pay $30 by cash, check, or credit card. The license is issued the same day. No waiting period exists in Colorado. You can marry right away if you want.
Required items:
- Valid photo ID for both people
- Social security number or affidavit
- $30 payment
- Divorce decree if previously married
- Parents' names and addresses
Marriage Requirements in El Paso County
Both people must be at least 18 years old. If either 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 law changed in 2019.
You do not need to be a Colorado resident. Out-of-state couples are welcome. No waiting period exists. No blood test is needed. These old rules were dropped years ago.
If you were married before, that marriage must be over. One party still married cannot apply. All divorces must be final. Colorado prohibits bigamy under C.R.S. 14-2-110.
Prohibited marriages include ancestor and descendant, brother and sister (half or whole blood), and uncle/niece or aunt/nephew. Marriage between cousins IS permitted in Colorado. This differs from many states.
Marriage license applications issued by another state are NOT valid for solemnization in Colorado. You must get a Colorado license to marry here.
Getting Married in El Paso County
Colorado law per C.R.S. 14-2-109 allows three ceremony types. Religious ceremonies use clergy from a recognized denomination. Civil ceremonies use judges, retired judges, magistrates, or public officials allowed to perform marriages. Self-solemnization requires no officiant at all.
Couples may solemnize their own marriage. This is unique to Colorado. You do not need anyone else. Just sign the certificate as both the officiating party and the married couple. Fill in the date, time, and place. Return it within 63 days.
For a civil ceremony, contact the Colorado Fourth Judicial District for judge ceremonies. The district serves El Paso County. Call (719) 452-5000 for information.
Religious ceremonies need an officiant from a recognized denomination or tribe. Clergy need not be registered in Colorado. Out-of-state clergy can perform weddings here.
Not everyone can solemnize a marriage. Although the couple may solemnize their own marriage, a friend or relative may not solemnize the marriage unless they are allowed to perform marriages. Only authorized individuals may officiate.
Witnesses are NOT needed in Colorado. If you choose to have them, any age is fine. However, pet paw prints are no longer allowed in the witness section of marriage licenses in El Paso County. This creates issues with the copy and scanning machines.
Recording Your Marriage
The person solemnizing the marriage shall complete the marriage license form and forward it to the Clerk and Recorder's Office within 63 days after solemnizing. If you self-solemnized, you return it yourself.
Late fees apply. A $20.00 minimum late fee is charged. An additional $5.00 per late day is added up to a MAXIMUM of $50.00. Return your certificate on time to avoid these costs.
Once recorded, you can order copies. License or application copies cost $0.25 each. Certified copies cost $1.00 per document. Mailing handling fees apply: 1-10 pages $1.25, 11-20 pages $2.00, over 20 pages $2.50.
Download the copy request form at clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com. Mail it with payment to the clerk office.
For marriages that occurred years ago, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Their vital records section holds historical certificates. Call 303-692-2000 or visit cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. State copies cost $17.
El Paso County Online Services
El Paso County offers online services for some documents. Visit clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/online-services to access these tools. You can search for recorded documents and access other clerk services.
For questions about divorce information, contact the Colorado Fourth Judicial District at (719) 452-5000. They handle divorce cases and other family law matters in El Paso County.
Legal Help in El Paso County
Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents. They handle family law and marriage matters. Call 303-837-1313 or visit coloradolegalservices.org.
The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 303-860-1115. This connects you with attorneys in your area. The first consultation is often at a reduced rate.
Cities in El Paso County
El Paso County includes Colorado's second-largest city. All residents apply for marriage licenses at one of the four Clerk and Recorder offices. The main office and North Office are both in Colorado Springs.
Other cities in El Paso County include Fountain, Manitou Springs, and Monument. All use the same clerk offices for marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
These counties border El Paso County. You can get a marriage license from any Colorado county. The license works statewide. Some couples pick a county based on location or Saturday availability.