Access Elbert County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Elbert County come from the Clerk and Recorder in Kiowa, the county seat east of Denver.

Elbert County Clerk and Recorder

The Elbert County Clerk and Recorder is in Kiowa. This is a rural county southeast of the Denver metro area. The office handles all marriage licenses for county residents and anyone who wants to marry here.

Staff issue licenses during regular business hours. Both people must appear together. Bring valid ID and payment. The process is straightforward in this small county office.

How to Get Your License

Visit the clerk office in Kiowa with your partner. You both need to be there. Bring a valid photo ID. A driver license or passport works best. The clerk will ask for basic information: names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers.

If you were married before, bring proof that it ended. A divorce decree or death certificate is required. The clerk needs to see this before issuing a new license.

Pay $30 by cash or check. Ask ahead if credit cards are accepted. Many small county offices prefer cash or checks. The license is issued the same day per C.R.S. 14-2-107. It stays valid for 35 days.

Items to bring:

• Photo ID for both people
• Social security number
• $30 payment
• Divorce decree if applicable

Marriage Requirements

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.

You do not need to be a Colorado resident. Out-of-state couples can apply. No waiting period exists. No blood test is needed. You can marry the same day you get your license.

If you were married before, that marriage must be over. Colorado bans bigamy under C.R.S. 14-2-110. You cannot have two active marriages at once.

Certain family relationships are prohibited. You cannot marry a parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. First cousins can marry in Colorado.

Getting Married in Colorado

Colorado law at C.R.S. 14-2-109 allows three ceremony types. You can have a religious ceremony with clergy. You can have a civil ceremony with a judge. Or you can self-solemnize without an officiant.

Self-solemnization means you sign the certificate yourselves. No third party is needed. This is unique to Colorado. Fill out the certificate on your wedding day. Sign as the officiating party and as the married couple. Return it within 63 days.

For a civil ceremony, contact a judge or magistrate. Public officials with authority can perform weddings. Ask the clerk office for referrals.

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

Witnesses are not required. You can have them if you want. Any age is fine.

Recording Your Marriage

Return the completed certificate to Elbert County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days. The officiant usually does this. If you self-solemnized, you mail it back yourself.

Late returns trigger fees. A $20 late fee applies. An extra $5 per day is charged up to $50 max. Return it on time to avoid costs.

Once recorded, you can order certified copies. Copies cost $1.25 each from the county. You need certified copies for name changes and legal matters.

For old records, contact Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at 303-692-2000 or cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. State copies cost $17.

Common Law Marriage

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

Getting a formal license is better. It gives clear proof. 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, get a license and self-solemnize. This creates a legal record.

Legal Help

Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents. Call 303-837-1313 or visit coloradolegalservices.org. They handle family law matters.

The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 303-860-1115. This connects you with attorneys in your area.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Elbert County. You can get a marriage license from any Colorado county. The license works statewide.