Jefferson County Marriage License Search

Get your marriage license from Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder in Golden. Walk-ins are welcome, or make an appointment for guaranteed service.

Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder is at 100 Jefferson County Parkway Suite 2560 in Golden. This office serves one of the most populous counties in the Denver metro area. Marriage licenses can be purchased for $30 and may be used immediately within the state of Colorado.

Jefferson County offers flexible service. Make an appointment to get your license within 35 days of any ceremony. Appointments are available 8 AM to 3 PM Monday to Thursday. If your schedule is flexible and you don't mind a potential wait, come by any time from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Thursday. Drop-ins are welcome.

The appointment calendar is available 21 days in advance, refreshing daily. If you want to come with a group of family and friends, the office asks that you make an appointment.

The license is valid for 35 days from the issue date. You can use it anywhere in Colorado. Many couples from Denver choose Jefferson County because of the flexible walk-in hours and helpful staff.

How to Apply in Jefferson County

Visit the clerk office in Golden with your partner. Both of you must be there unless one uses a proxy affidavit. Bring valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID works.

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. Parents' names and addresses are also required. If you were married before, bring your divorce decree or death certificate.

Pay $30 by cash, check, or credit card. The license is issued the same day. No waiting period exists in Colorado per C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use it right away.

Required items:

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

If you have questions before your visit, click the orange chat icon on the county website between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Staff can answer questions about requirements, appointments, and the process.

Jefferson County Marriage Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old. If either is 16 or 17, a judicial 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 are welcome. The only residency requirement applies to proxy marriages. One party must be a Colorado resident for a proxy wedding.

If you were married before, that marriage must be over. Bring proof. A divorce decree or death certificate is required. Colorado prohibits bigamy under C.R.S. 14-2-110. You cannot have two active marriages.

Prohibited relationships include parent-child, grandparent-grandchild, siblings, and aunt/uncle-niece/nephew. Marriage between first cousins is allowed in Colorado. This differs from many states.

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

Getting Married in Jefferson County

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

Self-solemnization is unique to Colorado. You do not need anyone else. Just sign the marriage certificate as both the officiating party and the married couple. Fill in the date, time, and place of your ceremony. Return it to Jefferson County 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 perform weddings here.

Only those authorized to sign the certificate as the officiant can do so. A friend or relative may not solemnize the union unless they are authorized by a legal or religious body. Please note, "officiant" is not a title. If there is no identifiable title like pastor, minister, judge, or magistrate, it will be considered a self-solemnization.

The marriage certificate must also include the county, date, and location where the ceremony took place AND both party's signatures. Witnesses are not required in Colorado.

Recording Your Marriage

The completed certificate must be mailed or hand delivered to the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's office within 63 days after the marriage. Failure to comply may result in late fees.

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.

Once recorded, the marriage becomes official. You can order certified copies from the Jefferson County Clerk. The cost is $1.25 per certified copy. You need certified copies for name changes, joint accounts, and legal matters.

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.

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. 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 Jefferson County Clerk can help you with this process.

Legal Help in Jefferson 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 for help.

The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 303-860-1115. This can connect you with family law attorneys in Jefferson County. The first consultation is often at a reduced rate.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes several cities in the Denver metro area. All residents apply for marriage licenses at the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder in Golden.

Other cities in Jefferson County include Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Golden, and Littleton (parts). Westminster also spans into Jefferson County. All use the same clerk office in Golden for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County. You can get a marriage license from any Colorado county. The license works statewide. Some couples choose based on location or service options.