Search Larimer County Marriage License

Larimer County offers marriage licenses at three locations: Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park.

Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Offices

Larimer County has three offices where you can get a marriage license. The main office is in Fort Collins on the first floor of the county building. This is the busiest location but it only handles clerk services. Wait times are usually shorter here than at the other branches.

The Loveland office also issues marriage licenses. This location doubles as a vehicle licensing branch. Expect longer waits on the first and last days of any month when car registration is due. Many people come for vehicle services during those peak times. If you can visit mid-month, you will have a shorter wait.

The Estes Park office is the third option. This location also serves as a vehicle branch. It may have longer wait times than Fort Collins. Estes Park is convenient if you plan to marry in Rocky Mountain National Park or nearby mountain venues.

Marriage License Requirements

Larimer County follows state law for marriage licenses. Both people must show up in person to apply. You cannot send someone else unless you qualify for proxy marriage. Proxy marriage is only for military members or government contractors stationed overseas. One of you must be a Colorado resident for proxy marriage.

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Colorado. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order first. No one under 16 can get married in the state. This rule is set by Colorado statute.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Your driver license works best. A passport is also acceptable. A state ID card is fine too. The ID must show your photo, date of birth, issue date, and expiration date. Make sure your ID is not expired or it will not be accepted.

• U.S. government issued photo ID
• Must show photo, birth date, issue date, and expiration date
• Driver license, passport, or state ID card
• Last four digits of Social Security number
• Parents' names and addresses
• Previous marriage details if applicable

You need the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have one, you must sign an affidavit. The clerk will provide this form at the office.

How to Apply for Your License

Walk into any Larimer County clerk office during business hours. Tell the staff you need a marriage license. They will give you an application form. You can fill it out there or complete it ahead of time if you find it online.

The form asks for your full name, birth date, and place of birth. List your current address. Write your parents' full names if you know them. If you were married before, include when that marriage ended. This can be a divorce date or the date your spouse died.

Hand in your completed form with both IDs. The clerk will review everything and type up your license. You get it the same day. The whole process takes about 20 minutes in most cases. Some days are busier than others, so your wait time may vary.

Pay the $30 fee before you leave. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Your license is valid for 35 days from the date it is issued per C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use it anywhere in Colorado during those 35 days. After that it expires.

Wedding Ceremony Options

Colorado allows couples to marry themselves. This is called self-solemnization. You do not need a judge, minister, or other officiant. Just sign your license on your wedding day. This option is set in C.R.S. 14-2-109.

The Larimer County Clerk office gives you instructions for self-solemnization when you pick up your license. The process is simple. On your wedding day, fill out the ceremony details on the license. Both of you sign as the parties to the marriage. That is all you need to do.

If you want a traditional ceremony, you can have one. Judges and magistrates can perform weddings. Retired judges are also allowed. Clergy members can do it too. Indian tribe officials have authority as well. Out-of-state clergy do not need to register in Colorado. They can perform your wedding here without any extra paperwork.

Your friend or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are ordained clergy or a judge. Colorado law says only certain people have authority to solemnize marriages. Self-solemnization is your option if you want a private ceremony without finding an authorized officiant.

Witnesses are not required in Colorado. If you want them to sign, you can have as many as you like. There is no age limit. Children can sign if you want them to be part of your ceremony.

Returning Your Completed License

After your wedding, someone must return the completed license to Larimer County. It must come back within 63 days after the ceremony. Anyone can return it. You do not have to be the one who brings it back. You can mail it or have a friend drop it off.

If you return your license to the Fort Collins office, certified copies are available right away. If you return it to the Loveland or Estes Park office, copies are available within three days. The clerk keeps your original license for three to four days while they record it. Then they mail it back to you at the address on your application.

If you do not receive your recorded license within 14 days after returning it, call (970) 498-7860. The staff can check on the status. Sometimes mail gets delayed or an address is wrong. They can help you track down your recorded license.

Late returns may result in fees. The law allows a $20 late fee plus $5 per day up to a maximum of $50. Return your license on time to avoid these charges. Mail it a few days after your wedding to make sure it arrives within the 63-day window.

License Fees and Certified Copies

The marriage license costs $30 in Larimer County. This fee is the same in all Colorado counties. It is set by C.R.S. 14-2-106. You pay when you pick up your license at any of the three clerk offices.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate are available after recording. The Larimer County Clerk charges $1.25 per copy. This is much cheaper than ordering from the state. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment charges $17 per copy from their Denver office.

Order copies in person at any Larimer County clerk office. You can also request them by mail. Send a note with both full names and the date of marriage. Include a check or money order for the copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope to avoid handling fees. The clerk will mail your copies within a few business days.

Pet Paw Prints on Your License

Larimer County allows pet paw prints on marriage licenses. This is a popular option for couples who want their dogs or cats to be part of the ceremony. Not all Colorado counties allow this. Denver, Arapahoe, and El Paso counties stopped allowing paw prints because they cause problems with scanning machines.

If you want your pet to sign as a witness, bring them to your ceremony. Use non-toxic ink to make the paw print on the witness line. Write your pet's name next to the print. This is a fun way to include your animal in your wedding day.

Remember that witnesses are not required in Colorado. Paw prints are purely for fun. Your marriage is valid whether or not you have any witnesses at all.

Common Law Marriage in Colorado

Colorado recognizes common law marriage. This is when a couple presents themselves as married without a license or ceremony. The Larimer County Clerk does not provide forms for common law marriage. No paperwork is needed to establish a common law marriage in Colorado.

For more information about common law marriage, visit the Colorado Attorney General's website. They explain the requirements and how to prove a common law marriage exists. This is different from a licensed marriage which requires a formal license and recording.

Cities in Larimer County

Larimer County includes several cities. Fort Collins is the county seat and largest city. It has a population of about 169,000. The main clerk office is located there at 200 W. Oak Street.

Loveland is the second largest city in Larimer County. It has about 76,000 residents. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses but also handles vehicle licensing. This can mean longer wait times.

Estes Park is a smaller town in Larimer County. It sits at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Many couples come here for mountain weddings. The clerk office in Estes Park can issue your marriage license before your ceremony in the park.