Montezuma County Marriage License
The Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder in Cortez handles marriage licenses for couples in the Four Corners region.
Montezuma County Quick Facts
Montezuma County Clerk Office
The Clerk and Recorder office in Cortez issues marriage licenses for Montezuma County. Cortez sits in the far southwest corner of Colorado near Mesa Verde National Park. The Four Corners monument is just 40 miles away where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet.
Both people must show up together to apply. Bring your IDs and $30 for the fee. The staff will help you fill out the application. Most visits take less than 30 minutes. You get your license the same day.
Cortez is about six hours from Denver by car. It is two hours from Durango and one hour from Farmington, New Mexico. Many couples from the Four Corners area use this office for marriage licenses.
| Office | Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Location | County Courthouse Cortez, CO |
| Fee | $30.00 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call ahead to confirm) |
| Payment | Cash, check, or credit card accepted |
License Requirements
Montezuma County follows Colorado state law for marriage licenses. You must be at least 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order signed by a judge first. No one under 16 can get married in Colorado.
Bring a valid photo ID to the clerk office. Your driver license is best. A passport works too. So does a state ID card. Make sure your ID is current and not expired. The clerk needs to verify your age and identity.
You need your Social Security number. The clerk only asks for the last four digits. If you do not have one, you must sign an affidavit. The clerk will give you this form.
The application asks for your parents' names and addresses. If you were married before, list when that marriage ended. This can be a divorce date or the date your spouse died.
Applying for Your License
Walk into the Montezuma 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 bring a completed form if you found it online first.
The form asks for basic information. Your full names, birth dates, and places of birth go at the top. List your current addresses. Write your parents' names if you know them. If you were married before, include when that marriage ended.
Hand in your form with both IDs. The clerk will check everything and type up your license. You get it right away. Pay the $30 fee before you leave.
Your license is valid for 35 days from issue date per C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use it anywhere in Colorado during that time.
Marriage Ceremony Options
Colorado allows self-solemnization. You can marry yourselves without an officiant. No judge or minister is needed. Just sign your license on your wedding day. This option is in C.R.S. 14-2-109.
Many couples in Montezuma County choose outdoor weddings. Mesa Verde and the surrounding canyons offer beautiful views. Self-solemnization makes it easy to marry at scenic spots without bringing an officiant.
On your wedding day, fill out the ceremony section of your license. Write the date, time, and place. Both of you sign as the parties to the marriage. Witnesses are not required in Colorado but you can have them if you want.
If you prefer a traditional ceremony, you can have one. Judges, magistrates, and clergy can perform weddings in Colorado. Retired judges are also allowed. Your friend or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are ordained clergy or a judge.
After your ceremony, return the completed license to Montezuma County within 63 days. Mail it or drop it off in person. Late returns may result in a $20 fee plus $5 per day up to $50 maximum.
License Fees and Copies
The marriage license costs $30 in Montezuma County. This is the same price in all Colorado counties. The fee is set by C.R.S. 14-2-106.
After your license is recorded, you can order certified copies. The Montezuma County Clerk charges $1.25 per copy. This is much less than the state charges. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment charges $17 per copy.
Order copies in person or by mail. If you mail your request, include a note with both names and the marriage date. Send a check for the copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope to avoid handling fees.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are public records in Colorado. Anyone can request a copy. The license application itself is confidential under state law.
To find a marriage record in Montezuma County, contact the Clerk and Recorder office. Give them the names of both people and the approximate date of marriage. The staff will search their files.
You can also contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. Call (303) 692-2000 with questions. They keep a central database of all Colorado marriages.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. This service charges extra fees on top of the state fee.
Other Counties Nearby
If Montezuma County is not convenient, try another county. All Colorado marriage licenses work statewide. The fee is always $30.
La Plata County is east of Montezuma County. The county seat is Durango. This is about two hours from Cortez. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for $30.
Dolores County is north of Montezuma County. The county seat is Dove Creek. This is a small county with a smaller clerk office. The fee is still $30.
San Juan County is northeast of Montezuma County. The county seat is Silverton. This mountain town offers scenic wedding locations. The clerk office there follows the same state rules.