Find Marriage License in Phillips County

Marriage licenses in Phillips County are issued by the County Clerk and Recorder in Holyoke.

Phillips County Clerk and Recorder

The Phillips County Clerk and Recorder office in Holyoke handles all marriage license applications for the county. Both parties must show up in person to get the license. You need to bring valid ID like a driver's license or passport. The office is open during normal business hours on weekdays. It's smart to call ahead to make sure someone will be there to help you.

The fee is $30, paid at the time you apply. You can use cash, check, or card at most county offices. The clerk staff will review your application and check your IDs. If everything looks good, they issue the license on the spot. There is no wait time in Colorado. Your license is valid right away and lasts for 35 days from the date it's issued.

Phillips County is part of the 13th Judicial District. The clerk office serves couples from all over the county, including those in Haxtun, Paoli, and other small towns. If you live in rural areas, Holyoke is your only option for getting a marriage license in Phillips County. The courthouse sits in the center of town and has been serving residents for many decades.

What You Need to Apply

Colorado law sets the rules for what you need to bring when you apply for a marriage license. Both people must be there. Each person needs one form of ID. Acceptable IDs include a current driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. If your ID has a black stripe that says "Not valid for federal identification," some counties may not take it. Birth certificates work if they are original or certified copies.

You will fill out an application form at the clerk office. The form asks for basic info like your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and address. You must give the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you can sign an affidavit instead. The form also asks about your parents' names and addresses. This is required by Colorado statute per C.R.S. 14-2-105. If you were married before, you need to provide details about when and where that marriage ended.

No blood test is required in Phillips County or anywhere else in Colorado. There is no waiting period either. Once you pay and sign the application, the clerk gives you the license. You can use it that same day if you want. The 35-day validity period starts as soon as the license is issued, so plan your ceremony date accordingly.

Age Rules and Legal Limits

You must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Phillips County without any extra steps. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a juvenile court judge. Colorado law changed a few years ago, and now no one under 16 can get married. There is no parental consent option anymore. The only way for minors to marry is with a judicial order, and those are rarely granted.

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-110 lists marriages that are not allowed. You can't marry someone if you are still married to another person. All prior marriages must be legally ended through divorce or death before you can remarry. You also can't marry close relatives like parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. Marriage between first cousins is allowed in Colorado, which is different from many other states.

If either person is not a U.S. citizen, you still can apply for a marriage license in Phillips County. Bring your passport or other government-issued ID from your home country. The clerk may ask for proof that you are legally in the United States, but this varies by county. It's a good idea to call ahead if you have questions about your specific situation.

Self-Solemnization in Phillips County

Colorado is one of very few states where couples can marry themselves. This is called self-solemnization. You don't need a judge, minister, or any other officiant under C.R.S. 14-2-109. The two of you can sign the marriage certificate on your own. This makes things simple if you want a private ceremony or if you can't find an officiant.

When you pick up your license in Phillips County, tell the clerk if you plan to self-solemnize. They will give you instructions on how to fill out the certificate. On your wedding day, both of you sign in the officiant section. Write "The Parties to the Marriage" as the title. Then sign in the party signature lines as well. No witnesses are needed in Colorado, but you can have them sign if you want.

After the ceremony, you must return the completed certificate to the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off in person. The clerk will record it and send you a certified copy. If you are late returning the certificate, you may have to pay a fee of $20 plus $5 for each day you are late, up to a total of $50.

Some people think a friend or family member can officiate if the couple can do it themselves. That's not how the law works. Only the couple, a judge, a magistrate, a public official with solemnization powers, or a recognized religious or tribal officiant can sign as the officiant. Your friend can't just sign the license unless they meet one of those criteria.

Using Your Marriage License

Once you have your license from Phillips County, you can use it anywhere in Colorado. The license is good statewide. You could get it in Holyoke and have your ceremony in Denver, Aspen, or any other Colorado location. Just make sure you use it within 35 days.

If you don't use the license within 35 days, it becomes void. You would need to go back to the clerk office and apply for a new one. There is no way to extend the 35-day period. Plan your ceremony date before you go to get the license so you don't waste the fee.

The ceremony can happen any time during those 35 days. It can be a big event or just the two of you. If you hire an officiant, make sure they know they need to sign the certificate and return it to Phillips County within 63 days. Most officiants are familiar with this process, but it doesn't hurt to remind them.

Recording the Marriage

After your ceremony, the signed certificate must be returned to Phillips County for recording. This is what makes the marriage official in the eyes of the state. The person who performed the ceremony usually handles this, but if you self-solemnized, it's your job. Mail or deliver the certificate to the clerk office in Holyoke.

The clerk will record the marriage and enter it into the state vital records system. Once it's recorded, you can order certified copies. These copies are what you use to change your name, update your Social Security card, or prove you are married for insurance and other purposes. The fee for a certified copy is $1.25 if you get it from the county. If you order from the state, it costs $17.

You can order copies by mail, phone, or in person at the clerk office. Some counties offer online ordering, but Phillips County may not have that option yet. Check with the clerk office for current procedures. Keep in mind that it may take a few weeks for the marriage to be fully processed and entered into the state database.

Legal Help and Resources

If you need legal advice about marriage in Phillips County, you can contact Colorado Legal Services. They provide free help to low-income residents. You can also reach out to a private family law attorney in the area. Some attorneys offer free consultations.

For questions about name changes after marriage, contact the Social Security Administration and the Colorado DMV. The Social Security office can update your name on your Social Security card once you have a certified copy of your marriage certificate. The DMV can change your name on your driver's license. Both require proof of marriage.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains all vital records for the state, including marriage certificates. Their website at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords has information about ordering copies and correcting errors on marriage certificates. If you lose your certified copy, you can order a new one from the state or from Phillips County.

Nearby Counties

If Phillips County is not convenient for you, consider these nearby clerk offices:

• Sedgwick County - County seat in Julesburg
• Yuma County - County seat in Wray
• Logan County - County seat in Sterling
• Washington County - County seat in Akron

Any Colorado county can issue you a marriage license. Pick the one that works best for your schedule and location.