Pitkin County Marriage License

Pitkin County issues marriage licenses through the Clerk and Recorder office in Aspen, serving couples from around the world who come here to marry in the mountains.

Getting a Marriage License in Aspen

Pitkin County is one of the most popular places in Colorado for destination weddings. The clerk office in Aspen handles hundreds of marriage licenses each year for couples who want to get married in the Rocky Mountains. The process is the same here as in any other Colorado county, but you should plan ahead due to high demand during peak wedding season from June through September.

Both people must appear together at the clerk office. The address is 530 East Main Street, Suite 104, in downtown Aspen. The phone number is 970-920-5200. Office hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, but call first to confirm. During busy times, you might wait longer than usual.

You need valid ID. Bring your driver's license or passport. If you're from out of state or out of the country, your ID is fine as long as it shows your name, photo, and date of birth. Colorado does not require you to be a resident to get a marriage license here. Many couples come from other states or countries to marry in Aspen and the surrounding mountain areas.

How to Apply

The application form asks for standard information required by Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-105. You will provide your full legal name, date and place of birth, current address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you don't have a Social Security Number, you can sign an affidavit stating that. The clerk staff can help you with this.

The form also asks about your parents. You need their full names and addresses if known. This is a state requirement and not optional. If you don't know certain details, do your best to fill in what you can. The clerk may work with you if there are gaps in this information.

If either person was married before, you must provide information about how that marriage ended. Write the date of divorce or death, the location of the court or event, and any case numbers you remember. The clerk needs this to verify that you are legally free to remarry. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if you have it, though it may not be required in all cases.

There is no blood test and no waiting period in Pitkin County or anywhere in Colorado. Once your application is complete and the fee is paid, the clerk will issue your license immediately. You can use it the same day if you wish. The fee is $30, which is set by state law and is the same in all 64 counties.

Planning a Mountain Wedding

Many couples choose Pitkin County because of the stunning natural beauty. Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed mountain ranges in North America, is just outside Aspen. There are countless venues for outdoor ceremonies, from high alpine meadows to riverside settings. Some couples hike to remote spots and marry themselves using Colorado's self-solemnization option.

If you plan an outdoor wedding on public land, check with the U.S. Forest Service or other land management agencies. Some areas require permits for gatherings. Popular spots book up fast in summer, so plan well in advance. Private venues like lodges, ranches, and event spaces are also plentiful in the Aspen area.

Keep in mind that weather in the mountains can change quickly. Even in summer, temperatures can drop, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Have a backup plan if you're doing an outdoor ceremony. Fall is a beautiful time with golden aspen trees, but snow can come as early as September at high elevations.

Marrying Yourselves

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-109 allows couples to perform their own marriage ceremony without an officiant. This is especially popular in Pitkin County, where couples often want private mountain ceremonies without needing to bring a judge or minister along.

When you pick up your license, let the clerk know you plan to self-solemnize. They will explain how to complete the marriage certificate. On your wedding day, both of you will sign in the officiant section. Write "The Parties to the Marriage" where it asks for the officiant's title. Then sign in the party signature sections as well. You don't need witnesses, though you can have them if you want.

After the ceremony, you have 63 days to return the completed certificate to the clerk office in Aspen. You can mail it or drop it off in person. If you miss the 63-day deadline, there is a late fee. The base fee is $20, and it can go up to $50 total if you are many days late. It's best to send it back within a week or two of your ceremony.

Self-solemnization doesn't mean anyone can sign as the officiant. Only the couple themselves can do this. Your friend or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are legally authorized to perform marriages in Colorado, such as being a judge, magistrate, or ordained religious leader.

Age and Residency Rules

You must be at least 18 to marry in Pitkin County without restrictions. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a judge. Colorado changed the law in 2019 with HB19-1316, and now no one under 16 can get married at all. Parental consent is not enough. The only option for 16- and 17-year-olds is to get judicial approval, which is rare.

There is no residency requirement. You can live anywhere in the world and still get a marriage license in Pitkin County. The license is valid anywhere within Colorado for 35 days. If you get married in Pitkin County, the certificate must be returned here for recording. If you get the license in Pitkin County but marry in another Colorado county, return the certificate to that other county where the ceremony took place.

Prohibited marriages are listed in C.R.S. 14-2-110. You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else. You cannot marry close blood relatives like parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. Marriage between first cousins is legal in Colorado.

Recording Your Marriage

Once the ceremony is done and the certificate is signed, it must be filed with the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder. This is what officially records the marriage. The clerk enters the information into the state vital records system. After that, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate.

Certified copies cost $1.25 each if you get them from the county. If you order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the cost is $17 for the first copy. The state processes orders more slowly, so ordering from the county is usually faster.

You need certified copies to change your name, update insurance policies, and for many other legal purposes. Order several copies when you first file the certificate. That way you have extras on hand when you need them. Some people order five or six copies right away.

If you need a copy years later, you can still get one from Pitkin County or from the state. Marriage records are permanent and public, though the original application forms with personal details like Social Security Numbers are kept confidential under Colorado law.

Finding an Officiant in Aspen

If you prefer a traditional ceremony with an officiant, there are many options in the Aspen area. Judges and magistrates from the 9th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. You can contact the Pitkin County Court to ask about judicial officiants. There is usually a fee for this service.

Religious officiants from any denomination can perform marriages in Colorado. The officiant does not need to be registered with the state. Clergy from other states or countries can perform Colorado marriages. Just make sure they know to sign the certificate correctly and return it to Pitkin County within 63 days.

Many wedding planners and venues in Aspen can recommend officiants. Online ordination services like the Universal Life Church are accepted in Colorado, so a friend or family member can become ordained online and legally perform your ceremony. Just verify that they understand the paperwork requirements.

Additional Resources

For general information about marriage licenses in Colorado, visit the state vital records website at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. They have forms, FAQs, and contact information for ordering certified copies from the state.

If you need legal advice, Colorado Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents. Private family law attorneys can also answer questions about marriage, prenuptial agreements, and related topics. The Colorado Bar Association has a lawyer referral service.

For name changes, contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov and the Colorado DMV at dmv.colorado.gov. Both agencies require a certified marriage certificate to process name changes.

Other Mountain County Options

If Pitkin County doesn't work for your schedule, consider these nearby mountain counties:

• Eagle County - Clerk office in Eagle, serves Vail area
• Summit County - Clerk office in Breckenridge
• Garfield County - Clerk office in Glenwood Springs
• Gunnison County - Clerk office in Gunnison

Any Colorado county clerk can issue your license. Choose the location that fits your plans best.