Access Prowers County Marriage License

Prowers County marriage licenses are available through the Clerk and Recorder in Lamar.

Prowers County Clerk Office

Getting a marriage license in Prowers County starts with a visit to the Clerk and Recorder office in Lamar. Both parties must show up together in person. The office is at the county courthouse on Main Street. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours. It's wise to call ahead at (719) 336-8011 to confirm someone will be available to help you, especially if you're coming from out of town.

The license costs $30. This is the standard fee across all Colorado counties, set by state law. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card at most offices, though it's smart to ask about payment methods when you call. The clerk will process your application and issue the license on the spot. There is no waiting period in Colorado, so you can use the license right away.

Prowers County is in southeast Colorado, part of the 15th Judicial District. The county covers a large rural area with Lamar as the largest town. If you live in Wiley, Granada, Holly, or other smaller communities in Prowers County, the Lamar clerk office is your only option for getting a marriage license locally.

Required Documents and Information

Both people need to bring valid identification. A driver's license works best. A state ID card, passport, or military ID is also fine. The ID must have your photo, full name, and date of birth. If your license has a black stripe saying "Not valid for federal identification," check with the clerk first. Some counties won't accept these, though policies vary.

You don't need to bring a birth certificate unless you don't have a photo ID. If you do bring a birth certificate, it must be an original or a certified copy. A photocopy won't work. For people born outside the United States, bring your passport or other government-issued ID from your home country.

The application form asks for specific information required by C.R.S. 14-2-105. You will need to provide your full legal name, current address, date of birth, place of birth, and 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 clerk will provide the form.

The application also asks about your parents. List their full names and addresses if you know them. This is required by state law and not negotiable. If you don't know certain details, fill in what you can. The clerk may work with you if there are legitimate gaps.

If either of you was married before, provide details about that marriage and how it ended. The clerk needs the date of divorce or death, the court location or place of death, and any case numbers. Bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate if you have one. This helps speed things up, though it may not be strictly required.

No Blood Test, No Waiting Period

Colorado does not require blood tests for marriage licenses. This used to be common decades ago, but the law changed. You also don't have to wait after applying. Once the clerk reviews your application and you pay the fee, they hand you the license. You can get married the same day if you want.

The license is valid for 35 days from the date of issue. Plan your wedding within that time frame. If you let it expire, you have to go back and apply for a new license and pay another $30. There is no way to renew or extend the 35-day period.

Marrying Yourself in Prowers County

Colorado is one of very few states that lets couples marry themselves. This is called self-solemnization and is allowed under C.R.S. 14-2-109. You don't need a judge, minister, or any other person to perform the ceremony. Just the two of you can sign the marriage certificate and it's legal.

This option is popular with couples who want a private ceremony or who can't find an officiant. When you get your license in Prowers County, tell the clerk you plan to self-solemnize. They will give you instructions on how to fill out the marriage certificate.

On your wedding day, both of you sign in the section marked for the officiant. Where it asks for a title, write "The Parties to the Marriage." Then sign in the party signature sections as well. You do not need witnesses. Colorado law does not require witness signatures on marriage certificates, though you can have witnesses sign if you want to include them.

After the ceremony, the completed certificate must be returned to Prowers County within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off at the clerk office in Lamar. If you are late, you may face a fee. The base late fee is $20, plus $5 for each additional day up to a maximum of $50 total. To avoid fees, send it back within a week or two of your ceremony.

Some people think that because couples can marry themselves, anyone can officiate. That's not true. Only specific people can sign as the officiant: the couple themselves, a judge, a magistrate, a public official authorized to perform marriages, or a recognized religious or tribal leader. Your friend or cousin can't just sign the certificate unless they meet one of these criteria.

Age Rules in Colorado

You must be 18 or older to get a marriage license in Prowers County without restrictions. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a juvenile court judge. There is no option for parental consent. Colorado law changed in 2019, and now judicial approval is the only way for anyone under 18 to marry. These court orders are rarely granted.

No one under 16 can get married in Colorado. This was changed by House Bill 19-1316. Before that law, younger people could marry with parental and judicial consent, but that is no longer allowed.

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-110 also prohibits certain marriages. You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else. All previous marriages must be legally ended before you can remarry. You cannot marry close blood relatives such as parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. However, marriage between first cousins is legal in Colorado, unlike in many other states.

Where You Can Use the License

A marriage license from Prowers County is valid anywhere in Colorado. You can get the license in Lamar and have your ceremony in Denver, Aspen, or any other part of the state. The license works statewide. It does not work outside Colorado. If you want to marry in another state, you need a license from that state.

The 35-day validity period starts the day the license is issued. Use it before it expires. After your ceremony, the completed certificate must be returned to the county where the ceremony took place for recording. If you get the license in Prowers County and marry in another Colorado county, return the certificate to that other county. If you marry in Prowers County, return it to the Prowers County Clerk and Recorder.

Recording and Certified Copies

Once your ceremony is done and the certificate is signed, it must be filed with the county clerk where the ceremony happened. This is what makes the marriage official. The clerk records the marriage and enters it into the state vital records system.

After recording, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. These are what you use to change your name, update insurance, and prove you are married for legal purposes. The cost is $1.25 per copy if you get them from the county. If you order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, it costs $17 for the first copy. County copies are usually faster.

Order several copies when you first record the marriage. Many people need copies for Social Security, the DMV, banks, insurance companies, and employers. Having extra copies saves time later. Some couples order five or more copies right away.

If you need copies later, you can always get them from Prowers County or from the state vital records office. Marriage certificates are permanent public records. The application form with personal details like Social Security Numbers is confidential under Colorado law, but the recorded certificate is public.

Finding an Officiant

If you prefer a traditional ceremony with an officiant, you have several options in Prowers County. Judges and magistrates from the 15th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. Contact the Prowers County Court to ask about availability and fees.

Religious officiants from any denomination can perform marriages in Colorado. They do not need to be registered with the state or county. Clergy from other states can perform Colorado marriages. Just make sure they understand they need to sign the certificate correctly and return it to the appropriate county within 63 days.

Friends or family members can become ordained online through services like the Universal Life Church. Colorado accepts these online ordinations. Once ordained, they can legally perform your ceremony. Make sure they know how to complete the marriage certificate and return it on time.

Legal Resources and Name Changes

If you have legal questions about marriage in Prowers County, Colorado Legal Services provides free help to low-income residents. You can also consult a private family law attorney. The Colorado Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service.

To change your name after marriage, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Contact the Social Security Administration first at ssa.gov. Once your Social Security card is updated, go to the Colorado DMV at dmv.colorado.gov to change your name on your driver's license. Some banks and insurance companies will also require a certified marriage certificate.

For questions about ordering copies or correcting errors on your marriage certificate, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. They handle all vital records for the state.

Nearby County Clerk Offices

If Prowers County is not convenient, consider these nearby clerk offices:

• Baca County - Clerk office in Springfield
• Bent County - Clerk office in Las Animas
• Kiowa County - Clerk office in Eads
• Otero County - Clerk office in La Junta

You can get a marriage license from any Colorado county. Pick the one that works best for your schedule and location.