Rio Grande County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Rio Grande County come from the Clerk and Recorder office in Del Norte.

Getting Your Marriage License

Rio Grande County sits in the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. The county seat is Del Norte, and that's where the Clerk and Recorder office is located. Both people must come to this office in person to apply for a marriage license. No appointments are typically needed, but it's smart to call ahead to confirm someone will be there when you arrive.

Bring valid ID. A driver's license or passport works fine. The clerk will give you an application form. Fill it out with your personal information. Once done, pay the $30 fee. The clerk reviews everything and issues your license right away. There is no waiting period in Colorado. You can use the license immediately.

The license is good for 35 days from the date it's issued. Plan your wedding within that time frame. If you don't use it within 35 days, it expires and you would need to apply again. After your ceremony, the signed certificate must be returned to the county where the ceremony took place for recording.

Application Requirements

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-105 sets what information you must provide on the application. You need your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and current address. The form also asks for the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you don't have one, you can sign an affidavit instead.

The form asks about your parents. You list their full names and addresses if known. This is a state requirement and not optional. If you don't know some details, fill in what you can. The clerk will work with you if there are gaps.

If either person was married before, you must provide information about how that marriage ended. The form asks for the date of divorce or death, the location, and any case numbers. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if you have it. This can help verify you're free to remarry.

No blood test is required in Rio Grande County or anywhere in Colorado. This requirement was dropped years ago. There is also no waiting period. Once your application is approved and the fee is paid, you get your license immediately.

Self-Solemnization Option

Colorado is one of the 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 officiant. Just the two of you sign the marriage certificate and it's legal.

When you pick up your license in Rio Grande County, tell the clerk if you plan to self-solemnize. They will give you instructions. 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 sections.

Witnesses are not required in Colorado. You can have witnesses if you want, but the law doesn't mandate them. After the ceremony, return the completed certificate to the county where the ceremony occurred within 63 days. Late returns may incur a fee of $20 plus $5 per day up to $50 total.

Self-solemnization doesn't mean anyone can officiate. Only the couple can do this. Your friend can't sign as the officiant unless they're legally authorized, such as being a judge or ordained clergy.

Age and Legal Rules

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Rio Grande County without restrictions. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order from a juvenile judge. Parental consent alone is not enough. Colorado changed the law in 2019. Judicial approval is now the only way for minors to marry, and these orders are rarely granted. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado.

There is no residency requirement. You don't need to live in Colorado to get a license here. Many couples come from other states. The license works anywhere in Colorado for 35 days but not outside the state.

Some marriages are prohibited under C.R.S. 14-2-110. You can't marry if you're already married to someone else. You can't marry close blood relatives like parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews. Marriage between first cousins is allowed in Colorado.

Where You Can Use the License

A marriage license from Rio Grande County is valid throughout Colorado. Get it in Del Norte and marry anywhere in the state. The license does not work in other states. If you want to marry outside Colorado, you need a license from that state.

After your ceremony, the signed certificate must be returned for recording. Return it to the county where the ceremony took place. If you marry in Rio Grande County, bring it back to Del Norte. If you marry in another Colorado county, return it there.

Recording Your Marriage

Once the ceremony is done and the certificate is signed, it must be filed for recording. This makes the marriage official. The clerk records it and enters it into the state vital records system. You can then order certified copies.

Certified copies cost $1.25 each from the county. From the state, it's $17. County copies are usually faster. Order several copies when you first record the marriage. You need them for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. Many people order five or more copies right away.

Finding an Officiant

If you prefer a traditional ceremony with an officiant, judges and magistrates from the 12th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. Contact the Rio Grande County Court to ask about availability and fees. Religious officiants from any denomination can perform marriages in Colorado. They don't need to register with the state. Clergy from other states can perform Colorado marriages.

Friends or family members can become ordained online through services like the Universal Life Church. Colorado recognizes these ordinations. Once ordained, they can legally perform your ceremony. Make sure they know how to complete the certificate and return it within 63 days.

Additional Resources

For questions about marriage licenses in Colorado, visit the state vital records website at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. They have forms, FAQs, and contact information. For legal advice, Colorado Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents. Private family law attorneys can also answer questions.

To change your name after marriage, contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov first. 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. Both agencies require a certified marriage certificate.

Nearby County Options

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

• Alamosa County - Clerk office in Alamosa
• Saguache County - Clerk office in Saguache
• Mineral County - Clerk office in Creede
• Conejos County - Clerk office in Conejos

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