Saguache County Marriage License Search

Saguache County marriage licenses are issued through the Clerk and Recorder office in the town of Saguache.

Getting a License in Saguache County

Saguache County is a large rural county in south-central Colorado. The county seat is the small town of Saguache, and that's where you go to get a marriage license. Both parties must show up in person to apply. The clerk office is at the county courthouse. Hours are typically Monday through Friday during normal business hours, but call ahead to confirm.

Bring valid ID like a driver's license or passport. Each person needs one form of identification. The clerk will give you an application form to fill out. Once you complete it and pay the $30 fee, they issue your license right away. Colorado has no waiting period. You can use the license immediately. It's valid for 35 days from the date of issue.

The license works anywhere in Colorado. After your ceremony, the signed certificate must be returned to the county where the ceremony took place within 63 days. If you marry in Saguache County, return it to this office. If you marry elsewhere in Colorado, return it to that county.

Application Requirements

The application form asks for information required by Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-105. You provide 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 clerk has the form.

You must list your parents' full names and addresses if known. This is a state requirement and not optional. Fill in what you can. If you don't know certain details, the clerk may work with you. If either person was married before, provide information about how that marriage ended. The form asks for the date of divorce or death, the court location, and any case numbers. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if you have it.

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

Self-Solemnization Option

Colorado allows couples to marry themselves without an officiant. This is called self-solemnization and is authorized by 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.

When you pick up your license in Saguache County, tell the clerk if you plan to self-solemnize. They will give you instructions on how to complete the marriage 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 sections as well. Witnesses are not required, though you can have them if you want.

After the ceremony, return the completed certificate to Saguache County within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off. If you are late, you may pay a $20 late fee plus $5 per day up to a maximum of $50 total. Self-solemnization does not mean anyone can officiate. Only the couple themselves can do this. Your friend cannot sign as the officiant unless they are legally authorized.

Age and Legal Rules

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Saguache 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 law changed 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. The license is valid anywhere in Colorado for 35 days but not outside the state. If you want to marry in another state, you need a license from that state.

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

Recording Your Marriage

Once your ceremony is done and the certificate is signed, it must be filed with the county clerk 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 costs $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 want a traditional ceremony with an officiant, judges and magistrates from the 12th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. Contact the Saguache County Court to ask about availability and fees. Religious officiants from any denomination can perform marriages in Colorado. They don't need to register. Clergy from other states can perform Colorado marriages. Friends or family can become ordained online through services like the Universal Life Church. Colorado recognizes these ordinations.

Additional Resources

For questions about marriage licenses in Colorado, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. For legal advice, Colorado Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents. To change your name, contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov and the Colorado DMV at dmv.colorado.gov.

Nearby County Options

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

• Alamosa County - Clerk office in Alamosa
• Rio Grande County - Clerk office in Del Norte
• Mineral County - Clerk office in Creede
• Chaffee County - Clerk office in Salida