San Miguel County Marriage License

San Miguel County marriage licenses come from the Clerk and Recorder in Telluride, a popular destination for mountain weddings.

Getting Your License in Telluride

San Miguel County is home to Telluride, one of Colorado's most scenic mountain towns. Many couples come here for destination weddings. The Clerk and Recorder office handles all marriage license applications. Both parties must appear in person to apply. The office is in downtown Telluride. Call ahead to confirm hours, especially during peak wedding season from June through September.

Bring valid ID such as a driver's license or passport. The clerk will give you an application form. Fill it out with your personal information. Pay the $30 fee. The license is issued immediately. Colorado has no waiting period. You can use it right away. The license is valid for 35 days from the date of issue.

San Miguel County attracts couples from around the world who want to marry in the mountains. 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.

Application Requirements

The application form asks for information required by C.R.S. 14-2-105. You provide your full legal name, date of birth, 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. The clerk has the form.

The form also asks about your parents. You must list their full names and addresses if known. This is a state requirement. If you were married before, provide details about how that marriage ended. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if you have one. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period.

Self-Solemnization in the Mountains

Colorado law under C.R.S. 14-2-109 allows couples to marry themselves without an officiant. This is especially popular in San Miguel County where couples want private ceremonies at scenic mountain locations. You don't need a judge, minister, or anyone else. Just the two of you sign the certificate.

When you get your license, tell the clerk you plan to self-solemnize. They will explain how to complete 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 sections. Witnesses are not required. After the ceremony, return the certificate within 63 days. Late returns may incur a $20 fee plus $5 per day up to $50 total.

Age and Residency Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to marry 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. No one under 16 can marry. 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.

Certain marriages are prohibited under C.R.S. 14-2-110. You cannot marry if you are already married. You cannot marry close blood relatives. Marriage between first cousins is legal in Colorado.

Recording Your Marriage

Once your ceremony is done, the signed certificate must be filed for recording. This makes the marriage official. The clerk records it and enters it into the state vital records system. Certified copies cost $1.25 each from the county. From the state, it costs $17. Order several copies when you first record the marriage. You need them for name changes and other legal purposes.

Finding an Officiant in Telluride

If you want a traditional ceremony with an officiant, judges and magistrates from the 7th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. Religious officiants from any denomination can perform Colorado marriages. They don't need to register. Clergy from other states can perform here. 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 Mountain Counties

If San Miguel County is not convenient, consider these nearby options:

• Ouray County - Clerk office in Ouray
• San Juan County - Clerk office in Silverton
• Montrose County - Clerk office in Montrose
• Dolores County - Clerk office in Dove Creek