Summit County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Summit County are issued through the Clerk and Recorder office, serving Breckenridge, Keystone, Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon.

Summit County Clerk and Recorder

Summit County is one of the most popular locations for mountain weddings in Colorado. The area includes Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon. The Clerk and Recorder office handles all marriage license applications. Appointments are required for anyone who is not a Summit County resident. If you provide a Summit County physical address, you can walk in without an appointment.

Both parties must appear in person. Bring valid ID like 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. The process takes about 20 minutes. There is no waiting period in Colorado. You can use the license right away.

Appointment times are available at 9:00am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm Monday through Friday. All times are Mountain Standard Time. Schedule your appointment in advance, as they book up quickly during peak wedding season. The license is valid for 35 days from the date of issue. After your ceremony, the completed certificate must be returned within 63 days.

How to Apply

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 and not optional. If you were married before, provide details about how that marriage ended. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if you have it. No blood test or testing is required in Colorado. There is no waiting period.

Summit County processes licenses quickly. The entire visit takes about 20 minutes. The license is issued the same day. You can get married immediately if you want. Just plan your ceremony within the 35-day validity period.

Self-Solemnization for Mountain Weddings

Colorado is one of the few states that allows couples to marry themselves. This is called self-solemnization and is authorized by C.R.S. 14-2-109. Many couples in Summit County choose this option so they can have private ceremonies at scenic mountain locations without needing to bring an officiant.

When you get your license, tell the clerk you plan to self-solemnize. They will explain 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. No officiant is needed. No judge or minister required. Just the two of you.

Witnesses are not required in Colorado. You can have witnesses if you want, but the law does not mandate them. After the ceremony, return the completed certificate to Summit County within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off. If you're late, you may pay a late fee of $20 plus $5 per day up to a maximum of $50.

Self-solemnization does not mean anyone can officiate. Only the couple themselves can do this. Your friend or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are legally authorized, such as being a judge, magistrate, or ordained religious leader. The Clerk's Office does not need any paperwork or communication from officiants performing ceremonies in Summit County.

Age and Legal Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Summit County without restrictions. If you are 16 or 17, contact the clerk office in advance for information about required documentation such as parental or judicial consent. Under current Colorado law, a court order is required for anyone under 18. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado.

There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Colorado to get a license here. Many couples come from other states or countries to marry in the Summit County area. 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 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.

Summit County Specific Policies

The Summit County Clerk and Recorder's office has a few important policies to note. They have multiple divisions of government services in one small area and cannot accommodate anyone other than the two applying parties to the marriage. The office is not a location for a ceremony with an audience of any size. If you want to bring family and friends, plan your ceremony elsewhere.

Colorado marriage licenses are only valid for ceremonies that take place in Colorado. The license must be used within 35 days including the date of issue. If you don't use it within that time, it becomes void. The completed license must be returned to the County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days after the solemnization.

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 the marriage and enters it into the state vital records system. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate.

Certified copies cost $1.25 each from Summit County. If you order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, it costs $17 for the first copy. County copies are usually processed faster. Order several copies when you first record the marriage. You need them for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes.

Finding an Officiant

If you prefer a traditional ceremony with an officiant, you have several options. Judges and magistrates can perform civil ceremonies. Religious officiants from any denomination can perform marriages in Colorado. They do not 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 online ordinations. Once ordained, they can legally perform your ceremony. The clerk office does not need any paperwork or communication from officiants. The officiant just needs to sign the certificate correctly and return it to Summit County within 63 days.

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 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 to process name changes.

Nearby Mountain County Options

If Summit County is not convenient, consider these nearby options:

• Eagle County - Clerk office in Eagle, serves Vail area
• Grand County - Clerk office in Hot Sulphur Springs
• Park County - Clerk offices in Fairplay and Bailey
• Clear Creek County - Clerk office in Georgetown

You can get a marriage license from any Colorado county. Choose the location that fits your plans best.