Washington County Marriage License

Washington County issues marriage licenses at the Clerk and Recorder office in Akron.

Washington County Clerk Office

Washington County is a rural area in northeast Colorado. The county seat is Akron, and that's where you go to get a marriage license. Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk and Recorder office. The office is at the county courthouse. Call ahead to confirm hours before making the trip.

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. Colorado has no waiting period. You can use it right away. 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 Washington County, return it to Akron. If you marry elsewhere in Colorado, return it to that county.

What You Need to Apply

The application asks for information required by C.R.S. 14-2-105. You provide your full name, date of birth, place of birth, current address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you don't have one, you sign an affidavit. The clerk has the form. The form also asks about your parents. List their full names and addresses if known. This is required by state law. If you were married before, provide details about how that marriage ended. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period.

Self-Solemnization Option

Colorado allows couples to marry themselves without an officiant under C.R.S. 14-2-109. When you get your license, tell the clerk if you plan to self-solemnize. On your wedding day, both of you sign in the officiant section. Write "The Parties to the Marriage" as the title. Witnesses are not required. Return the certificate within 63 days.

Age and Legal Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to marry without restrictions. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado. There is no residency requirement. 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. Marriage between first cousins is legal in Colorado.

Recording and Copies

Once your ceremony is done, the signed certificate must be filed for recording. 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's $17. Order several copies when you first record the marriage.

Finding an Officiant

If you want a traditional ceremony, judges from the 13th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. Religious officiants from any denomination can perform Colorado marriages. Friends or family can become ordained online through services like the Universal Life Church.

Additional Resources

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

Nearby County Options

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

• Yuma County - Clerk office in Wray
• Phillips County - Clerk office in Holyoke
• Logan County - Clerk office in Sterling
• Morgan County - Clerk office in Fort Morgan