Search Weld County Marriage License

Weld County marriage licenses are issued through the Clerk and Recorder office in Greeley, serving one of Colorado's most populous counties.

Weld County Clerk and Recorder

Weld County is one of the largest counties in Colorado with a population over 328,000. The county seat is Greeley, where the Clerk and Recorder office is located. The office handles marriage licenses for residents of Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, Fort Lupton, and all other communities in Weld County. Both parties must appear in person to apply.

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

The license is valid 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 Weld County, return it to the Greeley office. If you get the license here but marry elsewhere in Colorado, return it to that county.

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 and not optional. If you don't know certain details, fill in what you can. If either person was married before, provide details about how that marriage ended. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if you have it. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period in Colorado.

Self-Solemnization in Colorado

Colorado is one of the few states that 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 and it's legal.

When you get your license in Weld 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 Weld County within 63 days. You can mail it or drop it off at the clerk office in Greeley. 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 or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are legally authorized.

Age and Legal Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Weld 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 do not need to live in Colorado to get a license here. Many couples come from other states. The license is valid anywhere in Colorado for 35 days but not outside the state.

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.

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 Weld 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. Many people order five or more copies right away.

Finding an Officiant in Weld County

If you prefer a traditional ceremony with an officiant, you have several options. Judges and magistrates from the 19th Judicial District can perform civil ceremonies. Contact the Weld County Court to ask about availability and fees. Religious officiants from any denomination can perform marriages in Colorado. They do not need to register with the state or county. 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. Make sure they know how to complete the marriage certificate and return it to Weld County 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 about marriage and related topics.

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.

Cities in Weld County

Weld County includes several cities and towns. Greeley is the largest with over 108,000 residents. Other communities include Evans, Windsor, Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, Fort Lupton, Johnstown, Brighton, Thornton (partial), and many smaller towns. All residents get their marriage licenses from the Weld County Clerk and Recorder in Greeley.

Nearby County Options

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

• Larimer County - Clerk office in Fort Collins
• Adams County - Clerk office in Brighton
• Boulder County - Clerk office in Boulder
• Morgan County - Clerk office in Fort Morgan

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