How to Get Married in Colorado

1. How Do I Get a Colorado Marriage License?

You gotta get a marriage license, which you can pick up at any Colorado County Clerk’s office. You’ll have to pick the form up in person, and the whole process can take 30 minutes or less! The license costs $30, so make sure you bring enough mullah.

2. Can I Apply Online for a Colorado Marriage License?

Depending on the county, you sure can! You’ll be able to fill out the application ahead of time, but both parties need to pick it up in person together.

3. Do I Need a Social Security Number?

If you have a social security number, you are required to provide it. If you do not have a social security number (you are from another country or are in the process of getting your citizenship), you are not required to provide it.

4. What Documents Do I Need to Bring With Me to Obtain My Marriage License?

To obtain your license you’ll need to provide your name, sex, address, social security number (if you have one), the date and place of birth of each party getting married, proof of your date of birth, and where you are getting married (must be in Colorado). Proof of date-of-birth can be either a driver’s license, military ID, state-issued ID, or passport.

5. Where Do I Return My Marriage License?

It’s important to note that while you can pick up a marriage license at any county clerk’s office, you have to file the filled out license (with your signatures and everything) at the same County Clerk office where it came from.

6. Is There a Waiting Period to Get the License, or a Time Limit to Return It?

There’s no waiting period to get the license, beyond whoever is in line in front of you. You can sign it the day you receive it. While it doesn’t have to be signed that minute, it must be signed within 35 days of receiving it from the County Clerk. It has to be filled out and returned at the same County Clerk’s Office within 63 days.

7. You’ll Need Your Parent’s Name and Address as Well

This is to make sure you are complying with Colorado state law that prohibits marriage between blood relatives. You’ll need to confirm that both sets of parents are not related.

8. Do I Need an Officiant or Witnesses for My Marriage License?

Nope! You do not need an officiant or witness. Colorado allows you to self-solemnize your own wedding, meaning you can be your own officiants! You also don’t need human witnesses.

9. I Don’t Need Human Witnesses, But Can My Dogs, Cats, and Alpacas Witness My Marriage?

Abso-freakn-lutely! Your furbabies can certainly witness your marriage, because they are there, are your family, and care deeply about your happiness and well-being. Colorado’s dope like that. Bring an ink pad so you can get their paws on your marriage license!

10. What if I’m Widowed or Divorced?

If you are widowed or divorced you’ll need extra documentation – party’s married name, and the date, place and court in which the marriage was dissolved or declared invalid. Or the date and place of death of the former spouse.

11. Do I Sign the Marriage License with My Pre-Wedding Name or My New Name?

You’ll have to sign your marriage license with the name you had prior to the wedding.

12. Can I Get Copies of My License?

Definitely! For the low low cost of $1.25 you can get official copies of your marriage license. I recommend getting 5. If you want to be super EXTRA, get 100 and plaster them all over your rooms and bathrooms and in little kitchen cabinets as fun little reminders to yourself.

13. I’m From Another State, Should I Get a Colorado Marriage License or Bring One From My State?

Most states require you to get married within their state boundaries in order to file a marriage license there. Check with your state’s laws to see if this pertains to you. The safest and easiest way to do it? Get a Colorado marriage license and file it with the Colorado County Clerk.

14. Can I Mail My Colorado Marriage License and Marriage Certificate Back to the County Clerk for Filing?

You sure can. When you apply for your license you’ll get a return envelope. Put that wonderful doc in that envelope, seal it tight, and mail it in on time! You’ll get all your official docs back in the mail.

15. What’s the Difference Between a Marriage License and Marriage Certificate?

Great question! A marriage license is a legal document that allows you to get married. It’s the application. The marriage certificate is the document you get after you submit the license. It’s the official document saying you are married!

16. How Do I Fill Out My Colorado Marriage License?

Great question! Here are official examples from Denver County on how to fill out your marriage license, depending upon whether or not you you have an officiant or are self-solemnizing.

17. Why Should I Even Get Married in Colorado?

Colorado is gorgeous. I’m talking about gob smacking what is real gorgeousness. You got mountains. You got rivers. You got nature. You got snow. You got animals. You got rainbows. We got it all! Seriously though, this is one of the most epic places you can get married, and it’s right here in the good ole United States of America. We also got some pretty wonderful cities filled with activities, delicious craft beer, and wonderful people (like me). I can’t stress enough all the reasons why you should get married here. I think they are endless.

18. Where Should I Get Married in Colorado?

Excellent question! There are so so many fantastic locations all over Colorado. I’ve written a blog post about this exact topic – you should check it out here. If you decide I’m the photographer for you, I’ll work with you to find even more *secret* less known places that’ll blow ya away.

Meet the Best Colorado Elopement Photographer for You

Hi there! I’m Adam, and my favorite thing in the world is helping couples just like you plan their perfect elopement. Whatever your ideal day looks like, I’m here to help you make it happen.

If you’re ready to start planning or just have some questions to decide which Colorado elopement package is right for you, I’d love to hear from you.