Colorado Marriage Licenses:
How to Get Legally
Married in Colorado
Everything you need to know about colorado marriage licenses
Getting legally married might not be the thing you think about first when planning your Colorado elopement. But especially if you’re traveling from out-of-state, it’s important to know how to obtain a marriage license in Colorado – what’s required, where to apply, and how to make sure you have all the boring stuff squared away in time for your ceremony.
I’ve helped couples plan elopements and weddings all over the state, so I’ve got the inside scoop on how to get your Colorado marriage license – and make sure that paperwork doesn’t put a damper on the elopement of your dreams!
What Are the Steps For Getting a Marriage License in Colorado?
01/
Make An Appointment
Some counties in Colorado accept walk-ins to apply for a marriage license, but many require you to make an appointment in advance.
Even if it isn’t required, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to make sure you’re able to get your license in time for your ceremony!
02/
Fill Out Your Application
You and your partner will want to sit down together to fill out your marriage license application before your appointment.
Some counties require you to fill out an electronic application online, and others have a paper application you can bring to the county clerk’s office.
You can find the links to marriage license applications for each county below!
03/
Get Your License
Collect all your documents and head to the county clerk’s office.
At minimum, you’ll each need to bring an ID, passport, or birth certificate; your social security number; and proof of dissolution if either of you have been previously married.
Some counties also ask for information like your place of birth and the names and addresses of your parents, so make sure you check the clerk’s website before you go!
04/
Sign Your License
After you pick up your license from the clerk’s office, you’ll have 35 days to use it.
Both you and partner will need to sign the marriage license – but because Colorado is a self-solemnization state, you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to sign it!
(Keep reading for more details about self-solemnization in Colorado.)
05/
Return Your License
After you sign your license, you have 63 days to return it to the county clerk’s office, either in-person or by mail (in some counties). The clerk’s office will notarize the license and mail it back to you!
Colorado Marriage License Rules
You can Get a Marriage License From Any Colorado County
. . . even if it’s not the one you’re getting married in! Colorado marriage licenses issued by any Colorado county can be used anywhere in the state.
This can make it a bit easier to find an appointment time before your ceremony that works for you, or a county clerk’s office that’s on your way to your ceremony location.
The only stipulation is that Colorado marriage licenses do have to be used in the state of Colorado!
You Have 35 Days to Use Your Marriage License
Colorado marriage licenses must be used within 35 days of picking them up from the county clerk’s office, and returned back to the office within 63 days of signing.
This is especially important if you’re traveling from out of state for your Colorado elopement or wedding! You’ll want to make sure you schedule your appointment with the county clerk’s office within 35 days of your ceremony date.
You’ll also want to schedule enough time after your wedding or elopement to drop off your license with the county clerk before you hit the road. One nice thing to know, is that anyone can return your license for you. So if you have a trusted friend or family member along for the ride, you can ask them to do this task for you!
You Don’t Need an Officiant or Witnesses
Colorado is a self-solemnization state, which means that you and your partner can “solemnize” (i.e., perform the wedding ceremony) yourselves!
You don’t need an officiant or witnesses to perform your ceremony OR sign your marriage license – though plenty of couples still include these in their Colorado weddings and elopements!
If you do choose not to have witnesses, you can simply sign the “officiant” portion of the license yourselves and write “not required” on the witness signature lines. Or you can do something a little more creative . . .
Your Dog Can Sign Your Marriage License
In most Colorado counties, your dog (or other furry friend) can sign your marriage license instead of a human witness!
This is such a sweet way to honor the furriest member of your family, and it’s easy to do mess-free with an ink pad like this one.
However, there are three Colorado counties that do NOT accept marriage licenses with paw prints: Araphoe County, Denver County, and El Paso County. Just make sure to choose a different county clerk’s office if you want your dog to sign your Colorado marriage license!
Colorado Marriage Licenses Only Cost 30 Dollars
Regardless of which county you get it from, the fee for a Colorado marriage is $30.
Most counties accept cash, check, or credit card at your appointment.
You can also request extra certified copies of your marriage license for $1.25 each.
How to Get a Marriage License in Each Colorado County
Colorado is divided into 64 counties, and each one has its own clerk and recorder’s office. Fortunately, you don’t need to get a license in the same county you’re getting married in, so you can actually pick the county that’s most convenient for you!
Here are the rules for some of the most popular counties for Colorado weddings and elopements – but you can find the full list of counties below!
How to Get a Marriage License in
Denver County
Denver is a popular choice for couples traveling from out of state to get their Colorado marriage license.
Appointments are required to get a marriage license in Denver, but they offer both in-person and online appointments, which makes the process really convenient! You can schedule an appointment up to 7 days in advance, and keep in mind that the online slots go quickly. You’ll also need to fill out a marriage application online before you schedule your appointment.
One important thing to remember if you decide to get your marriage license here is that Denver does not accept licenses with paw prints – so if you want your dog to sign your Colorado marriage license, you’ll have to choose a different county!
Want more info about how to elope in Gunnison County? Take a peek at my Crested Butte Elopement Guide!
How to Get a Marriage License in
Gunnison County
Gunnison County is home to Crested Butte, one of my favorite Colorado mountain towns! It’s also less busy than bigger counties like Denver, which makes it a good choice for obtaining your Colorado marriage license before your ceremony if you’re in a time crunch.
The county’s recording office is located in the town of Gunnison, about 30 minutes from Crested Butte. Appointments are required to get a marriage license in Gunnison County, which you can make by phone. You’ll also need to fill out a paper application and bring that, along with your IDs, to your appointment.
How to Get a Marriage License in
Larimer County
Larimer County is home to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most popular places to elope in Colorado!
Larimer County has three clerk and recorder offices, located in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. The Estes Park location is most convenient for couples getting married in the national park, but the county does warn that Estes Park and Loveland typically have longer wait times for marriage licenses than Fort Collins.
Appointments are required at both the Estes Park and Loveland locations – and recommended in Fort Collins, though walk-ins are allowed. The county also recommends filling out your marriage license application online beforehand to save time during your appointment.
Hoping to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out my RMNP Elopement Guide for all the details!
How to Get a Marriage License in
Ouray County
Ouray County is home to the quaint mountain towns of Ouray and Ridgway – as well as so many amazing mountain passes, alpine lakes, and tranquil aspen-lined trails to explore.
Ouray County’s clerk and recorder processes marriage license applications on a walk-in basis, Monday through Thursday. The county does not have an application to fill out online – so just make sure you’ve got your ID (and your partner) and head to the Ouray County courthouse to get your Colorado marriage license.
How to Get a Marriage License in
Summit County
Summit County encompasses a lot of popular Colorado elopement destinations – including Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone, and Silverthorne.
Unlike in most other counties, however, the process of applying for a Colorado marriage license in Summit County is different if you’re coming from out-of-state.
Summit County residents can apply for a license in person, without an appointment, and the whole process only takes about 20 minutes. For Colorado residents from other counties, Summit County recommends applying for a marriage license in your home county.
The process for out-of-state applicants is a little more complicated. You’ll need to book an appointment in advance, and the slots are pretty limited. Summit County recommends checking out nearby counties if you’re traveling for your wedding and you’re unable to snag an appointment in the timeframe you need.
Read all about eloping in Summit County in my Breckenridge Elopement Guide!
Ready to plan your Colorado Elopement?
Reach out to me and let’s start chatting about the perfect elopement day for you and your partner—with the views of your dreams and the adventure of a lifetime. No matter what you’re picturing for your wedding day, I’m here to help you execute every last detail.
Hey there, the name’s Sam! I cannot wait to chat with you.
This is gonna be epic.
