Now that you’ve booked your venue, hired your photographer, sent out your invitations and purchased your dress, don’t forget one of your most important steps before getting married: your marriage license!
In Colorado, as in most states, first you obtain a marriage license, then you perform your ceremony, afterwards you file your marriage certificate.
Below is additional information about the legal processes for getting married in Colorado.
Steps to legalizing your marriage in Colorado
Marriage License:
A marriage license is a document that authorizes a couple to get married. You must apply for a license before your wedding and may do so in any county clerk’s office. Both the bride and groom should be present when applying and will need to provide official government identification. You do not have to be a Colorado resident to marry in Colorado. The cost of a Colorado marriage license application is $30. The fee covers processing and your copy of the certificate.
Solemnization of Marriage:
After you have applied for a marriage license, you must solemnize your marriage (perform a wedding ceremony). According to Colorado state law, “a marriage may be solemnized by a judge of a court; by a court magistrate; by a retired judge of the court; by a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages; by Indian tribe officials; by clergy; by the parties to the marriage.” Yes, you read that last part correctly. Colorado is unique in the fact that couples themselves may perform their own wedding ceremony.
On the other hand, Colorado law does not allow a friend or relative to perform a marriage ceremony. The only way for a relative or friend to sign the certificate as an officiate is if they are qualified as a wedding officiate.
Clergy from out-of-state do not have to be registered in Colorado.
Marriage Certificate:
A marriage certificate is a document that proves you and your spouse are legally married. You apply for this after your ceremony has completed. The paperwork for this is generally signed at the ceremony and must include the signatures of the bride, groom, officiate and two witnesses. The officiate is usually the one who sends the certificate to the appropriate county clerk’s office. The certificate must be filed within 60 days of the ceremony. Within a few weeks of filing, the couple will then receive their official copy of the marriage certificate from the county.
Interested in wedding photography or videography for your ceremony? Contact us to book your date.
How the State of Colorado Defines Marriage
Gay Marriage: As of October 7, 2014, the state of Colorado legalized gay marriage and began issuing marriage certificates for same-sex couples.
Civil Unions: Yes, civil unions for gay couples are recognized by the state of Colorado.
Common Law Marriage: Yes, common law marriages are recognized in Colorado.
Cousin Marriage: Yes, in Colorado, two cousins may legally marry.
Minimum Age: To get married in Colorado without parental consent, you must be 18 years of age or older. Individuals who are 16 or 17 may legally marry with the consent of both parents.
Colorado County Clerk’s Coffices
Contact your county clerk’s office for clarification of marriage laws or for additional questions. See below for phone numbers to contact your county clerk.
| Adams County Clerk Brighton, CO 720-523-6020 |
Alamosa County Clerk Alamosa, CO 719-589-6681 |
Arapahoe County Clerk Littleton, CO 303-795-4520 |
| Archuleta County Clerk Pagosa Springs, CO 970-264-5633 |
Bent County Clerk Las Animas, CO 719-456-2009 |
Boulder County Clerk Boulder, CO 303-413-7770 |
| Chaffee County Recorder Salida, CO 719-539-4004 |
Cheyenne County Clerk Cheyenne Wells, CO 719-767-5685 |
Clear Creek County Clerk Georgetown, CO 303-569-3251 |
| Conejos County Clerk Conejos, CO 719-376-5422 |
Costilla County Clerk San Luis, CO 719-672-3301 |
Delta County Clerk Delta, CO 970-874-2150 |
| Denver County Clerk Denver, CO 720-865-8400 |
Douglas County Clerk Castlerock, CO 303-660-7469 |
Eagle County Clerk Eagle, CO 970-328-8710 |
| El Paso County Clerk Colorado Spring, CO 719-520-6200 |
Elbert County Clerk Kiowa, CO 303-621-3129 |
Fremont County Clerk Canon City, CO 719-275-1522 |
| Garfield County Clerk Glenwood Spring, CO 970-945-2377 |
Gilpin County Clerk Central City, CO 303-582-5321 |
Grand County Clerk Hot Sulpher Spring, CO 303-725-3347 |
| Gunnison County Clerk Gunnison, CO 970-641-1516 |
Huerfano County Clerk Wallsenburg, CO 719-738-2380 |
Jackson County Clerk Walden, CO 970-723-4334 |
| Jefferson County Clerk Golden, CO 303-271-8168 |
Kit Carson County Clerk Burlington, CO 719-346-8638 |
La Plata County Clerk Durango, CO 970-382-6283 |
| Lake County Clerk Leadville, CO 719-486-1410 |
Larimer County Clerk Ft. Collins, CO 970-498-7860 |
Las Animas County Trinidad, CO 719-846-3314 |
| Logan County Recorders Sterling, CO 970-522-1544 |
Mesa County Clerk Grand Junction, CO 970-244-1670 |
Moffat County Clerk Craig, CO 970-824-5484 |
| Montezuma County Clerk Cortez, CO 970-565-3728 |
Montrose County Clerk Montrose, CO 970-249-3362 |
Morgan County Clerk Fort Morgan, CO 970-867-5616 |
| Otero County Clerk La Junta, CO 719-383-3020 |
Ouray County Clerks Ouray, CO 970-325-4961 |
Park County Clerk Fairplay, CO 719-836-2771 |
| Phillips County Clerk Holyoke, CO 970-854-3131 |
Pitkin County Clerk Aspen, CO 970-920-5180 |
Prowers County Clerk Lamar, CO 719-336-4337 |
| Pueblo County Clerk Pueblo, CO 719-583-6000 |
Rio Blanco County Meeker, CO 970-878-5068 |
Rio Grande County Clerk Del Norte, CO 719-657-3334 |
| Routt County Clerk Steamboat Springs, CO 970-879-1710 |
San Juan County Clerk Silverton, CO 303-387-5671 |
San Miguel County Clerk Telluride, CO 970-728-3954 |
| Summit County Clerk Breckenridge, CO 970-453-3475 |
Teller County Clerk Cripple Creek, CO 719-689-2951 |
Washington County Clerk Akron, CO 970-345-6565 |
| Weld County Clerk Greeley, CO 970-353-3840 |
Yuma County Clerk Wray, CO 970-332-5809 |
Additional Resources & Information
- Tips for Choosing a Venue in Colorado
- How to Choose a Wedding Photographer
- A Guide to Budgeting Your Wedding
Get an estimate for wedding photography and videography prices.
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