How to Get Married in Colorado

If you’ve chosen to elope in Colorado, you might have some questions about how to actually legally get married. Here’s everything you need to know about self-solemnization, marriage licenses, and what they all mean for your elopement!

What is Self-Solemnization?

Self-solemnization, sometimes called a “self-uniting” marriage, means that couples do not need an officiant or witnesses to get legally married – essentially, you can marry yourselves!

In Colorado, one of the few U.S. states where self-solemnization is allowed, this gives you the freedom to create an entirely personal ceremony wherever you’d like. All you and your partner need to do is sign the marriage license (no other signatures besides your own are needed) and return it to the county clerk office, and your marriage will be legally recognized in all of the United States! (More on this process in a moment.)

What States Allow Self-Solemnization?

Considering some other options besides Colorado?

Washington D.C. is the only other state that allows self-solemnization without any restrictions or extra forms.

These are the seven other states that also allow self-solemnization, but they all have some kind of additional condition:

• Wisconsin – Requires an additional form signed which states that you understand the marriage might not be recognized in all contexts. 
• Pennsylvania – Allows for two witnesses to sign the marriage license in place of an officiant.
• California – Allows self-solemnization for couples who identify as “non-clergy” believers, but still requires two witness signatures.
• Illinois – Allows self-solemnization for indigenous or religious ceremonies.
• Kansas, Nevada, and Maine – Allow self-solemnization if you identify as part of the Quaker or “Friends” religion and get married according to their conditions.
  

How to Get A Marriage License in Colorado

1. Figure out which county you’ll be in or closest to

You can get your marriage license in any county, no matter where exactly in Colorado you’ll be getting married. For convenience, research which County Clerk’s office will be closest to where you’ll be staying or along your travel route. In many counties, getting the marriage license requires an in-person appointment, so you’ll want to make sure you find an office close to you. Some counties also offer online appointments, but you’ll need to have a Colorado mailing address for the license to be mailed to you (so if you’re coming to Colorado from out of state, you’ll need to schedule an in-person appointment).

2. Apply for your marriage license

First, make sure you have all the appropriate documentation for you and your partner:

• Both you and your partner must bring one of these valid forms of identification:
  • U.S. state-issued driver’s license or permit
  • U.S. state-issued ID
  • U.S. military ID
  • Passport that includes the English language, or passport with a certified English language translation
• Social Security Number: You are required to provide a Social Security Number if you have one. If either you or your partner do not have a Social Security Number, it’s not required to get married.
• Birth certificates, baptismal certificates and Foreign Consular IDs are not acceptable forms of identification for marriage or civil union licenses. A birth certificate may be used to confirm date of birth when presented along with one of the valid forms of identification listed above. 

You will also be asked the following:

• The date that you are getting married
• Where you are marrying (the marriage license is only valid in Colorado) 
• The exact date and location of your divorce or previous spouse’s death, if applicable. Both parties must be able to provide this information. If you were previously in a civil union and are marrying someone else, you must provide the name of your partner in the civil union.
• The city and state where parents of both parties were born

Cost: In most cases, the marriage license in Colorado costs $30.

3. Signing the Marriage License

You and Your Partner

Your’s and your partner’s signatures are the only ones that are needed. If you would like to include witnesses or an officiant in your ceremony, you may include their signatures on the marriage license as well.

Your Dog

In Colorado, your dog can sign your marriage license! If you’d like to include their paw print, be sure to get a pet-safe ink pad to transfer their signature.

4. Return Your Marriage License

After your wedding day, send your signed marriage license back to the County Clerk’s Office you obtained it from via mail or in-person.

Your license certificate is valid upon the date issued and must be signed in Colorado within 35 days from the date of issue. 

The license must be returned for recording within 63 days of marriage to avoid extra fees. 

Read More About Eloping In Colorado!

This guide contains information on the best Colorado elopement locations, when to elope, and so much more.

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