Want To Get Married In Colorado? Here’s The Paperwork.

There is no shortage of reasons couples choose to elope in Colorado. Mountains, lakes, alpine trails, take your pick. The good news is that the marriage license part is kind of like a snow plunge. Bracing at first, then surprisingly straightforward. Below, we walk through Colorado marriage license instructions so you can get legally married in the Centennial State, covering what to prep ahead of time, what happens at the clerk’s office, and what to know on the day you say “we do.”

Legal Requirements

Age Requirements

If you are 18 or older, congratulations, you can apply for a marriage license in Colorado without parental consent, court orders, or additional hoops to jump through. At that point, the state considers you fully capable of making this decision on your own, no supervision required.

The process is pretty easy. You show up with the required documents. You submit your application and move on with your day. There is no waiting period tied to age. No extra approvals or follow-up paperwork. If you are over 18, all you have to do is apply, sign, and keep it moving. Boom. 

Previously Married? 

If you have been married before, the state will want proof that chapter is officially closed and truly donnnnnnnne. A divorce decree or a death certificate of a former spouse will take care of this requirement. Colorado does not need the full backstory, but it does need documentation that all previous marriages have been legally dissolved.

Make sure this paperwork is finalized and accessible before you apply for a new marriage license. Colorado is generally relaxed about the process, but it is firm on this point. Clean paperwork matters, and unresolved legal ties will slow things down fast.

It Doesn’t Matter Where You Live

Colorado does not require you to be a resident of the state to obtain a marriage license. You do not need to live here, own property here, or have a Colorado address memorized. If you are legally eligible to marry, you are welcome to apply.

You can file for your marriage license at any County Clerk’s office in Colorado, no matter where you plan to hold your ceremony. The county where you apply and the location where you exchange vows do not need to match. This flexibility makes planning easier, especially if you are traveling, eloping in the mountains, or choosing a location far from the nearest clerk’s office.

All The Prep Work

Once you have reviewed the requirements, your next step is to make an appointment with the County Clerk. Type this into your phone’s GPS: 201 W. Colfax Avenue, and it’ll take you to The Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder. Fortunately, you are not required to visit the clerk in the county where your ceremony will take place. Any County Clerk’s office in Colorado will do, so choose the one that is closest or easiest to reach.

The marriage license process itself is quick, but booking an appointment can save you time, especially if your schedule is tight. Fewer lines, less waiting, and a smoother experience overall.

After your appointment is scheduled, complete the online application. This step is mostly about convenience. As long as you meet the age requirements, your online application will not be denied. Submitting your information in advance allows the clerk to prepare the paperwork ahead of time, instead of having you fill everything out by hand in the office.

Bonus tip. Take a quick look at upcoming holidays or planned office closures around your wedding date and plan accordingly. You don’t want to show up and have them be closed because you forgot it’s President’s Day. 

Documents You’ll Need

The paperwork part only works if you bring the right paperwork. Naturally. When applying for a marriage license in Colorado, there are a few documents you will need to have ready. Here is what counts as acceptable ID and what, if anything, you should bring with you to the clerk’s office. 

Here’s your checklist: 

• Valid state-issued driver’s license or ID card
• Passport
• Military ID
• Tribal ID card
• Consular ID card
• Social Security numbers for both parties (you don’t need to bring the actual cards, just the numbers).
• If applicable, proof of dissolution for previous marriages (divorce decree or death certificate).

Fees And Payment

There is no such thing as a free meal, and marriage licenses are no exception. The good news is that Colorado keeps the cost reasonable and predictable. To help you plan ahead, here is a clear breakdown of the fees required to obtain your marriage license, along with the payment methods typically accepted by County Clerk offices.

Fee Breakdown

The cost of a marriage license in Colorado is $30.00. This fee is set by the state and is the same no matter which County Clerk’s office you visit. Payment is typically accepted by cash, check, or credit card, but call to confirm ahead of time.

Additional Costs

If you need certified copies of your marriage certificate, they are available for $1.25 each. These are often required for name changes or other legal updates, so ordering a few extras can be helpful.

P.S. If your completed license must be returned within 63 days of the wedding. If not, a late filing fee may apply. That’s not the sort of wedding gift you want… just get it done. 

In The Clerk’s Office

When it comes time to file for your marriage license, both partners need to show up in person. This keeps the process quick and uncomplicated.

If one partner cannot attend, an absentee affidavit is an option. The form must be notarized, and you will need photocopies of the absent partner’s identification, proof of age, and Social Security information. Plan ahead so this does not slow things down.

Common Law Marriages

Common law marriage is legally recognized in Colorado. No ceremony or license is required, but you must meet specific legal criteria. These typically include living together and holding yourselves out to others as a married couple. Simply calling each other spouses once does not count.

Self Solemnization

Self solemnization is another option Colorado offers. Couples are allowed to marry themselves. You don’t even need an officiant. As long as you sign the marriage certificate in each other’s presence, the marriage is legally recognized.

On Your Wedding Day

Bring your marriage or civil union license with you to your ceremony. Your Colorado wedding officiant will complete and sign the form using their official title. This is the part that makes everything legal.

Fun fact: Simply Eloped officiants are ordained ministers, yep, all of them, and are fully authorized to sign Colorado marriage licenses.

Colorado does not require witnesses, so you can skip that step entirely and not invite anyone… if you don’t want to. The only signatures needed are yours, your partner’s, and your officiant’s.

Important note. Your names will appear at the top of the license as Party 1 and Party 2. Pay close attention when signing and make sure each of you signs the correct fields. The state cares about this more than it should.

After the Ceremony

After your ceremony, your job is not quite finished. You will need to return the completed marriage license to the same Colorado County Clerk’s office where you originally filed. This step matters. Because until the license is returned and recorded, the state does not consider the paperwork complete. You can bring it back in person, which the Clerk typically recommends, or send it by mail if getting back to the office is not realistic.

If you decide to mail your license, certified mail is the way to go. It gives you confirmation that the document arrived and creates a paper trail, which is helpful if anything goes missing or gets delayed. This is not the moment to cross your fingers and trust a standard envelope.

Once the Clerk receives your license, they will notarize it and officially process your marriage. At that point, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate for $1.25 each. These copies are commonly required for name changes, insurance updates, tax filings, or other administrative tasks that tend to show up later.

If you own a business, manage multiple real estate properties, or have several accounts that may require proof of marriage, take a few minutes to make a list now. Ordering a certified copy for each of those needs will save you from extra trips and follow-up paperwork later. Future you will be glad you planned ahead.

And that is the whole process. Colorado keeps marriage licenses refreshingly manageable, especially if you plan ahead and pay attention to the details. Once the paperwork is handled, you are free to focus on the part that matters, choosing a place you love and getting married in a way that feels right to you. If you are ready to turn this paperwork into a real day in a real place, Simply Eloped can help you make it happen. Reach out, and one of our planners will help you.

Written by Tori Ward

Victoria Ward is a writer at Simply Eloped as well as a Keats Marginalia scholar and Storyfort finalist for her fiction and creative nonfiction. When she is not writing about elopements, she writes grants for her research and non-profit work.