Colorado Marriage License Requirements

If you're getting married in the state of Colorado you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…

Cost of Your License

How much does a marriage license cost?

The marriage license fee is roughly $30.00 dollars, although fees may vary from county to county. Accepted forms of payment are cash.

Residency Requirement

Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?

There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Colorado to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide.

Waiting Period

After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?

No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued.

License Expiration

How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?

Your license will expire 30 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.

What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?

Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.

Age Requirement

How old must I be to get married?

You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?

If either partner is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.

Blood Test

Are blood tests and physical exams required?

No blood test or physical exam is required.

Divorced or Widowed Applicants

What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?

If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.

Marriage Name Change

How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?

When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Colorado or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.

Proxy Marriage

What is a proxy marriage?

A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."

Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?

Yes. Colorado is one of only five states that does allow marriage by proxy to be legally performed.

Common Law Marriage

What is a common law marriage?

The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Colorado marriage license.

Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?

Yes, common-law marriages are allowed in Colorado. The fact that it is a viable option in this state is notable considering common law marriage is not available in four-fifths of the country.

Cousin Marriage

Can I get married to my cousin?

Yes, cousin marriages (first, second, etc) are allowed to take place.

Same Sex Marriage

Are same sex marriages legal?

Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in Colorado.

Where to Go

Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?

Colorado has 53 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.

Adams County Clerk
450 South Fourth Ave
Brighton, CO 80601
303-654-6020
Alamosa County Clerk
P.O. Box 630
Alamosa, CO 81101
719-589-6681
Arapahoe County Clerk
5334 South Prince
Littleton, CO 80166
303-795-4520
Archuleta County Clerk
P.O. Box 1507
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970-264-5633
Bent County Clerk
P.O. Box 350
Las Animas, CO 81054
719-456-2009
Boulder County County Clerk
2020 13th St, 2nd Flr.
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-3516
Chaffee County Recorder
P.O. Box 699
Salida, CO 81201
719-539-4004
Cheyenne County Clerk
51 South 1St St
Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810
719-767-5685
Clear Creek County Clerk
P.O. Box 2000
Georgetown, CO 80444
303-569-3251
Conejos County Clerk
P.O. Box 127
Conejos, CO 81129
719-376-5422
Costilla County Clerk
P.O. Box 308
San Luis, CO 81152
719-672-3301
Delta County Clerk & Recorder
5th & Palmer
Delta, CO 81416
970-874-2150
Denver County Clerk
1437 Bannock, Room 200
Denver, CO 80202
303-640-2628
Douglas County Clerk
P.O. Box 1147
Castlerock, CO 80104
303-660-7469
Eagle County Marriage License
P.O. Box 537
Eagle, CO 81631
970-328-8710
El Paso County Clerk And Recorder
200 S. Cascade
Colorado Spring, CO 80901
719-520-6200
Elbert County Clerk
P.O. Box 37
Kiowa, CO 80117
303-621-3129
Fremont County Clerk
615 Macon, Room 100
Canon City, CO 81212
719-275-1522
Garfield County Marriage License
109 8th St Suite 200
Glenwood Spring, CO 81601
970-945-2377
Gilpin County Clerk Clerk & Recorders Office
203 Eureka, P.O. Box 429
Central City, CO 80427
303-582-5321
Grand County Clerk
308 Byers
Hot Sulpher Spg, CO 80451
303-725-3347
Gunnison County Clerk & Recorder
200 East Virginia
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-1516
Huerfano County Clerks
400 Main St
Wallsenburg, CO 81089
719-738-2380
Jackson County Recorder P.O. Box 337
396 La Fever
Walden, CO 80480
970-723-4334
Jefferson County Clerk
100 Jefferson County Pkwy
Golden, CO 80419
303-271-8168
Kit Carson County Clerk And Recorder
P.O. Box 249
Burlington, CO 80807
719-346-8638
La Plata County Clerk
P.O. Box 519
Durango, CO 81302
970-382-6283
Lake County Clerk
P.O. Box 917
Leadville, CO 80461
719-486-1410
Larimer County Clerk
P.O. Box 1280, 80522
Ft.Collins, CO 80521
970-498-7860
Las Animas County Clerk & Recorder
P.O. Box 115
Trinidad, CO 81082
719-846-3314
Logan County Recorders
315 Main St
Sterling, CO 80751
970-522-1544
Mesa County Clerk & Recorder
544 Rood St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-244-1670
Moffat County Clerk & Recorder
221 West Victory Way
Craig, CO 81625
970-824-5484
Montezuma County Clerk
109 West Main St
Cortez, CO 81321
970-565-3728
Montrose County Clerk
320 So. 1St St
Montrose, CO 81401
970-249-3362
Morgan County Clerk
P.O. Box 1399
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
970-867-5616
Otero County Clerk
P.O. Box 511
La Junta, CO 81050
719-383-3020
Ouray County Clerk & Recorder
541 4th St
Ouray, CO 81427
970-325-4961
Park County Clerk Clerk & Recorder
501 Main St, Annex Bldg.
Fairplay, CO 80440
719-836-2771
Phillips County Clerk
221 S. Interocean
Holyoke, CO 80734
970-854-3131
Pitkin County Clerk
506 East Main
Aspen, CO 81611
970-920-5180
Prowers County Clerk Recorders Office
P.O. Box 889
Lamar, CO 81052
719-336-4337
Pueblo County Clerk
215 West 10th St
Pueblo, CO 81003
719-583-6000
Rio Blanco County Clerk & Recorder
500 Main St
Meeker, CO 81641
970-878-5068
Rio Grande County Clerk
P.O. Box 160
Del Norte, CO 81132
719-657-3334
Routt County Clerk
P.O. Box 773598
Steamboat Sprin, CO 80477
970-879-1710
San Juan County Clerk
P.O. Box 466
Silverton, CO 81433
303-387-5671
San Miguel County Clerk
305 West Colorado Ave
Telluride, CO 81435
970-728-3954
Summit County Clerk
P.O. Box 1538
Breckenridge, CO 80424
970-453-3475
Teller County Clerk & Recorder
101 West Bennett
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
719-689-2951
Washington County Clerk
P.O. Box "L"
Akron, CO 80720
970-345-6565
Weld County Clerk
P.O. Box 459
Greeley, CO 80632
970-353-3840
Yuma County Clerk
310 Ash St
Wray, CO 80758
970-332-5809