Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Colorado: Family Edition

If you're getting married in Colorado, you may be wondering if a family member can officiate your wedding. The short answer is yes. Colorado law allows for just about anyone to perform the wedding ceremony. You don't need a priest, ordained minister, justice of the peace, or any other licensed marriage official. However, it's important to note that performing the marriage ceremony is distinct from solemnizing the marriage. While anyone can be the officiant, most states place restrictions on who can solemnize a marriage and make it official. In Colorado, the married couple can sign the marriage license and self-solemnize, making it legal without the need for a separate officiant.

Anyone can officiate a wedding in Colorado

It is perfectly legal for a friend or family member to officiate a wedding in Colorado. In fact, Colorado law allows for almost anyone to perform the wedding ceremony. You don't need a priest, ordained minister, justice of the peace, or any other licensed marriage official to perform your marriage ceremony.

Performing vs solemnizing

While anyone can officiate a wedding in Colorado, only certain people can solemnize a marriage, which is the process of making the marriage official or legal. However, in Colorado, the couple can simply sign the marriage license themselves, without the need for an official officiant. This is known as "self-solemnizing".

Requirements for the officiant

If you do choose to have a friend or family member as the officiant, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure that the person you ask is willing and comfortable with public speaking. It's also important to confirm that they understand the expectations and requirements of the role, such as the need to handle the marriage license on the wedding day.

Advantages of having a friend or family member officiate

There are several benefits to having a friend or family member officiate your wedding. It can make the event more personal and meaningful for the couple and the guests. It can also help you save money, as you won't need to hire a professional officiant. Additionally, having a friend or family member officiate can give you more control over the ceremony, as they may be more willing to incorporate your input and suggestions.

Officiants don't need to be registered

In Colorado, there is no requirement for wedding officiants to register with any government office before performing a marriage. The Colorado State Government has no laws requiring officiant registration, nor is there a dedicated office for the registration of wedding officiants.

This means that once you are ordained, you have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Colorado. However, it is important to note that you must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries, to be considered a legal officiant.

While registration is not necessary, it is advisable to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials. Proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. Such credentials include an Ordination Certificate and a Letter of Good Standing, which is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.

The Role of the Officiant

The officiant has two main duties on the wedding day: conducting the wedding ceremony and completing the marriage license. Conducting the ceremony involves reciting the necessary words and performing the ceremony, while completing the marriage license is a legal duty.

Solemnizing the Marriage

While anyone can be the officiant and perform the wedding ceremony, only certain people can solemnize a marriage, which means making the marriage official and legal. In Colorado, the couple can sign the marriage license themselves, which is known as self-solemnizing. This means that a friend or family member can perform the ceremony, and the couple can then self-solemnize to make the marriage legal.

Advantages of Having a Friend or Family Member as the Officiant

There are several benefits to having a close friend or family member officiate your wedding:

• It adds a personal touch to the ceremony, making it more meaningful for the couple and those in attendance.
• It can help save money, as you won't need to pay for a licensed officiant and can allocate those funds to other aspects of the wedding, such as the venue or décor.
• You may have more control over the ceremony, as a friend or family member is likely to be more receptive to your input and suggestions.

Officiants must be ordained

In Colorado, a family member can officiate a wedding. While anyone can perform the wedding ceremony, only authorised individuals can solemnise the marriage and make it official. In Colorado, the couple can self-solemnise the marriage by signing the marriage license themselves. However, if a friend or family member is going to sign the marriage license as the officiant, they must be ordained and put "Minister" as their title on the license.

To become ordained, your friend or family member can go through a simple and free process with an online organisation. This will allow them to legally sign the marriage license as a "Minister". It is important to note that if they put "Officiant" on the license, it will be rejected.

Once ordained, your chosen officiant will have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Colorado. They should keep personal records of their official Ministry Credentials, as proof of their ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

In addition to being ordained, your chosen officiant should be comfortable with public speaking and understand the expectations of their role. They should also be familiar with the marriage license process and the specific requirements in Colorado.

Officiants must fill out the marriage license

In Colorado, a friend or family member can legally officiate a wedding. While anyone can officiate a wedding, Colorado law does place restrictions on who can solemnize a marriage and make it official. However, the couple can sign the marriage license and self-solemnize, and then take the license to the county clerk's office to be filed.

Ask the Couple to Present the Marriage License

Give the couple a reminder to bring their marriage license to the ceremony. It is best to contact them the day before the wedding to ensure they do not forget.

Confirm the Marriage License is Valid

Before filling out the marriage license, confirm that it is still valid. In Colorado, there is no waiting period for marriage licenses, meaning the couple can receive and complete their marriage license on the same day that they file for it. However, the license is only valid for 35 days after being issued, so the wedding must take place within this time frame.

Complete and Sign the Marriage License

As the officiant, you must fill out your portion of the license and sign it with the couple. No witnesses are required to sign the marriage license in Colorado. Here are some tips for filling out the license:

• For the officiant title, enter "Minister".
• For church name, enter "American Marriage Ministries", even if you are a member of another religious organization.
• For religious denomination, enter "Non-Denominational" unless you are conducting a specific religious tradition.
• For ceremony type, enter "Religious". This is important, as the designation "Religious" and "Civil" mean different things to the Colorado Government. Civil is for government officials, and everything else is considered religious, even if there are no religious references in the wedding.

Return the Marriage License to the County Clerk

The marriage license must be returned to the County Clerk as soon as possible. While there is no specified time frame in Colorado law, the completed marriage license must be returned before its expiration date (35 days after being issued). The couple typically handles this, but some states require the minister to do so. The license should include specific instructions on how and where to return it.

The couple can self-solemnize

In Colorado, a couple can marry themselves without the need for an officiant or witnesses. This is known as "self-solemnizing" and is a legal way to get married. The process is straightforward: present your identification to the county clerk, complete the necessary paperwork, and you're officially married. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Locate the Nearest County Clerk:

First, find the nearest county clerk and recorder's office in Colorado where you plan to get married and make an appointment. It's recommended to do this at least a few days before your wedding day to allow for any unexpected delays.

Pick Up Your Colorado Marriage License:

Bring your IDs and the required fee, typically $30, to the clerk's office. Both parties must be present and provide valid identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID, passport, birth certificate, or U.S. military ID.

Complete the Paperwork:

Fill out the marriage license application and any other necessary paperwork. This typically includes providing basic information such as your names, addresses, and places of birth. There may also be questions about your marital history and that of your parents.

Get Married in Colorado:

With your marriage license in hand, you are now free to exchange vows and tie the knot in a private, intimate ceremony. Self-solemnization offers a unique opportunity for personalization and allows you to craft a ceremony that truly reflects your love story.

Return the Paperwork:

Don't forget to return the completed marriage license to the county clerk's office within the specified timeframe, usually within 63 days of the wedding. This step ensures that your marriage is legally recognized.

Self-solemnization in Colorado provides couples with the flexibility to create a wedding ceremony that aligns with their vision. It eliminates the need for an officiant, allowing for cost savings and a more personalized experience. Additionally, the lack of witnesses provides an opportunity for a private and intimate exchange of vows. This option is particularly appealing to couples seeking elopement or a non-traditional wedding experience.

Frequently asked questions