George Boyle
Getting married in Colorado involves several steps, from obtaining a marriage license to filing the marriage certificate. The process is relatively straightforward and can be completed within a short time frame. Once the marriage license is obtained, the couple has a set number of days to hold the ceremony and file the necessary documents. So, how long does it take to receive the marriage certificate after the wedding in Colorado?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of marriage license | $30 |
| Cost of certified copies of the marriage certificate | $1.25 each |
| Late fees | Applicable if the marriage certificate is not returned within 63-65 days after the wedding |
| Time to get the marriage license | Within 35 days of the ceremony |
| Time to return the marriage license | Within 63-65 days of the ceremony |
| Time to get the marriage certificate | Not mentioned |
| Where to get the marriage license | County Clerk's office |
| Where to return the marriage license | The same County Clerk's office as it was acquired from |
| Who can solemnize the marriage | Judges at the courthouse, retired judges, magistrates, indigenous tribe officials, clergy, or the couple themselves |
| Who can officiate the wedding | Anyone who is ordained |
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What You'll Learn
Where to get a marriage license in Colorado
Obtaining a marriage license in Colorado is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide on where and how to obtain your marriage license in the state.
Marriage licenses in Colorado are issued by the County Clerk's office. You can obtain your marriage license from any County Clerk's office within the state, regardless of where your wedding will take place. The Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, for example, is located at 201 W. Colfax Avenue.
What to Bring When Applying for a Marriage License
When applying for a marriage license, both partners must be present and provide valid identification. Accepted forms of ID include:
- State-issued driver's license or ID
- Passport
- Military ID
- Birth certificate (note that this is not accepted as a stand-alone form of identification in Colorado)
- Social Security numbers (you don't need to bring the cards, just the numbers)
- Alien registration card
- Visa
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Department of Corrections ID
- Inmate ID
If either partner has been previously married, you must provide proof of the end of the previous marriage, such as a divorce decree or death certificate.
Additional Information
The cost of a marriage license in Colorado is $30, and it is valid for 35 days from the issue date. You must obtain your marriage license within this timeframe relative to your wedding date. The completed marriage certificate must be returned to the issuing County Clerk's office within 60 to 65 days after the wedding to avoid late fees.
It is recommended that you make an appointment with the County Clerk's office to avoid long waits, especially if you plan to visit on a Monday, which is typically their busiest day.
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Requirements for a marriage license
To obtain a marriage license in Colorado, you must follow these requirements:
In-Person Application
Both partners must apply in person at their local Colorado County Clerk and Recorder Office. If one partner cannot be present, the other partner must provide an absentee affidavit, which has been completed, signed, and notarized, along with a photocopy of the absent partner's valid ID. If the absent partner is an active member of the armed services or a government contractor, you can file for marriage by proxy.
Age and Identification Requirements
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. If either applicant is 16 or 17 years old, a certified copy of a judicial order showing permission to marry is required. Acceptable forms of ID include a state-issued driver's license, military ID, passport, visa, or certificate of naturalization. If the ID is not in English, a certified translation must be provided. Additionally, ensure that all previous marriages have been legally ended before applying for a new marriage license.
Fees and Deadlines
The cost of the marriage license is $30, and it must be obtained within 35 days of the ceremony and used within the state of Colorado. The license is valid for 35 days from the issue date, and the completed marriage certificate must be returned to the issuing County Clerk and Recorder's office within 60 to 63 days after the ceremony to avoid late fees.
Solemnization and Witnesses
The marriage must be solemnized, which can be done by the couple themselves (self-solemnization) or by authorized individuals such as judges, retired judges, magistrates, clergy, or Indian tribe officials. Witnesses are not required in Colorado, but if chosen, there are no restrictions on their age.
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Cost of a marriage license
In Colorado, marriage licenses can be purchased for $30 and may be used immediately within the state. The license is valid for 35 days from the issue date, and you must apply for it within 35 days of your wedding ceremony.
You must apply in person at your local Colorado County Clerk and Recorder Office. If one applicant cannot appear in person, the other applicant must apply in person and provide an absentee application completed, signed, and notarized, along with a copy of the absent party's ID.
The marriage certificate must include the county and location of the marriage ceremony, the date of the marriage, the officiating party's signature and title, and the bride and groom's signatures. The completed certificate must be mailed or hand-delivered to the relevant County Clerk and Recorder's office within 60 to 63 days after the marriage. Failure to comply may result in late fees.
There may be additional handling fees for copies returned by mail. For example, in El Paso County, there is a $1.25 fee for 1-10 pages, a $2.00 fee for 11-20 pages, and a $2.50 fee for over 20 pages.
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How to fill out a marriage certificate
To fill out a marriage certificate in Colorado, you must first obtain a marriage license from your local County Clerk and Recorder's office. This can be done in any county in Colorado, regardless of where the ceremony will take place, as long as the marriage itself takes place in Colorado. The license costs $30 and is valid for 35 days from the date of issue. You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for a marriage license.
Once you have the license, you can proceed with your marriage ceremony. After the ceremony, the marriage certificate must be completed and returned to the issuing County Clerk and Recorder's office within 60 to 65 days. Late fees may apply if the deadline is missed.
The marriage certificate must include the following information:
- County and location of the marriage ceremony
- Date of the marriage
- Officiating party's signature and title
- Signatures of both parties (the bride and groom) as they appear on the marriage license
Witnesses are not required in Colorado, so only the couple and the officiant need to sign the certificate. It is important to note that your names will appear on the top of the marriage license, designated as Party 1 and Party 2, so be sure to sign in the appropriate fields.
The completed marriage certificate can be returned to the issuing office in person or by certified mail.
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Returning the marriage certificate
Once you have your marriage certificate, you must return it to the same County Clerk's office from which it was acquired. The certificate must be returned within 60 to 65 days of the ceremony or the date of your wedding, depending on the source. If you fail to do so, you may have to pay late fees. The certificate can be mailed or returned in person.
The marriage or civil union certificate must include the county and location of the marriage, the date of the marriage, the officiating party's signature and title, and the bride and groom's signatures. The marriage license and marriage certificate are on one piece of paper and should not be separated. The license gives you permission from the state to be legally married, while the certificate is the portion you fill out on the day of your wedding, documenting where and when you were married.
You can get your marriage license in any Colorado county, regardless of where the ceremony will take place, as long as the ceremony is held in Colorado. The marriage license must be solemnized with a ceremony within 35 days from the date of issue; otherwise, the license is void, and a new license must be acquired.
To apply for a marriage license, both partners need to show up in person at their local Colorado County Clerk and Recorder Office. If that's not possible, there are a couple of options: you can fill out an absentee affidavit and have it notarized, or you can file for marriage by proxy if the absent partner is an active member of the armed services or a government contractor of the armed services. In this case, you will also need photocopies of all the required IDs and a notarized absentee affidavit. One partner must be a Colorado resident.
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Frequently asked questions
The marriage certificate must be returned to the County Clerk's office within 60 to 65 days of the wedding.
Both partners need to go to the County Clerk's office in Colorado on a weekday to fill out the paperwork. The marriage license and certificate are on one piece of paper and are usually issued within 20 minutes. The license is valid for 35 days from the issue date and must be signed within this time period.
Both partners need to bring acceptable forms of ID, such as a birth certificate, state-issued driver's license, passport, etc. If one partner cannot be present, an absentee affidavit must be filled out and notarized, along with photocopies of the absent partner's IDs.
