Rhiannon Hendricks
Getting married in Colorado is a straightforward process. The state has no waiting period to sign your marriage license, and you can obtain your license and sign it on the same day. You can even marry yourself without the need for an officiant or witnesses. However, if you prefer to have a friend officiate your wedding, they must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries, and meet certain legal requirements. The couple must also follow local regulations and laws to ensure their marriage is official and legal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Officiant registration requirements | None |
| Ordination required | Yes |
| Ordination process | Fast, easy, and free |
| Ordination credentials | Must be presented to the county clerk |
| Marriage license | Required |
| Marriage license fee | $30 |
| Marriage license application | To be completed in advance |
| Marriage license issuance location | Any county clerk's office in the state |
| Marriage license issuance requirements | Both parties must be present with IDs |
| Marriage license validity | Must be used within 35 days of issuance |
| Marriage certificate | To be signed and mailed back within 63 days |
| Witnesses | Not required |
| Self-solemnization | Allowed |
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What You'll Learn
No officiant or witnesses are required
If you want to get married in Colorado, you don't need an officiant or witnesses. This is because Colorado is one of the few states that allow self-solemnization, which means that a couple can legally marry themselves without anyone else present.
To do this, both parties need to appear in person at a county clerk's office, bringing their IDs and proof of any previous divorces. There, they will complete a form and sign their marriage license. The license costs $30 and can be paid in cash or by credit card. It's a good idea to make the appointment a few months in advance, as they can fill up.
While Colorado does not require officiants to register with any government office, if you do want to have a friend or family member officiate your wedding, they must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries. They will also need to put "Minister" as their title on the license.
If you want your wedding ceremony to be the legal date of your marriage, you need to make sure you sign your marriage license on that day. You and your partner must then appear together at a county clerk's office within 35 days of signing the license.
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Self-solemnization
To self-solemnize your marriage in Colorado, you need to follow these steps:
- Obtain your marriage license: Visit any county clerk's office in the state to apply for your marriage license. If you are a resident of Colorado, you can complete the process online and receive your license by mail. However, if you don't have a Colorado address, you can start the application online but will need to pick up your license in person from the county clerk's office.
- Present identification: When applying for the marriage license, both parties must be present and provide valid identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Complete the necessary paperwork: Along with your application, you will need to provide certain information, including your social security numbers, parents' names, current addresses, and places of birth.
- Pay the fee: There is a fee of $30 to obtain your marriage license. Most areas accept cash, money orders, or credit cards.
- Sign the marriage license: Once you have obtained your marriage license, you and your spouse-to-be can sign it. This is the key step in self-solemnization, as it legally binds your marriage without the need for an officiant's signature.
- Return the signed license: After signing the license, you can return it to the county clerk's office or mail it in. This can usually be done on the same day or the next day.
It is important to note that while self-solemnization offers flexibility and privacy, there are no official witnesses to the ceremony. Additionally, if you plan to include your dog's paw print as a signature, you may encounter restrictions when obtaining your marriage certificate from certain counties, such as Denver or Arapahoe County.
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Getting ordained
Online Ordination
Online ordination is a simple, fast, and free process. The ULC, for example, is one of the world's largest religious organizations and ordains ministers to perform legal marriages in Colorado. The process can usually be completed in less than a day, and once ordained, you can legally officiate weddings anywhere in the state.
Proof of Ordination
While not mandatory, it is recommended to have proof of your ordination, as county clerks may ask to see this before allowing you to perform a wedding ceremony. This proof can include an ordination certificate and a Letter of Good Standing, which is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized. You can order these documents from the religious organization through which you are ordained.
Marriage Licenses
As a wedding officiant in Colorado, it is essential to understand the rules regarding marriage licenses. Couples must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office, and this license is only valid for a set period, typically 30 to 35 days. There is no waiting period after receiving the license, so the wedding can take place immediately. However, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office before the expiration date.
Performing the Wedding
Once you have completed the ordination process and understand the legal requirements, you are ready to perform the wedding! Resources are available to guide you through the process, including tips and tools to help you craft the perfect ceremony.
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Marriage license
To get married in Colorado, you must obtain a marriage license. This can be done by visiting the local Clerk and Recorder's Office in your county. Both parties must bring valid identification, such as a driver's license or passport, and proof of age. It is not necessary for both parties to be Colorado residents.
There is a fee for obtaining a marriage license, which is $30 and can be paid by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are also accepted in almost all areas. The license is valid for 35 days from the issue date and can be used immediately within the state of Colorado. It is important to note that marriage license applications issued by another state are not valid for solemnization in Colorado.
To complete the marriage license process, both parties must fill out and sign the online marriage application form. If one party is unable to appear in person, they must complete a Marriage License Absentee Affidavit, which must be notarized. The party appearing in person must bring the completed and notarized affidavit, along with a copy of the absent party's valid identification.
Once the marriage has taken place, the marriage certificate must be completed and returned to the Clerk and Recorder's Office within 63 days. The certificate must include the county and location of the marriage, the date, the officiating party's signature and title, and the signatures of both parties as they appear on the marriage license. Witnesses are not required in Colorado, and the couple can choose to solemnize their own marriage.
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Local regulations and laws
Colorado is unique in that it does not require an officiant or witnesses to legally marry. Couples can simply sign the marriage license themselves through a process called "self-solemnization". However, if you do choose to have an officiant, they must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries, and obtain a "Minister" title. While not required, it is recommended that officiants keep records of their official ministry credentials as proof of their ordination.
After the ceremony, the couple and the officiant (if applicable) must fill out and file the license with the state. The signed license must be returned to the recording office within 63 days of the ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
In Colorado, you can marry yourselves without the need for an officiant or even witnesses. To make your marriage official and legal, you need to follow local regulations and laws and obtain a marriage license.
You can obtain a marriage license by completing a form and visiting a county clerk's office in person to show your IDs. You need an appointment for your visit and it's best to make it in advance. You also need to pay a fee of $30 for the license.
Anyone can perform a wedding ceremony in Colorado, but not everyone can sign the marriage license and “solemnize” the marriage. To be able to legally perform a marriage, one must be an ordained minister.
