Colorado Marriage License & Self Solemnization

Guide to getting legally married in Colorado

How To Legally Get Married In Colorado

To legally get married in Colorado, you’ll need to get a Colorado marriage license. Your marriage license can be obtained from any county clerk and recorders office in Colorado, it does not have to be the same county you get married in.

It’s required that you, the couple, has to apply for the marriage license. You will want to make a plan of when and where you will get your license from, especially if you are traveling in from out of state as you’ll need to make an appointment and both show up in person with the proper documentation.

After your ceremony, you’ll sign your marriage license. You can self-solemnize, so using an officiant is optional. Then, return it to the office you got it from (either in person or via mail). That’s all it takes to officially get married in Colorado!

What is Self-Solemnizing?

Self-solemnizing is the ability for a couple to marry themselves without the need for an officiant or witness. This is a huge benefit for couples that want to elope as it allows more freedom, intimacy, personalization and saves time and money.

Self-solemnization is based on the belief that marriage is a contract between two consenting individuals and does not require the involvement of a third party.

Colorado is one of the only states that allows couples to marry themselves without any witnesses, additional paper work or conditions (Washington DC is the other location). There are a few other states such as California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, Maine, Kansas and Illinois that allow self-solemnization to some extent, but have additional rules or conditions that need to be met.

COLORADO ISN’T JUST THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STATE TO ELOPE, IT’S ALSO THE EASIEST!

the benefits of

Self Solemnizing In Colorado

Complete Control

Self-solemnizing allows you as the couple to have complete control over your wedding ceremony, without the need for an officiant or witnesses.

Intimacy & Personalization

It’s a very intimate and personal way to exchange vows and make a commitment to each other. Feel free to customize your ceremony to reflect your unique values and relationship.

Symbolic

Self-solemnizing can be a symbolic way for the couple to emphasize that their commitment is primarily to each other and not to any religious or legal institution.

Your Dog Can Sign Your License!

Yep, you read that right! Since you don’t need a real witness, you can get an ink pad and have your dog’s paw print on your license!

Flexibility

Self-solemnizing provides so much more flexibility for where and when you want to get married. You can even be spontaneous!

Save Time And Money

This eliminates the need to find and hire an officiant, which will save you time and money.

Your Dog Can Sign Your Marriage License in Colorado!

It’s true- your dog can “sign” your Colorado marriage license! Since you don’t legally need any witnesses, you can press your pets paw into your marriage license to stamp it with their paw-print. Colorado is the ONLY state that allows your pets (or kids) to sign your license!

To do this, you’ll need to purchase an inkless ink pad kit to press your pets paw into, without getting ink on them. Then, you will need to carefully press the paw onto of it while being careful to keep it within the boundaries.

All counties in Colorado currently accept paw prints on marriage license in Colorado with the exception of Denver and Arapahoe.

Self-solemnization is based on the belief that marriage is a contract between two consenting individuals and does not require the involvement of a third party.

Colorado Marriage License and Self-Solemnization

Step By Step Guide

Since most couples fly into Denver to start their adventure, we’ve outlined the process for obtaining your marriage license there. However, if you’re getting your license elsewhere in Colorado you’ll want to look up the county’s process to ensure you follow their guidelines.

Here’s how to get your marriage license and self-solemnize in Colorado in 5 easy steps:

self solemnizing with a Colorado marriage license

Step 1 – Complete the online application

First, make sure you meet the requirements, then complete the online application. You can apply for your license online whether you’re a Colorado resident or live out of state and are traveling in for your wedding.

Step 2 – Schedule Your Appointment

If you live in Colorado you can schedule an online appointment to video chat instead of attending an office in person. You must be within the State of Colorado, and both parties must be in the same room, on the same screen, at the same time. If you live out of state, you’ll schedule an in-person appointment for a date and time you will be able to pick up the license in person. Keep in mind your ceremony must happen in Colorado within 35 days of receiving the license.

Step 3 – Obtain your marriage license

Colorado residents that had a virtual appointment will receive their license via mail. For in-person appointments, you both will need to attend at your scheduled time with valid ID and payment ($30) to complete the process.

In Colorado, there is no waiting period required before you can get married once you’ve obtained your marriage license. This means that you can get married on the same day that you receive your license if you choose to do so. However, you’ll want to pick up the license well in advance of the wedding day (at least the day before, but no more than 35 days in advance) to avoid running into any issues.

Step 4 – Get married!

Choose a stunning backdrop for your ceremony (don’t worry, as Colorado elopement photographers we can absolutely help with that) and get married! During the ceremony, you and your partner will take turns reciting your vows and exchanging rings. Then, you will both sign the marriage license. Since you don’t need a witness, you can even have your dog sign the marriage license as a “witness”!

Step 5 – File your license

After the ceremony, you must return the signed marriage license to the county clerk’s office within 63 days. You can do so via mail or an in-person drop box. Once the clerk records the marriage, you can get the certified copy of the marriage certificate!

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Colorado Elopement

Planning checklist

Get instant access to the full Colorado planning checklist for insider information on everything you need to plan a successful Colorado elopement!

Self-Solemnization Ceremony Ideas

You may be wondering what to do during your elopement ceremony since you won’t have an officiant there guiding you through it. The good news is, it’s not as complicated as you think! Remember, the best part of eloping is being able to personalize your ceremony to your relationship and what you value and love. We recommend brainstorming some ideas unique to YOU and incorporating them into your ceremony.

Here are the typical events that can happen during your self-solemnized ceremony..

Find the perfect spot: Need inspiration? Here’s a list of some of the best places to elope in Colorado.
Read your handwritten vows to each other: You’ll take turn reading your personalized vows you wrote expressing your love and commitment to each other. This is an opportunity to make promises to each other and share their feelings.
Exchange your rings: You’ll then exchange rings as a symbol of your commitment to each other. You may also choose to exchange other symbolic objects that have special meaning to you.
Incorporate a meaningful activity: Pot a plant/ plant a tree together, mix wines together/take a shot, unity painting, etc. Get creative!
Sign the marriage license: Don’t forget to sign your marriage license to make it official. You can even have your pet sign as a witness!
Celebrate! You’re married! Now it’s time to celebrate. You could have a picnic with cupcakes and champagne, have a private chef cook you a meal at your AirBnB, go for a sunset boat ride, etc. The options are truly endless.

faqS ABOUT

Colorado Marriage Licenses & Self Solemnization

The cost of a marriage license in Colorado is only $30.

Yes! As long as you properly complete the paper work, your marriage will be just as legal as one that was done with an officiant.

No, a marriage license obtained in Colorado is only valid for marriages that take place within the state.

Yes, non-residents can get married in Colorado as long as they meet the requirements for a valid marriage and obtain a marriage license from a Colorado county clerk and recorder’s office.

To get legally married in Colorado, you’ll need a Colorado marriage license. This can be obtained at any county clerks office in Colorado. You can choose to self solemnize, or hire an officiant to complete the license.

You don’t need any witnesses or an officiant to legally get married in Colorado, you can self-solemnize (marry yourselves)!

Colorado Elopement Packages

Photography Packages

Looking for a Colorado elopement photographer? We’ve photographed countless Colorado elopements and would love to shoot yours next!

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Photography & Videography

Professional photography and optional videography services from an experienced husband/wife team who’ve photographed over 150 weddings together. Posing guidance and direction to make you feel and look great in front of the camera, no experience necessary.

Planning Guide

A 50+ page digital planning guide to help you through the whole elopement planning process. Including tips on booking travel and lodging, buying your attire, activity ideas, packing checklists, including family and more.

Custom Location Guide

A list of all the most beautiful locations in the area you choose based on scenery, accessibility, permits and logistics. We do the work so you don’t have to!

Timeline Creation

We’ll craft a timeline that fits all the locations, activities, and moments you have planned for your day as well as consider ideal lighting and making sure your whole experience is relaxed and stress free.

Vendor Recommendations

Looking for a florist, hair and makeup artist, or other vendors? We’ve got you covered with local recommendations.

Hey, we’re Savannah & Greg!

Colorado Elopement Photographers

We’re a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Colorado. We believe eloping is the best way to get married, so much so that we did it ourselves! We know it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, which is why we help couples set a date, pick a location, make a timeline, etc!

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