How to Get a Marriage License
in Colorado

Getting legally married in Colorado is surprisingly straightforward, even if you are traveling from another state.

There is no waiting period, you do not need to be a Colorado resident, and you can even solemnize your own marriage without an officiant or witnesses.

The paperwork itself is usually straightforward. The confusion comes from understanding which office to visit, when to apply, who needs to sign, and whether your outdoor ceremony also requires a separate permit.

Here is what you need to know before getting married in Colorado.

Important: Marriage-license procedures can vary slightly by county and may change. Always confirm the current requirements with the county clerk and recorder where you plan to obtain your license.

What Do You Need to Get Married in Colorado?

To make your marriage legal in Colorado, you generally need to:

  1. Obtain a Colorado marriage license.
  2. Use and sign it within Colorado before it expires.
  3. Complete the marriage certificate correctly.
  4. Return the completed document to the issuing county clerk and recorder.
  5. Obtain a separate ceremony permit when your chosen location requires one.

The marriage license gives you legal permission to marry. It does not automatically give you permission to hold a ceremony on public land.

Those are two separate parts of the planning process.

Do You Have to Live in Colorado to Get Married Here?

No. You do not need to be a Colorado resident to obtain a Colorado marriage license or hold your ceremony in the state.

Couples traveling from another state—or another country—can apply through a Colorado county clerk and recorder, complete their ceremony in Colorado, and return the license to be recorded.

The license is only valid for a marriage taking place within Colorado.

Where Do You Get a Colorado Marriage License?

Marriage licenses are issued by Colorado county clerk and recorder offices.

You generally do not have to obtain the license from:

  • The county where you live
  • The county where you are staying
  • The county where your ceremony will take place

This gives traveling couples some flexibility. You may be able to choose the office that is most convenient based on your arrival plans, accommodations and ceremony timeline.

County procedures vary. Some offices require appointments, while others may allow walk-ins or begin the application online. Confirm the specific office’s hours, identification requirements and appointment process before arriving.

Holiday closures and limited weekday hours can be especially important when you are traveling for a weekend wedding.

How Much Does a Colorado Marriage License Cost?

The standard marriage-license fee is generally $30, although you should verify the current amount and accepted forms of payment with the issuing county.

You may also choose to purchase certified copies after the marriage has been recorded. Certified copies are often needed for name changes, insurance, benefits and other official records.

What Identification Do You Need?

Each partner should be prepared to provide valid identification and personal information required by the county.

Commonly accepted identification may include:

  • A driver’s license
  • A state-issued identification card
  • A passport
  • Another comparable form of government-issued identification

You may also need information about:

  • Your birthplaces
  • Your parents’ birthplaces
  • Your Social Security numbers, when applicable
  • The date and location of your wedding
  • Previous marriages or civil unions
  • The exact date and location of a divorce or former spouse’s death, when applicable

If a divorce was finalized shortly before the application, the county may require additional documentation. Denver, for example, states that a certified divorce decree is required when the divorce was finalized within the preceding 30 days.

Check with the specific county rather than assuming every office follows an identical process.

Do Both Partners Have to Apply in Person?

Procedures can vary, but Colorado law generally requires the application to be completed and signed by both partners, with at least one partner appearing before the county clerk.

Some counties may offer remote or virtual appointment options, and limited exceptions may apply when one partner cannot appear. These situations can require additional forms, notarization or documentation.

Because the process varies, contact the issuing clerk directly when both partners cannot attend together.

Is There a Waiting Period in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not have a waiting period after the license is issued.

That means you can generally obtain the license and use it on the same day, provided the clerk’s process is complete and your ceremony plans allow for it.

Even so, we do not recommend leaving the application until the last possible moment. Office hours, appointment availability, weather delays, travel changes and missing documents can create unnecessary pressure.

Give yourself enough time to handle the paperwork without squeezing it into the morning of your wedding.

How Long Is a Colorado Marriage License Valid?

A Colorado marriage license must be used within 35 days of the date it is issued.

The ceremony and signing must take place in Colorado during that validity period.

This means you should not obtain the license too early. Count backward from your ceremony date and choose an appointment that leaves a comfortable margin without exceeding the 35-day window.

Still Figuring Out the Rest of Your Colorado Wedding?

The marriage license is only one part of the plan. Explore our customizable Colorado wedding packages to see how location guidance, photography, ceremony support, and additional services can come together through one team.

Explore Colorado Wedding Packages

Is a Marriage License the Same as a Wedding Permit?

No, and this is one of the most important distinctions for outdoor weddings.

A marriage license makes the marriage legally valid.

A special-use permit, reservation or ceremony permit gives you permission to hold your ceremony at a particular location.

Public lands, parks, open spaces and reservable ceremony sites may have rules related to:

  • Group size
  • Vehicles and parking
  • Ceremony times
  • Chairs and decorations
  • Flowers and scattering materials
  • Amplified sound
  • Pets
  • Photography and videography
  • Seasonal access
  • Exclusive use of the location

Some settings require formal permits. Others require reservations or have rules without a dedicated wedding-permit process.

For example, Rocky Mountain National Park currently requires a Special Use Permit for weddings, elopements, vow renewals and similar ceremonies. Ceremonies must occur at designated sites, with location-specific group and vehicle limits. The park does not grant exclusive use of the ceremony area.

Permit requirements are location-specific and can change, so never assume that a marriage license is the only paperwork you need.

How Far in Advance Should You Apply for a Ceremony Permit?

This depends entirely on the location.

Some permits can be obtained relatively close to the wedding date. Highly sought-after parks and reservable sites may fill months in advance.

Rocky Mountain National Park, for example, accepts applications one year before the desired wedding month and limits the number of ceremonies issued each month. Several months of its 2026 wedding calendar had already reached capacity by July 2026.

This is why location planning should happen before you book flights, lodging or other nonrefundable arrangements whenever possible.

The earlier you know your approximate date, guest count and preferred scenery, the easier it is to identify realistic options.

What Happens on the Wedding Day?

Bring the marriage license and certificate with you.

Before signing, confirm:

  • The names are correct.
  • You are signing in the correct fields.
  • The ceremony date and location are accurate.
  • The person solemnizing the marriage knows where to sign, when applicable.
  • Optional signatures will not interfere with official sections.
  • You understand who is responsible for returning the completed document.

Do not rely on memory or internet examples. Use the instructions issued with your particular license.

After everything is signed, keep the document somewhere clean, dry and secure. Mountain wind, snow, rain and champagne do not mix particularly well with legal paperwork.

What Do You Do With the License After the Ceremony?

The completed marriage certificate must be returned to the same county clerk and recorder that issued it.

Colorado requires it to be returned for recording within 63 days after the marriage to avoid late fees.

Depending on the county, you may be able to:

  • Return it in person
  • Mail it
  • Use a secure drop box
  • Follow another county-specific return process

If mailing it, consider using a trackable method and making a copy for your records before sending it.

Once the marriage is recorded, you can request certified copies for official uses such as changing your name, updating insurance or adjusting financial and legal records.

Colorado Marriage-License Checklist

Before traveling:

  • Choose a Colorado county clerk and recorder.
  • Review its current marriage-license requirements.
  • Complete any available online application.
  • Schedule an appointment if required.
  • Confirm office hours and holiday closures.
  • Gather the required identification.
  • Bring information about prior marriages or civil unions.
  • Confirm accepted payment methods.
  • Determine whether your ceremony location requires a separate permit.

Before the ceremony:

  • Confirm that the license is still within its 35-day validity period.
  • Bring the complete document with you.
  • Decide whether you will self-solemnize or use an officiant.
  • Review the signing instructions.
  • Protect the paperwork from weather and damage.

After the ceremony:

  • Double-check that every required field is complete.
  • Return the certificate to the issuing county within 63 days.
  • Request certified copies when needed.
  • Store your personal copy securely.

You Do Not Have to Figure Out the Legal and Location Details Alone

Most couples do not begin planning their Colorado wedding already knowing which county clerk to visit, which ceremony sites require permits or whether self-solemnization is right for them.

You do not have to.

Colorado Outdoor Weddings helps couples connect the practical pieces of the day from choosing a location that works for their guest count and priorities to planning the timeline, ceremony and services around it.

Depending on your package, that can include:

  • Location guidance
  • Permit support
  • Timeline planning
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Hair and makeup
  • Florals
  • An officiant
  • Ceremony support

You can come to us with something as simple as:

“We want to get married somewhere beautiful in Colorado, but we do not know where to start.”

That is enough.

We will help you understand what comes next and build a wedding experience that is both meaningful and workable.

See Packages, Pricing & Availability

Frequently Asked Quetsions

Yes. Colorado residency is not required. You must obtain a Colorado marriage license, use it for a marriage taking place within the state and return the completed certificate to the issuing county.

Colorado has no waiting period, so this may be possible. However, appointment availability, office hours and paperwork requirements can make advance planning the safer option.

Colorado marriage licenses are issued by county clerk and recorder offices. You generally have flexibility in which Colorado county you apply through, so you can choose an office that works with your travel and wedding plans.

Application procedures vary by county. Some offices require appointments, while others may allow couples to begin the application online. Check the specific county’s identification requirements, office hours, appointment process, and payment options before you go.

It is usually simplest for both partners to attend the appointment together, and some in-person or virtual processes require it.

However, Colorado also allows an absent partner to complete a notarized absentee affidavit in certain circumstances.
Because county procedures can differ, contact the clerk and recorder you plan to use if one partner cannot attend.

Colorado does not have a waiting period, so the marriage license is valid as soon as it is issued. It must be signed in Colorado within 35 days of the issue date.

Even though same-day use is possible, it is still a good idea to apply before the last possible moment in case of limited appointments, travel delays, or missing documents.

After the marriage certificate has been completed and signed, return the full document to the same county clerk and recorder that issued it. Do not separate the license and certificate portions of the form.

The completed certificate should be returned for recording within 63 days after the marriage to avoid late fees. Depending on the county, you may be able to return it by mail, in person, or through a secure drop box. Once it has been recorded, you can request certified copies for name changes and other official purposes.

No. A marriage license gives you legal permission to marry in Colorado. It does not automatically give you permission to hold a ceremony in a park, open space, national park, or other public location.

Your ceremony site may separately require a permit, reservation, or approval, depending on the location, group size, and plans for the day. Always confirm the specific rules for the place where you intend to marry.

We can help explain the general process and incorporate the signing into your ceremony timeline. Because the license is a legal document issued directly to the couple, you remain responsible for applying, providing accurate information, signing it correctly and returning it to the issuing county.