A marriage license may be issued in any county and used in any county in the State of Colorado. However, the
license must be used within 30 days from the date of issue. The license is issued the day it is applied for and
may be used immediately.
ID Requirement: Acceptable forms for proof of age are as follows: Drivers License, Passport, Visa, Birth
Certificate, Military ID, or state issued ID Card.
Social Security Number: Must be given when applying for a license. If either party does not have a social
security number, they must sign an affidavit when applying for the license.
Residency Requirement in Colorado: You do not have to be a resident of the State of Colorado.
Application Form: Both male and female applicants must appear in person to complete and sign the marriage
application. If one party cannot appear due to illness, is out of state, or incarcerated, he or she must obtain an
ABSENTEE APPLICATION from the Clerk and Recorder's office. The party applying must bring the absentee
application along with identification for the absent party. Applicants need not be residents of Colorado.
ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS MUST BE NOTARIZED.
Covenant Marriage Option: Colorado does not offer this option at this time.
Waiting Period and Tests: There is no waiting period for getting married in Colorado and there are no
required tests.
Fee: Marriage license is $10.00. Cash or Checks Only.
Blood test: Blood tests are not required to obtain a marriage license.
Previous Marriages: If you've been married previously, Colorado requires that you bring a certified copy of
your divorce decree or a copy of your deceased spouse's death certificate.
Proxy Marriages: Yes, but only if either the groom or bride cannot appear due to illness, is out of the state of
Colorado, or incarcerated, he or she can obtain an absentee application. It must be notarized. Identification for
the absent party must be provided by the other soon to be spouse when applying for the license.
Cousin Marriages: Yes.
Common Law Marriages: Yes. The minimum age for common law marriages in the state of Colorado is the
same as the ages required by the Colorado Uniform Marriage Act. In other words, if you are not both at least
18 years old, a common law marriage is not recognized. This applies no matter where the common law
marriage was entered into. (C.R.S. 14-2-104 and 14-2-109.5)
Same Sex Marriages: No.
Age Requirements: The legal age without parental consent is 18 years of age. Ages 16 and 17 require
parental consent from both parents. If one parent is sole custodian of the minor; a divorce decree stating
custody rights or a death certificate must be presented at the time of applying for the license. If one or both of
the parents cannot appear at the time of applying for the license, an absentee application may be completed and
notarized ahead of time. This is to be presented when the marriage license is issued. If these do not apply,
judicial approval is then required. Applicants 15 years of age or younger, must obtain a court order granting
judicial approval as well as complying with the above requirements. The court order must be obtained in the
county where judicial approval has been granted.
Officiants: Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109) in Colorado. They
must apply for paper work from the County Courthouse in order to do this. However, friends or relatives
cannot solemnize their marriage. Out-of-state Clergy need not be registered in Colorado.
Grounds for Annulment: Lack of capacity to consent at time solemnized, under-age (not cured by consent of
parents or court), fraud, jest or dare, duress and impotency (unknown to other party at time of marriage), and
any prohibited marriage. Sec. 14-10-111. See, "Annulments in Colorado," 22 Colo. Law. 2249 (1993).
Copy of Certificate of Marriage:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80346-1530
Telephone: (303) 692-2234
Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for
guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
The State of Colorado Marriage Laws
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