Marriage License

Guidelines for Obtaining a Marriage License in Colorado- You cannot get married without it!

Marriage License Guidelines for Colorado

To legally marry in Colorado, you must first obtain a marriage license. Here are the key requirements:

Eligibility Requirements:

  • 18 and older: Eligible to apply for a marriage license.
  • 16-17 years old: Must receive approval from a juvenile court before applying for a marriage license. Visit the 4th Judicial District Court website for details.
  • Under 16: Marriage licenses cannot be issued to individuals under the age of 16.

There are no exceptions to these rules. If your situation is not addressed here, please call the government office at (719) 520-6200 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) for further assistance.

Required Documentation:

  • Court Order: If applicable.

  • ID Requirements: Both parties must provide valid identification. Acceptable forms include:

    • Passports
    • Driver’s licenses
    • Birth certificates (must be translated if not in English)
    • Military IDs
    • NOT acceptable:
      • Consular cards
      • Detention center IDs
      • Novelty ID cards
      • Souvenir birth certificates

  • Date of Birth: Must be legible on all identification.

Restrictions:

  • Marriage Prohibited: A marriage license will not be issued if:
    • One party is still married to someone else (divorces must be finalized).
    • The marriage involves prohibited relationships such as ancestor and descendant, siblings, or aunt/uncle and niece/nephew. However, marriage between cousins is allowed in Colorado.
  • Out-of-State Licenses: Marriage licenses issued by other states are not valid for ceremonies in Colorado.

Application Process:

  • Both parties must complete and sign the marriage application. At least one party must apply in person.
  • If one party cannot appear in person, they must submit an original Marriage License Absentee Affidavit, notarized, along with a copy of their valid ID proving their age.
  • If either party has been divorced, they must provide the divorce date, the city and state it occurred, and the type of court (a divorce decree is not required at the time of application).
  • Couples wishing to renew their vows can also apply for a marriage license by confirming they are already married.

Additional Information:

  • No Colorado residency required to apply for a marriage license in the state.
  • Fees:
    • $0.25 per marriage license/application.
    • Certified copies: $1.00 per document.
    • Mailing fees: $1.25 for 1-10 pages, $2.00 for 11-20 pages, $2.50 for over 20 pages.

To request a marriage license or certificate copy, go to The El Paso County Website: https://clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/recording/marriage-licenses/  or go to the Recording Department at the main Clerk & Recorder’s office 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd. A license to marry in Colorado may be obtained 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary to visit our office and complete your license..