A license to marry in Colorado may be obtained during regular business hours, in accordance with the requirements outlined below. The license is valid upon issue and must be used, in Colorado, within 35 days. The fee is $30.00.
Guidelines for Obtaining Marriage/ Civil Union Licenses in Colorado
Age Requirements – Same for both parties
- Legal age of consent is 18.
- Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must obtain permission from a juvenile court. You must present that court order when applying for the marriage license.
- Persons under 16 years of age are prohibited from obtaining a marriage license.
Requirements
Valid ID must be furnished by both parties. All are valid forms of ID:
- Birth Certificates (Presenting a birth certificate as proof of age and/or identity requires some form of photo ID)
- Driver’s License
- Military Identification Card
- Passport
- Both parties must complete and sign the marriage application form. At least ONE of the parties must apply IN PERSON before the clerk and recorder or deputy clerk. If one of the parties cannot appear in person, he or she MUST complete an Marriage Affidavit or Civil Union Affidavit with a notarized signature and provide a copy of valid identification showing proof of age of the absent party.
- If either party has been divorced, he or she must recite the date the divorce was finalized, city and state divorce took place, and the type of court.
- A couple already married, who wish to renew their marriage vows, may obtain a license by stating that they are married to each other.
- Applicants for a marriage license need not be Colorado residents.
Blood Test Requirements
As of July 1, 1989, blood tests are NOT required for either party in the State of Colorado.
Social Security Numbers
Both parties need to know their social security numbers.
If a party does not have a Social Security Number, the Affidavit Concerning Social Security Numbermust be completed and submitted at time of application for a marriage/ Civil Union License. It must be signed and notarized in advance or signed in front of the deputy clerk at time of application.
Prohibited Marriages
Marriage Licenses will NOT be issued if:
- One of the parties is still married to another person, all divorces must be final.
- Marriage between the following is prohibited regardless of whether the relationship is by half or whole blood:
Ancestor or descendant
Brother and sister
Uncle and niece
Aunt and nephew - Marriage between cousins is permitted in Colorado.
Prohibited Civil Unions
Civil Union Licenses will NOT be issued if:
- If either party has been previously married or party to a civil union, that party must provide:
Name of Spouse or name of other party
The date of the dissolution or death
Type of court where the dissolution took place
The location where the dissolution or death occurred (city/state) - Applicants for Colorado Civil Union License do not need to be Colorado residents.
- Civil Union Licenses issued in Colorado are only valid for use in Colorado.
- Once the Civil Union has been solemnized, the license must be returned to the issuing County Clerk for recordation within 63 days from the date of the ceremony.
- Marriage between the following is prohibited regardless of whether the relationship is by half or whole blood:
Ancestor or descendant
Brother and sister
Uncle and niece
Aunt and nephew - Marriage between cousins is permitted in Colorado.
- Civil Union Licenses issued by another state are NOT valid for solemnization in Colorado.
Certificates
The person solemnizing the marriage shall complete the marriage license and forward it to the Clerk and Recorder’s office within sixty-three days (63) after solemnizing. Any person who fails to forward the marriage certificate to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office shall be required to pay a $20.00 LATE FEE and an additional $5.00 LATE FEE may be assessed by each additional day of failure up to a MAXIMUM of $50.00.
Please return completed marriage license/certificate to:
Washington County Clerk and Recorder
150 Ash Avenue – PO Box L,
Akron, CO 80720-0380
Marriage certificates must include the county and location where the marriage took place, the date of the marriage, the officiating party’s signature and title and the bride and groom’s signatures.