How To Make Money Perfoming Weddings In A County That Doesn't Do Courthouse Weddings

I know the idea of legally tying the knot can seem daunting, but don't panic. Below is everything you need to know to make your Colorado marriage easy, legal, and awesome.

Want to make things really easy?

Let me plan a simple Colorado elopement or micro-wedding for you!

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COVID-19 MARRIAGE LICENSE INFORMATION

Please note that due to COVID-19 protocols, many Colorado County Clerk's offices have changed their application process. However, the governor has required that all Clerks offer some way for couples to still obtain a marriage license. Almost every county currently requires that you set up an appointment online, or over the phone, while some require that you submit your application online or by mail.

Please note that the information below regarding in-person applications may not be accurate during the pandemic. For the most up-to-date information, please call the County Clerk who you wish to receive your license from.

What you need to know about getting married in Colorado…

Legal Disclaimer
While anyone can choose to have a symbolic wedding ceremony, each state has its own requirements regarding how to make a marriage legal. This webpage is intended to convey general information only and not to provide legal advice or opinions. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that you will be able to legally get married.

Who Can Get Married?
Good news: pretty much anyone can get married in Colorado (theoretically). Colorado makes it easy for residents of all 50 states to join in matrimony. The state also allows non-US citizens, same-sex marriages, and proxy marriages. However, there are some restrictions based on age, relationship (cousins are okay, siblings are not), and current marital status (you can't already be married!). For more information and restrictions, checkout Denver's website.

Where Should You Get Married?
Even more good news: Colorado is gorgeous, and it offers a wide range of locations to fit the style and preference of any wedding ceremony. Whether you want a small, scenic mountaintop elopement or a full-sized, traditional venue, there are thousands of breathtaking locations across the state. And of course, if you're looking for something super simple, you can always do the classic "courthouse" wedding.

Can I use a marriage license from a different state in Colorado?
From some states—yes. From other states—no. Only a few states (like Texas) allow you to perform your wedding ceremony in a different state, and then return to Texas to file it. Here's your best bet: call the government office responsible for marriage license filing in your state and ask. If they say you are not allowed to do the ceremony in a different state, simply get a Colorado marriage license when you arrive.

Can my dog sign my marriage license in Colorado?
Get excited because the answer is yes! Since Colorado doesn't require witness signatures, you can get creative. If you want your dog to sign (which would obviously be adorable), I suggest bringing an ink pad so you can stamp their paw.

Can I use my Colorado marriage license in a different state?
No. A Colorado marriage license must be signed in the state.

I'm a Colorado resident getting married in another state, what do I do?
You'll need to apply for a marriage license in the state where you're having the ceremony. Keep in mind that requirements vary by state, so your best bet is to Google the state's requirements. Or, if all else fails, just give the local County Clerk a call.

What's the quickest and easiest way to get legally married in Colorado?
You're allowed to self-solemnize in Colorado, meaning they don't need the signature of an officiating party. All you have to do is walk into a County Clerk's office with photo ID, fill out some quick paperwork, and sign your names. There's no waiting period, so you can file it right then. Quick, easy, legal. Here's some more info on how to self-solemnize in Colorado.

Can my friend officiate the wedding?
Yes, they can! If they need some help, check out my, "Wedding Officiant Coaching" services!

How Do I Get Legally Married?
It's easy! You need to apply for the marriage license, you need to fill out the marriage license, and you need to file the marriage license. Let's break it down…

Getting Legally Married

If you're having a full wedding, there are a lot of variables.

If you're just curious about the legal act of getting married in Colorado, it's as easy as this:
get the marriage license, sign it, and file it!

Step 1 - Get Your Marriage License
Go to a County Clerks office in Colorado on a weekday (no appointment necessary). You fill out some paperwork, they give you the license (within 20 minutes!). There is a County Clerk's office in EVERY county, so you have plenty of options.

Step 2 - Sign and Complete Your Marriage License
This can be done with an officiant (such as a minister) or by the couple themselves. You do NOT need the signature of a wedding officiant or a judge, nor do you need any witnesses to sign.

Step 3 - File That Thang
Bring it back in person to where you got it from, or mail it back!

Step 4 - Celebrate
Pop bottles!

Step 1 - Get Your Marriage License

In Colorado (and most of the United States), the marriage license is applied for and picked up at your local County Clerk's office. If you're getting married in Colorado, you should get your marriage license in Colorado—even if you're not a resident. This is because all US states recognize each others' marriage licenses, but most do not allow you to use their license in a different state. For example, a Colorado-resident couple can go to Nebraska, get a Nebraska marriage license, get married, and return to Colorado legally married. However, a Colorado-resident couple CANNOT get a Colorado marriage license and use it at a wedding in Nebraska.

To get a marriage license in Colorado, both partners need to go into a County Clerk's office on a weekday and fill out some paperwork. This process only takes about 20 minutes. If you prefer, you can complete some of the paperwork online beforehand—this is not required, but saves you about 10 minutes of time. (COVID-19 NOTE: You may need to make an appointment prior due to COVID-19 protocols).

Colorado's marriage license doesn't have a waiting period.

That just means that the day you get it, is the day you can use it. Keep in mind, once you get the license, it must be signed within 35 days and filed within 63 days. (I know, it's a random number, but I don't make rules, I just explain them.)
The entire in-person application is fast.
Expect to be walking out of the Clerk's office, with marriage license in hand, after about 20 minutes.
Colorado doesn't require a blood test or any other obscure documents.

All you need is a driver's license or another acceptable form of ID from both parties. You may also need supporting documentation for special cases such as: recently divorced, non-citizens, etc. More info on Denver's County Clerk page.
It only costs $30.
Some County Clerks only accept cash!
You don't have to do anything online before walking in.

But if you're feeling proactive, you can fill out some paperwork or make an appointment to save yourself a bit of time. (COVID-19 NOTE: You may need to make an appointment prior due to COVID-19 protocols).
Any county works!

A marriage license from any county in Colorado can be used in any other county in Colorado. But it must be filed (in person or by mail) in the county it was issued.
Widowed or divorced?

You'll need to provide some extra information when you apply. Details here.
Your officiant's signature isn't required.

You only need the signatures of the couple and someone with solemnizing authority (a minster or judge). Alternatively, in the state of Colorado, the couple can choose to solemnize their own marriage. This means the couple can sign on the officiant line to make the marriage legal.
Witnesses aren't required.

Colorado does not require any witnesses for a legal marriage, but there are two witness signature lines on the marriage license. For some reason, these are optional in the state of Colorado, so feel free to leave them blank if you want to. But if you want someone to sign the document, they absolutely can!

Step 2 - Sign and Complete Your License

Once you have your marriage license, you'll sign and fill out the details like date, location, etc. The officiant is usually responsible for filling this out. But again, Colorado does not require you to have the signature of an officiant—or witnesses! If you don't have an officiant, ask the County Clerk how it should be filled out when you pick it up.

Again, the exact process for filling out the license varies by county. If you have any questions, the government employee who issues the license is the expert—have them explain exactly what is required of the officiant and couple when it comes to filling it out.

Step 3- File That Thang

Filing your marriage license is pretty straightforward; just bring it back in person or mail it in to the County Clerk who issued it. Make sure to get certified copies. These cost $1.25 each, and I recommend getting three. You'll need this document for a number of legal actions regarding marriage and name changes, and having a few will make life easier.

Step 4 - Celebrate!

If you bring in your license in-person, it gets filed immediately. Otherwise, it'll take a few weeks if you mail it. But once you have your certified copies, you're able to start changing names, legally calling each other husband and wife, and all that good stuff.

If that isn't reason to celebrate, I don't know what is :)

Planning a simple wedding or elopement?

It's easier than you might have guessed! To plan your own wedding, simply:

Find a beautiful location
Again, Colorado has a ton of great options! Here's my guide to finding the perfect spot for your wedding.
Find some rockstar wedding professionals
Technically speaking, the officiant who performs the ceremony is the only person you actually need for a wedding ceremony. But if you want to go all out, photos, food, and flowers are all great choices! For that, you'll have to find the perfect wedding vendors.

Want your friend to officiate the wedding?
Checkout my "Wedding Officiant Coaching"
Have the ceremony
This can be as simple as the two of you "eloping" in the park, as elaborate as a full-scale wedding, or as adventurous as exchanging vows in the back of an airplane. Here are some ideas to help you create your own perfect ceremony.
**SIGN THE LICENSE!**
Really the only thing that legally matters. After you kiss, and before you start popping champaign, you gotta make it official…

Or let me do the planning for you!
Everything-needed packages for small weddings in Colorado…
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Colorado MicroWedding?

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Not Legal Advice

While anyone can choose to have a symbolic wedding ceremony, each state has its own requirements regarding how to make a marriage legal. Microweddings LLC cannot guarantee that you will be able to legally get married.

The information that Microweddings LLC has provided, is intended to convey general information only and not to provide legal advice or opinions. This information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No action should be taken in reliance on this information. Microweddings LLC disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this information to the fullest extent permitted by law. An attorney should be contacted for advice on specific legal issues.