How to Get a Marriage License in Colorado
Colorado marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $30 (statewide statutory fee at the County Clerk)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Colorado is different. self-solemnization / self-uniting (Quaker) marriages — no officiant required
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
Couples seeking to marry in Colorado must apply for a marriage license through the County Clerk and Recorder in the county where either party resides or plans to marry. The statutory fee is $30, set by state law and consistent across counties. Both parties must present a government-issued photo ID. Colorado has no residency requirement and no waiting period. Once issued, the license remains valid for 35 days. The minimum age to marry without parental consent is 18; individuals aged 16 or 17 may marry with written consent from a parent or legal guardian, while those under 16 must obtain approval through the juvenile court.
A distinguishing feature of Colorado's marriage law is that couples are permitted to solemnize their own marriage without an officiant or witnesses present. Prospective applicants should confirm the current fee, eligibility requirements, and application procedures directly with their County Clerk and Recorder office or through the official Colorado state government website, as administrative rules and processes may be subject to change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Colorado |
|---|---|
| License fee | $30 (statewide statutory fee at the County Clerk) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 35 days |
| ID required | government photo ID for both parties |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental/guardian consent; under 16 requires juvenile-court approval |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required (couple may self-solemnize) |
| Online option | self-solemnization allowed — couple can solemnize their own marriage (no officiant) |
| Where to apply | County Clerk and Recorder (statutory fee, county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Colorado requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Colorado marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.