Colorado Marriage License Requirements
Colorado is different. self-solemnization / self-uniting (Quaker) marriages — no officiant required
In Colorado, individuals seeking a marriage license must present a government-issued photo identification. The state does not impose a residency requirement. Regarding age, applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental or guardian consent, and individuals under 16 may marry only with approval from the juvenile court. Colorado does not require a blood test before marriage.
Colorado is distinctive among states in permitting self-solemnization, meaning a couple may marry without an officiant or witnesses present. No witnesses are required regardless of whether an officiant conducts the ceremony. The statutory marriage-license fee is $30. Prospective couples should confirm current eligibility requirements, procedures, and fees with their county clerk's office or the Colorado state government website, as requirements may be subject to change.
| 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 |
Confirm locally. Requirements come from public-record state law and can change. Verify with the issuing county clerk or state .gov. Informational only — not legal advice.
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