How Do I...

...get married in Colorado?

Colorado recognizes both ceremonial and common law marriages.

  • Ceremonial marriages

    If both parties are over age 18, you must both go to a county clerk and recorder’s office to sign an application and pay the fee for the license. You must both bring proofs of your age and identity in English (examples of acceptable proof include a driver’s license, state identification card, birth certificate, or passport). If either party is divorced, you must provide the date of the divorce, and the type of court, city, and state where the divorce was granted.

    After you receive the license, you must have the marriage solemnized (ceremony performed) and return the license to the county clerk and recorder’s office within 30 days.

    The marriage ceremony may be performed by

    • a judge
    • a retired judge
    • a magistrate
    • any public official authorized to perform marriages
    • any person recognized as authorized to perform marriages by
      • any religious denomination
      • any Indian nation
      • any Indian tribe
    • the people getting married

      Note: Friends or relatives may only perform the ceremony if they are in the list above.

      If one or both parties are under age 18, contact a county clerk and recorder’s office for details on consent you must have. Once you have the proper consent, you will need to follow the same directions as when both parties are over age 18.

      Common law marriages

      A common-law marriage in Colorado is valid for all purposes, the same as a ceremonial marriage. It can be terminated only by death or divorce. The common-law elements of a valid marriage are that the couple

      • is free to contract a valid ceremonial marriage, that is, they are not already married to someone else
      • holds themselves out as husband and wifeconsents to the marriage
      • cohabits
      • has the reputation in the community as being married.