If you’ve never heard of self-solemnizing, you’re probably in the majority. Self-solemnizing is something you can’t do in every state, however, it is recognized in every state as a legal marriage.
When you self-solemnize you and your partner are marrying yourselves, you don’t need witnesses (though you can have them), and you don’t need an officiant.
Colorado is one of the few states that allows for this and it’s a really sweet and intimate way to make sure your wedding ceremony is exactly what you want it to be.
Okay, so you know you want to have a self-solemnizing ceremony…now what?
If your Colorado wedding or elopement is a destination event, make sure your marriage license will be accepted in other states. A few states (like Texas) allow you to perform your wedding ceremony in a different state and then return to Texas to file it. If you aren’t sure what your state’s laws are, 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, DON’T WORRY! You’ll just need to get a Colorado marriage license when you arrive!
You’ll go to a County Clerk’s office with a photo ID (an appointment may be required), fill out some quick paperwork, and sign your names. There’s no waiting period, so you can file it right then! Now you’re all set for your ceremony. For your ceremony, you can do all of the “traditional” things, or you can spice it up and do whatever you want! After your ceremony, if you do have a witness they can of course sign your marriage license (and yes, your photographer can count!), or you can skip that part. In Colorado you can also have your dog be your witness (I’m serious), just bring a little ink pad for their paw, and then press their inked paw into the marriage license and you’re all set! How cute??
After your ceremony, you’ll file your marriage license and presto, you’re legally married!
Prefer to get married at a Denver courthouse? I got you covered…
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