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How do I get married/elope in Colorado? Here’s what you need to know.

February 28, 2023

How do I get married/elope in Colorado? Here's what you need to know.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding in Colorado! Here are some things you might want to know:

Marriage license: To get married in Colorado, you will need to obtain a marriage license from a County Clerk and Recorder’s office in Colorado. Both parties must appear in person to apply for the license and provide identification such as a driver’s license or passport. After the ceremony, you’ll have to file the marriage license just like you would for any other wedding!

Waiting period: There is no waiting period to get married in Colorado, so you can get your marriage license and get married on the same day.

Marriage ceremony: Colorado is unique in the sense that you don’t need an officiant to marry you…Of course, you can have one, but you can also do something called a self-solemnizing ceremony. Put plainly: Self-solemnizing is the act of becoming legally married by agreement between two people. All you have to do is walk into 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!

Dogs as witnesses: In Colorado, you don’t need to have a witness for your wedding ceremony, but of course, you can. Your photographer (hi!) can count as your witness, or (and more importantly) if you bring your dog along for your ceremony, they can legally count as a witness. Have you ever heard of anything more Colorado?? You’ll just need an ink pad and you can ink up their paw, and press it onto your marriage license as a signature!

Outdoor weddings: Colorado has some beautiful outdoor wedding venues, and you can get married in a park or other outdoor location if you obtain the necessary permits. Be sure to check with the local authorities for any specific requirements or restrictions. Permits can take days, weeks, and sometimes months to get approved and always come with a fee. Make sure to plan ahead and know what permits you’ll need in order to get married where you want! In National Parks, other restrictions and regulations are required. See here for more info on getting married in a National Park.

If you want to self-solemnize, check this out.

If you want a Denver courthouse ceremony, check this out.

Happy planning!

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