Marriage License Fee in Colorado

The fee on this page covers the county clerk and recorder issuing the license and handling the marriage certificate after the ceremony. The license is the legal authorization to marry and is issued only after a completed application is submitted and the statutory fees are paid. The marriage certificate is the record that gets filed back with the clerk after the ceremony.

This fee does not include optional services such as certified copies, notary services, or courier delivery of documents. Always confirm the current total and payment methods with the county clerk and recorder where you plan to apply. If you self-solemnize, the same fee applies because the license and certificate process is the same.

14-2-106. The county clerk and recorder collects a $7 marriage license fee, a $20 fee that is transmitted to the Colorado domestic abuse program fund, and an additional amount established under C.R.S. 25-2-121 for the vital statistics records cash fund. The clerk is required to transmit the $20 portion to the state treasurer for the domestic abuse program fund, and the vital statistics amount supports statewide records.

Counties publish the combined total; for example, Larimer County lists a $30 marriage license fee. Because the fee structure is established by statute and includes multiple components, confirm the current total with your county in case the vital statistics amount changes. If you need certified copies, those are separate charges and are not included in the license fee.

C.R.S. 14-2-106 requires the application to be completed and signed by both parties, and at least one party must appear before the county clerk and recorder. Counties set local appointment policies and may require both parties to appear in person, so verify the policy for your clerk.

Larimer County, for example, asks both parties to be present after completing an online application. If only one party will appear, confirm with the clerk how the absent party must sign and what identification is required.

The application must list each party's name, sex, address, last four digits of the Social Security number, and date and place of birth. It must also include proof of identity and date of birth, which may be shown by a birth certificate, driver's license, passport, or other comparable evidence. The application asks for the names and addresses of parents or guardians and whether the parties are related, including the nature of the relationship.

If the parties are currently married to each other, the application must state that. These statutory requirements explain why clerks require identification documents and detailed personal information when you apply. If you are using a passport or another form of identity not listed, confirm with the clerk that it will be accepted as comparable evidence.

If either party has been previously married, the application must include the prior married name and the date, place, and court of dissolution or invalidity, or the date and place of death of the former spouse. If either party has been a partner in a civil union, the application must list the former partner and the date, place, and court where the civil union was dissolved or declared invalid, or the date and place of death of the former partner.

Bring the required details with you; missing information can delay issuance.

14-2-108. Section 14-2-108 allows a juvenile court to order the clerk to issue a license to a person who is sixteen or seventeen only after appointing a guardian ad litem and finding that the marriage is in the underage party's best interests. The court must consider factors such as the wishes of the underage party, the views of parents or guardians if known, and the underage party's ability to assume marital responsibilities.

Pregnancy alone does not establish that a marriage is in the best interests of a minor. If either applicant is under eighteen, you must obtain the court order and bring it to the clerk before a license can be issued.

The statute prohibits marriages entered into before the dissolution of an earlier marriage or civil union, and it prohibits marriages between certain close relatives, including ancestors and descendants, siblings, and uncles or aunts with nieces or nephews, except for marriages permitted by established customs of aboriginal cultures. The clerk must have satisfactory proof that the marriage is not prohibited before issuing a license.

If you have questions about eligibility due to prior marriages or family relationships, ask the clerk before applying.

A Colorado license is not valid outside the state, and it is valid for only thirty-five days after the date of issuance. If the license is not used within thirty-five days, it is void and must be returned to the clerk for cancellation.

This means you should apply close enough to your ceremony date to stay within the 35-day window and plan around the clerk's office hours. Keep the issuance timestamp in mind when scheduling a same-day ceremony.

Colorado is one of the few states that allows self-solemnization, meaning the couple can solemnize their own marriage without an officiant. Counties may provide instructions for self-solemnization when you apply, and the couple must still complete the marriage certificate form.

If you use an officiant, confirm that the person is authorized and understands the certificate return requirements, because the return deadline and late fees apply regardless of who conducts the ceremony.

C.R.S. 14-2-109 requires that one party be a Colorado resident, one party appear in person to apply and pay the required fees, and both parties be at least eighteen years old. Both signatures are required, and the party who appears must submit an absentee affidavit with the notarized signature of the absent party plus proper identification for the absent party.

If a party cannot be present at the ceremony, proxy solemnization is limited to situations involving military service members or qualifying government contractors supporting U.S. military operations in another state or country, and the officiant must be satisfied or a court order may be required. Because the proxy option is narrow and documentation-heavy, contact the county clerk and recorder in advance to confirm the affidavit form, identification standards, and any court procedures.

The statute authorizes a late fee of not less than twenty dollars if the certificate is not forwarded on time, plus an additional five dollars per day up to a maximum of fifty dollars. The postmark date controls whether the return is late.

Returning the certificate promptly is the step that allows the clerk to record the marriage and issue certified copies. If you self-solemnize, you are responsible for completing and returning the certificate.

County clerks use those standardized forms when issuing licenses. After the ceremony, the completed certificate is forwarded back to the clerk for recording.

This statewide form requirement helps ensure that recorded marriage certificates include consistent information for vital statistics. If you need to correct information on the certificate, ask the clerk about the correction process and whether a court order or amended form is required.

Larimer County, for example, offers an online application and then requires applicants to finalize the license in person at a clerk and recorder office with valid identification. Larimer County lists a $30 license fee and notes that Colorado licenses must be used within 35 days of issuance and cannot be used outside the state. The county explains that couples may self-solemnize and that witnesses are not required, though officiants may still be used.

Larimer County also notes that the marriage certificate must be returned to the clerk after the ceremony and that late fees can apply if it is not returned within the statutory deadline. The county states that applicants do not need to be Colorado residents to obtain a license. Use this as a local example and verify your county's requirements, hours, and payment methods before you apply.

C.R.S. 14-2-106 requires proof that the marriage is not prohibited and that each party meets the age requirement. Applications can also be delayed if only one party appears without a completed and signed application for both parties. Another common issue is applying too early; licenses expire after 35 days and cannot be used outside Colorado.

After issuance, delays in returning the certificate can prevent the clerk from recording the marriage and issuing certified copies, and can trigger late fees. Proxy marriages require extra affidavits and notarization, which can also slow issuance. Verify documents, timing, and the certificate return process before you apply.