Marriage License Fees

Colorado · 2026

Colorado Marriage License: Cost and Requirements

A marriage license in Colorado costs $30, and there is no waiting period. The license is good for 35 days.

Colorado marriage license fees by county

Fees for the 6 counties we have verified, largest first. Each row links to a county page with where to apply and the official clerk link.

CountyLicenseCertified copyCourthouse ceremonyWait
El Paso County$30$1Not offeredNo waiting period
Denver County$30$1.25—No waiting period
Arapahoe County$30$1.25—No waiting period
Jefferson County$30$1.25$60No waiting period
Adams County$30$1.25Not offeredNo waiting period
Douglas County$30$1.25—No waiting period

— means the figure is not in our data. Check the county's official page.

Colorado marriage license rules

License fee

$30 (C.R.S. §14-2-106)

The fee is $30 statewide: state law adds a $20 domestic-abuse fund charge and a vital-records charge to the $7 license fee. Every county page we checked charged $30.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Waiting period

No waiting period

There is no waiting period; the license can be used the day it is issued.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

How long the license is valid

35 days

The license must be used within 35 days and only in Colorado. Unused licenses become void.

Source: content.leg.colorado.gov

Minimum age and parental consent

18

Both partners must be 18 or older, with no exceptions. the 2024 printed statute still allowed ages 16 and 17 with a judge's approval, but El Paso County's current page says under-18 licenses are prohibited.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

What to bring

Both partners show valid ID with a legible date of birth, such as a passport, driver's license or birth certificate. The application asks for the last four digits of each Social Security number.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Blood test

Not required

No blood test is required.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Do both of you have to appear?

No

Both partners do not have to appear. If one cannot come, the absent partner signs a notarized absentee affidavit and sends a copy of their ID.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Applying online

Varies by county

State law lets each county clerk choose to issue licenses through a video or online appearance. Counties decide whether to offer it.

Source: content.leg.colorado.gov

Who can officiate

Includes self-uniting

Judges, magistrates, public officials, religious officiants or the couple themselves may solemnize the marriage. Self-uniting marriage is allowed.

Source: content.leg.colorado.gov

Witnesses

None required

No witnesses are required, though some officiants may ask for them.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Proxy marriage

Allowed

Proxy marriage is allowed when one partner is a Colorado resident and other conditions in the statute are met, including an absentee affidavit from the absent partner.

Source: content.leg.colorado.gov

Out-of-state couples

Out-of-state couples can get a Colorado license from a county clerk, but a license from another state cannot be used in Colorado. A Colorado license cannot be used outside the state.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Who issues the license

County clerk and recorder

Licenses are issued by the county clerk and recorder in any Colorado county.

Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com

Not in our data yet: premarital course discount. Ask your county office.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a marriage license in Colorado?

$30. The fee is $30 statewide: state law adds a $20 domestic-abuse fund charge and a vital-records charge to the $7 license fee. Every county page we checked charged $30.

Is there a waiting period in Colorado?

No. There is no waiting period; the license can be used the day it is issued.

How long is a Colorado marriage license valid?

35 days. The license must be used within 35 days and only in Colorado. Unused licenses become void.

How old do you have to be to get married in Colorado?

Both partners must be 18 or older, with no exceptions. the 2024 printed statute still allowed ages 16 and 17 with a judge's approval, but El Paso County's current page says under-18 licenses are prohibited.

Does Colorado require a blood test?

No. No blood test is required.

Do you need witnesses to get married in Colorado?

No witnesses are required, though some officiants may ask for them.

Sources

Last verified . Fees and rules change; confirm with your county before you go. Spot an error? Report it.

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