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Colorado marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply

What Colorado's official pages say about getting married there: the fee, the waiting period, how long the license lasts, witnesses, officiants, ID and where to apply. Each rule links its source.

By Wedding RemedyPublished October 30, 2026

Editorial standards

Colorado marriage license at a glance

Fee: $30.00 at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, cash or debit/credit card only. Waiting period: No waiting period is stated; the license is valid when issued. How long it is valid: Valid upon issue and must be used in Colorado within 35 days.

Colorado counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from El Paso County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Colorado marriage license rules

The rules below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked October 30, 2026. Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the clerk where you apply before you rely on a rule.

Fee: $30.00 at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, cash or debit/credit card only. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Premarital education discount: None stated on the official pages we read. Check with your county clerk. Official page
Waiting period: No waiting period is stated; the license is valid when issued. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
How long the license is valid: Valid upon issue and must be used in Colorado within 35 days. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Where the license can be used: The license must be used in Colorado within 35 days. Licenses issued by another state are not valid for solemnization in Colorado. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Witnesses: Witnesses are not required, though some clergy, judges or officials may ask for them. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Who may officiate: Couples may solemnize their own marriage. Judges, retired judges, magistrates, authorized public officials, or a religious or tribal ceremony also qualify; clergy need not register. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Officiants ordained online: Not stated here. Ask the county clerk before you rely on an online ordination. Official page
Age: 18 and older may apply. Anyone younger than 18 is prohibited from obtaining a license, per the county page. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
ID and documents to bring: Both parties need valid ID with a legible birth date: passport, driver's license, birth certificate, or military card. Last four SSN digits are required. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Where to apply: El Paso County Recording Department at the main Clerk and Recorder office weekdays, or the North Office on Saturdays; no appointment, but complete the online application first. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Online application: Yes. Both parties must complete the online marriage application before coming to the office. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Certified copy of the marriage certificate: El Paso County Recording Department: $0.25 per copy plus $1.00 per certified document, with a request form; state records can be requested online at CDPHE. (Source: clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com, checked October 30, 2026)

Common questions

How much is a marriage license in Colorado?

$30.00 at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, cash or debit/credit card only. Colorado counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from El Paso County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Is there a waiting period to get married in Colorado?

No waiting period is stated; the license is valid when issued.

How long is a Colorado marriage license valid?

Valid upon issue and must be used in Colorado within 35 days.

Do you need witnesses to get married in Colorado?

Witnesses are not required, though some clergy, judges or officials may ask for them.

Who can officiate a wedding in Colorado?

Couples may solemnize their own marriage. Judges, retired judges, magistrates, authorized public officials, or a religious or tribal ceremony also qualify; clergy need not register.

How do you get a certified copy of a Colorado marriage certificate?

El Paso County Recording Department: $0.25 per copy plus $1.00 per certified document, with a request form; state records can be requested online at CDPHE.

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