Checklist
Both applicants must provide the following to obtain a marriage license:
- ID (Please have one of the following ready during the video meeting):
- Current U.S. driver’s license
- Colorado licenses with the black strip that reads, “Not valid for federal identification…” are not accepted
- Passport
- Original or certified copy of birth certificate
- Current U.S. driver’s license
- Social Security number (if a foreign applicant doesn’t have a Social Security number they must complete a Sworn Statement Affidavit, which will be virtually signed at the same time as the application)
- $30 fee for the license (e-check and credit card accepted; minimal fee for using a credit card of $0.75 + 2.26% of the total)
Divorced Applicants
If either applicant is divorced, provide the following in addition to the items listed above:
- Date of divorce (month/day/year)
- Place of divorce (city and state)
- Type of court for the divorce
Widowed Applicants
If either applicant is widowed, provide the following in addition to the items detailed above:
- Date of death (month/day/year)
- Place of death (city and state)
Age Requirements
Applicants for a marriage license must be 18 years of age or older. Applicants who are 16 and 17 years of age require judicial approval.
Restrictions
Marriages are prohibited between the following:
- Ancestor and descendant
- Brother and sister
- Uncle and niece
- Aunt and nephew
Marriage License Details
- Marriage licenses must be used within 35 days from the date of issue, anywhere in Colorado
- Marriage licenses may be obtained in any county, regardless of where the ceremony will take place in Colorado
- Witnesses are not required
- Blood tests are not required
Officiants
A marriage may be performed by the following:
- The couple themselves (self-solemnization)
- Judge or court magistrate
- Religious or tribal official authorized to perform a ceremony
- Other public official authorized to perform a ceremony
Find judges and magistrates who perform ceremonies in Boulder County.
Proxy Marriages
A proxy marriage may be performed if:
- One party to the proxy marriage is a Colorado resident, and
- One party is a member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in another country or in another state in support of combat or another military operation, or is a government contractor, or an employee of a government contractor, working in support of the armed forces of the United States or in support of United States military operations in another country or in another state.
If the parties to the marriage plan on having a proxy marriage, one of the applicants must apply in person and provide the following:
- Original Absentee application completed, signed and notarized (view instructions)
- Applicant must complete the Sworn Statement Affidavit if they do not have a Social Security number
- Copy of the absent party’s ID used for notarizing the affidavit
- Authorization of Proxy Marriage completed, signed and notarized
- Copy of the military or contractor ID
Recording a Marriage License
Licenses may be submitted by mail or placed in one or our drop boxes in Boulder or Longmont. It will be returned within two weeks from the time we received it. To record the license:
- Complete the ‘marriage certificate’ portion of the license
- Signatures of witnesses are not required
- Put in provided envelope or a blank one marked “Recording” and place in our drop box OR mail the license to 1750 33rd St., Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301
If a marriage license is not returned to the parties one month after the ceremony, contact the office. The Recording Division may not have received the license from the officiating party.