The Recording Division physical office is closed to the public. Online/phone services are available Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Limited in-person services are available by appointment.

Apply for Marriage License

The Boulder County Recording Division is closed to the public and uses a remote process for obtaining a Marriage License.

Marriage License Requirements

To obtain a marriage license remotely, you will need the following:

Access to the internet on a computer (for application)
Video chat capability (for appointment)
Required ID (scroll down for checklist)
Payment (credit card only, to be processed during appointment)
Both parties are present, together in the same room, and in Colorado to apply for the license
Plan to marry is within the State of Colorado
We cannot mail an issued license outside the state of Colorado.
- If you are coming from out-of-state, please contact the Recording office for pickup options.
- Same-day pickup is required for out-of-state applicants by the actual applicants to ensure you are present in Colorado.

Once the application process and online appointment is completed, your application and marriage license will be mailed to you, unless you are from out of state. If so, during your appointment, a pickup time will be arranged for that same day. The signed application and license must both be returned to our office to be considered valid.

Note: Applicants requiring an Absentee Affidavit cannot be done remotely. Please contact the office for details.

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

Applying for Marriage License – Key Steps

Complete the online application.
Schedule an appointment for a video call for ID verification. Appointments with Spanish-speaking staff members are available.
Download Microsoft Teams in advance of your appointment. Application is free and available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices.
Look for 2 emails: First, an automatic email will be sent confirming your appointment time. A second email will be sent separately by a staff member with a Teams Meeting invitation. When it is time for your appointment, click on the link in the second email that says “Join the meeting now.” Both parties must be present in the same room and have IDs and payment ready.
- E-Signatures: During your virtual appointment, you will be sent invites to virtually sign your marriage application. After reviewing your application, the invite will come through your email and provide you steps to sign. Applicant 1 signs and then chooses the “Next Signer” button. The screen will refresh and be ready for Applicant 2 to sign.
After your appointment, the license will be mailed to you via USPS. Once you receive this, you must:
1. Complete the certificate portion of the license on your wedding day.
2. Return the completed license to the Recording office. A pre-addressed envelope will be provided. You will need postage unless you choose to use our drop box in Boulder or Longmont.

Please note your license will not be recorded and will not be considered valid if the signed document is not returned.

Statement: Pursuant to C.R.S. 14-2.106.5 (3) the Recording Division staff has completed the required training and curricula developed by the Human Trafficking Council created in section 18-3-505.

Filling Out the Marriage Certificate when Self-Solemnizing

See the sample image for assistance.

Enter the Colorado county where the ceremony is taking place
Enter day, month, time, and location of ceremony
Signatures of Party One and Party Two – the parties to the marriage
Printed Names of Party One and Party Two – the parties to the marriage
Party One Signature
Party Two Signature
Witness signatures not required

Sample Marriage Certificate — Click image to enlarge and see details.

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
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)

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

Please note your license will not be recorded and will not be considered valid if the signed document is not returned. 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.

Other Requirements and Restrictions

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.

Other Restrictions

Marriages are prohibited between the following:

Ancestor and descendant
Brother and sister
Uncle and niece
Aunt and nephew

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)
- 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

Contact Us

Recording Division

303-413-7770
303-413-7775 (Fax)
recording@bouldercounty.gov

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
Closed Fridays

Locations

Boulder (Main Office):
1750 33rd St.
Boulder, CO 80301
Directions

Lafayette
1755 S. Public Road
Lafayette, CO 80026
Directions

Longmont*
529 Coffman St.
Longmont, CO 80501
Directions

* The Longmont office is temporarily located inside the main Boulder County building at 515 Coffman. Same building, just enter main doors.

Mailing Address

1750 33rd St., Suite 201
Boulder, CO 80301