Do You Need Witnesses to Get Married in Colorado?

No, you do not need witnesses to get married in Colorado. The marriage statute lists who must be involved in solemnizing and registering a marriage, and witnesses are not on that list. Colorado also lets couples marry themselves, so a legal wedding here can involve as few as two people in the room.1Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-109 – Solemnization and Registration of Marriages

What the Marriage Certificate Actually Requires

Colorado Revised Statutes ยง 14-2-109 identifies who must sign the certificate: either the person who solemnized the marriage or, if the couple self-solemnized, one of the spouses. There is no witness signature line required by law. You can invite friends to watch, and you can ask someone to sign the certificate for sentimental reasons, but the state does not check for or require any witness.1Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-109 – Solemnization and Registration of Marriages

Self-Solemnization: You Can Marry Yourselves

Colorado is one of a small number of states that lets the couple act as their own officiant. The statute authorizes marriage “by the parties to the marriage,” meaning no clergy, judge, or third party has to be involved at all.1Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-109 – Solemnization and Registration of Marriages One of you completes the marriage certificate and returns it to the county clerk.

This is why elopements, mountaintop ceremonies, and courthouse-free weddings are so common in Colorado. A self-solemnized marriage carries the same legal weight as any other. You still need to obtain a marriage license first and return the completed certificate afterward.

Who Can Officiate if You Want Someone To

If you’d rather have someone perform the ceremony, Colorado’s list of authorized officiants is wide:1Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-109 – Solemnization and Registration of Marriages

  • Any judge of a court, court magistrate, or retired judge.
  • Any public official whose powers include solemnizing marriages.
  • Anyone acting under a mode of solemnization recognized by a religious denomination or an Indian nation or tribe.

The religious-denomination language is broad enough to cover ordained ministers, rabbis, imams, and friends who get ordained online through organizations like the Universal Life Church, because the statute focuses on the denomination’s recognition rather than a state registration process. Colorado also does not require out-of-state clergy to register before performing a ceremony here.

Getting the Marriage License First

Whatever ceremony you choose, you need a marriage license from any County Clerk and Recorder’s office in Colorado before the wedding. At least one party must appear in person, and both must sign the application. An absent party can submit a notarized absentee affidavit with a copy of their ID.2Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-106 – License to Marry Many counties take appointments only, so call ahead.

Bring valid government-issued ID. The total license fee is $30 at most counties: a $7 marriage license fee, $20 directed to the Colorado Domestic Abuse Program Fund, and a smaller amount for vital statistics records.2Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-106 – License to Marry Payment methods vary by county.

Both parties must be at least 18 to marry without court involvement. A 16- or 17-year-old needs juvenile court approval, with a guardian ad litem appointed to review whether the marriage serves the minor’s best interests; pregnancy alone is not enough.3FindLaw. Colorado Code 14-2-108 – Judicial Approval of Underage Marriages No one under 16 can marry in Colorado. Marriages between close relatives, or where either party is still married or in a civil union, cannot be licensed.4Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-110 – Prohibited Marriages

Deadlines That Do Matter

Once issued, a Colorado marriage license is valid for 35 days. If the ceremony or self-solemnization doesn’t happen in that window, you’ll need to apply and pay for a new one.

After the marriage, whoever solemnized it (or one spouse, if self-solemnized) must complete the certificate and return it to the issuing County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days. Miss that deadline and the person responsible owes a late fee of at least $20, plus $5 per extra day, up to a maximum of $50. The postmark date counts as the filing date.1Justia Law. Colorado Code 14-2-109 – Solemnization and Registration of Marriages A late certificate also delays your ability to order certified copies, which you’ll need for name changes, insurance, and anything else that asks for proof of marriage.

So: no witnesses, no required officiant, no mandatory audience. Just the license, the two of you, and the paperwork returned on time.