The Marriage License Process
- The couple must first meet the general requirements and restrictions
- The couple applies for and is issued a marriage license no more than 30 days before the ceremony
- The marriage (and license) are solemnized (for example, a religious ceremony)
- After the solemnized , the couple has their marriage license recorded
Each of these items are discussed in detail below.
General Requirements and Restrictions
Age Requirements
If both parties are 18 or older at the time of application, no parental consent is required.
If either party is 16 or 17 years of age at the time of application, Parental consent is required as follows:
- Consent of both parents; or
- the parent having legal custody; or
- the child's legal guardian; or
- judicial approval (court order)
if either party is less than 16 years of age at the time of application:
- Parental consent as listed above; and
- Judicial approval (court order) is required
- There are NO EXCEPTIONS
Blood Test Requirements
As of July 1, 1989, blood tests are NOT required for either party in the State of Colorado.
Social Security Number Required
Per Colorado Revised Statute § 14-14-113, social security numbers are required on the marriage license application. If an applicant does not have a social security number, an affidavit provided by the Clerk's Office must be signed stating that the party does not have a social security number.
Prohibited Marriages
- Ancestor and descendant
- Siblings
- Uncle and Niece
- Aunt and Nephew
- Same sex couples
Marriage between first Cousins is permitted in Colorado.
Applying for a Marriage License
Important Information about Marriage Licenses
- Marriage Licenses are valid for 30 days after issuance
- Licenses issued more than 30 days prior to the ceremony will not be valid.
- Both parties must appear in person to be issued a license If this is not possible, one party must appear with a completed and notarized absentee affidavit as well as approved original identification for the absent party.
- If either party has been divorced, that party must provide:
- The date of the divorce
- Type of court where the divorce took place
- The location where the divorce occurred (city/state)
- Applicants for a Colorado marriage license do not need to be Colorado residents
- Marriage licenses issued in Colorado must be used in Colorado
- Solemnized Marriage Licenses must be returned to the county of issuance to be recorded
Proof of Identity Required
Applicants must provide proof of identity and date of birth. All identity documents must be in English. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Driver's License
- Birth Certificate (Presenting a birth certificate as proof of age and/or identity requires some form of photo ID.)
- Passport
- Military Identification
Pre-apply for Marriage License to Save Time
Once a marriage license is issued, it is valid for 30 days, however; parties may apply for a marriage license at any time.
Online Marriage License Application »
Printable Marriage License Application »
Both parties must appear in person in order to be issued a marriage license
Fees and Costs
The fee for a Marriage License is $30, payable by cash or credit card only. Additional copies of the license (after recording) are $1.25 each. Shipping and handling charges may apply.
Locations that Issue Marriage Licenses
In Douglas County, you can apply and be issued a Marriage License at any of the following locations:
Recording Division
301 Wilcox Street
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
Marriage License Hours: 8am until 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Highlands Ranch Motor Vehicle
2223 W. Wildcat Reserve Parkway, unit G-1
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126
Marriage License Hours: 9am until 4pm, Monday through Friday
Parker Ranch Motor Vehicle
16522 Keystone Blvd, Unit F
Parker, Colorado 80134
Marriage License Hours: 9am until 4pm, Monday through Friday
Solemnizing The Marriage
Colorado allows for three types of solemnization: Religious, Civil, or Self. Regardless of which type is selected, witness' signatures are not required on the marriage license. The ceremony must occur within 30 days after the license is issued in order for it to be lawfully valid.
Religious Ceremonies
Religious officiants must sign the marriage license and must be recognized by the organization that ordained them to lawfully perform marriage ceremonies in Colorado. Out-of-state clergy do not need to be registered in Colorado, but must be authorized by their organization / entity to perform ceremonies in Colorado.
Civil Ceremonies
Judicial officiants must be recognized by the State of Colorado to perform marriages and must sign the marriage license.
Judges who perform civil marriage ceremonies »
Self Solemnized Licenses
A couple may choose to not have either a religious or civil ceremony and declare themselves legally married under C.R.S.§ 14-2-109. Friend or relatives can not solemnize their marriage unless they are authorized to conduct a religious or civil ceremony in Colorado.
Recording the Marriage License
After the original marriage license has been signed by all parties involved, it must be returned to the Castle Rock Recording Office within 60 days after issuance of the license. After it has been recorded, the original marriage license will be returned to your home address for you to keep as a permanent record.
Never submit your original license to anyone for documentation purposes; you may not get it back. For circumstances requiring documentation of your marriage license, a certified copy may be obtained for $1.25 per copy. A copy of a marriage license is not considered to be "official" unless it is obtained from the County Clerk's Office.
You may obtain as many certified copies as you wish at any time. When requesting a copy, please include a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to avoid postage and handling charges. If you are unable to include the SASE shipping & handling charges will apply.