Begin the process by applying online, which will significantly speed up the processing time when the couple appears for their appointment in the Recording office to obtain their license.
For Marriage Licenses, both applicants should be over the age of 18. Proof of identification and age is required.
Proof of Identification and Age:
Proof of Identification (must be accompanied by proof of age):
Proof of Age (must be accompanied by photo proof of identification):
If either party is 16 or 17 years of age at the time of application, the following requirements must be met:
For Civil Unions, both parties must be 18 years of age.
Proof of Identification and Age:
Proof of Identification (must be accompanied by proof of age):
Proof of Age (must be accompanied by photo proof of identification):
Per Colorado Revised Statutes, the last four digits of a social security number are required on Marriage License and Civil Union applications. If an applicant does not have a social security number, complete and sign this affidavit stating that the party does not have a social security number.
The fee for a Marriage or Civil Union License is $30 payable by cash or credit card only. Please note that credit card transactions will be charged a convenience fee by the third-party vendor.
If either party has been divorced the following information must be provided:
Applicants for a Marriage or Civil Union License do not need to be Colorado residents.
However, licenses issued in Colorado are only valid for use in Colorado.
Licenses must be used in Colorado within 35 days of being issued. Licenses issued more than 35 days before the date of the ceremony will not be valid.
You may apply for a license anytime. Once you pick up your license, you must have your ceremony within 35 days.
Licenses must be used in Colorado within 35 days of being issued. Licenses issued more than 35 days before the date of the ceremony will not be valid.
Couples may apply for and receive a Marriage or Civil Union License at the Douglas County Recording office located at 301 Wilcox Street in Castle Rock.
Appointments may be scheduled 28 days in advance, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). If there are no openings, please try again the following morning.
Both applicants must appear. If one of the applicants cannot appear, the Marriage License Absentee Affidavit or Civil Union Absentee Affidavit must be completed.
You may obtain your license from any County in Colorado. The only restriction is that you MUST return the license to the issuing County.
No.
Marriage or Civil Union between first Cousins is permitted in Colorado.
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 35 days after the Marriage or Civil Union License is issued in order for it to be lawfully valid.
Religious Ceremonies
Religious officiants must sign the license and be recognized by the organization that ordained them to lawfully perform ceremonies in Colorado.
Civil Ceremonies
Judicial officiants must be recognized by the State of Colorado to perform ceremonies and must sign the license as the Officiant with their title. Click here for information on judges who perform Marriages/Civil Unions in Douglas County
Please note: Friends or relatives can not solemnize a marriage or union unless authorized to conduct a religious or civil ceremony in Colorado.
Self Solemnization
A couple may self solemnize and declare themselves legally married/joined in union by signing and recording their license at the Douglas County Recording office.
A self-solemnization is a ceremony in which the couple declares themselves married/joined in union by signing and recording the license at the Douglas County Recording office. The marriage/union is as legally binding as if a religious or civil officiant performed the ceremony.
No. However, witnesses may sign the license if the couple would like them to.
After the original Marriage or Civil Union License has been signed by all parties involved, it must be returned to the Recording Office. This must occur within 63 days of the ceremony. Any license not returned to our office within 63 days from the date of the ceremony shall incur a minimum late fee of not less than $20.00 with an additional $5.00 assessed each day thereafter not to exceed $50.00. The postmark will be used to calculate applicable late fees.
Simply put the license into the envelope provided to you and either mail it or personally return it to our office for recording. Once the license has been recorded, it will be returned to you at the address provided at the time of application. The license should be kept as a permanent record.
If you would like copies of your marriage license, you may request them when you return your license (see next FAQ). Never submit the original license to anyone for documentation purposes; you may not get it back. A copy of a Marriage or Civil Union License is not considered to be “official” unless it is obtained from the County Clerk’s Office.
Marriage/Civil Union License Applications are held confidential under Colorado Law. For circumstances requiring documentation of the marriage, a certified copy of the license or application may be obtained for $1.25 per copy.
Parties to the marriage/union or immediate family members must provide photo ID with the request. Immediate family members must also provide proof of relationship. To request copies of the license application by mail, please use this form and include a copy of your photo ID.
Shipping and handling charges apply as follows:
To avoid paying a shipping and handling charge, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your copy request. Make sure the envelope is large enough for the number of copies requested and if paying by check, please make check payable to Douglas County Clerk.
When you receive your marriage license, there will be a Marriage and Civil Union License Guide with name change guidelines included in your envelope. If you misplace the brochure and need another one, simply call our office at 303-660-7446, email us at recording@douglas.co.us
A common law marriage is when a couple has presented themselves and been acknowledged as a married couple, even though there was no ceremony or marriage license obtained.
There is not. A couple may apply for a Marriage or Civil Union License to use in a Religious or Civil ceremony, or Self Solemnize by signing and recording their license during their Recording office appointment.
