Marriage License

Tables of Contents:

• Where & when can a marriage license be obtained?
• Fees
• Parental Consent
• Identification
• Social Security Number Required
• Apply in Person
• Proxy Marriage
• Marriage Solemnization
• Prohibitions
• Marriage Application Copy Request Form
• Marriage License Copy Request Form
• Statewide General Information of Marriages and Dissolutions
  
  

Where & when can a marriage license be obtained?

Main Office:
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
La Plata County Clerk and Recorder's office - Bodo
98 Everett Street Suite C
Durango, CO 81303

Fees

The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $30.00. The license may be used immediately within the State of Colorado and is valid for 35 days from the date of issue.

 

Parental Consent

Legal age without parental consent is 18 for both persons. If under the age of 18 and over the age of 16, written and notarized consent signed by both parents (or parent having legal custody), or legal guardian is required. A Judicial Court Order from the court of jurisdiction is required of anyone under the age of 16.

Parental Consent Form

Identification

Proof of Identity and Age: In order to issue a Marriage or Civil Union License,we must have valid proof of age and identity. The following forms of identification are acceptable for age. A photo ID is required for identification (C.R.S. 14-2-105, 14-15-109 & 24-72.1-101).

• Any valid Colorado driver license or Colorado identification card.

• A valid Out of state issued photo driver license or identification card.

• Valid US Military ID (active duty, dependent, retired, reserve, or National Guard).

• Original or certified copy of US Military separation papers (DD214) from the Department of Defense or Veteran Affairs. Any DD214 marked with the disclaimer “Not to be used for identification” is not acceptable.

• Tribal identification card.

• United States or United States Territory Certified court order of adoption (must include date of birth).

• Certificate of Naturalization with intact photo.

• Valid foreign passport with I-94 or valid processed for 551 stamp.

• I94 with refugee/asylee status.

• Valid I551 Resident Alien/Permanent Resident card.

• Valid I688 (photo temporary resident card), I688B & I766 (photo employment authorization card)

We cannot accept:

• Matricular Consular Card.
• Novelty ID Card.
• City or County Prison/Jail Identification.
• Souvenir birth certificates.
• Temporary driver license or temporary state ID card.

*No expired forms of ID’s can be used. A social Security Number is required or applicant may complete an “Affidavit of No Social Security Number.”*

Required Information

• Social Security number (per C.R.S.14-14-113). If an applicant does not have a social security number, an affidavit of no social security number must be signed and notarized.

 Affidavit of No Social Security Number

• Place of Birth (City and State/Country).
• Parents names, mother maiden name, and current address.
• Divorce Information (date, place, and court where granted).
• Colorado does not require a blood test.

 

Apply in Person

Both persons should be present to apply for the license. If this is not possible, one party must appear with a completed, notarized absentee affidavit (provided by the Clerk's office) as well as a copy of approved identification for the absent party. Applicants for a marriage license need not be Colorado residents.

Absentee Affidavit

 

Proxy Marriage

Pursuant to C.R.S. 14-2-109, Colorado allows for proxy marriages. One party must appear with a completed, notarized absentee affidavit and a by proxy affidavit (provided by the Clerk's office) as well as a copy of approved identification for the absent party. The following requirements must also be met:

• The absent party must be 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
• The absent party must be a government contractor, or an employee of a government contractor, working in support of the armed forces of the United States in another country or in another state or in support of United States military operations in another country or in another state.
• One party is a resident of Colorado.
• One party appears in person to apply for the marriage license and pays the required fees.
• The signatures of both parties to the proxy marriage are required, and the party present shall sign the marriage license application and provide an absentee affidavit form containing the notarized signature of the absent party, along with proper identification documents required for a marriage license for the absent party.
• Both parties are 18 years of age or older.

By Proxy Affidavit

 

Marriage Solemnization

Marriages may be solemnized by judges, retired judges, magistrates,Indian tribe officials and clergy (ordained/recognized to lawfully perform marriages, out-of-state clergy need not be registered in Colorado), or by the couple themselves. Marriage certificates must include the County and location where the marriage took place (licenses must be used in the state of Colorado) , the date of the marriage, the officiating party's signature and title, and both parties to the marriage signatures (witnesses are not required). Completed marriage certificate must be forwarded to the County Clerk and Recorder's office within 63 days after the marriage. Failure to do so may result in late fees.

Prohibitions

• One of the parties is still married to another person.
• Brother and sister, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, whether by half or whole blood.
• Same sex marriage is permitted in Colorado.
• Marriage between cousins is permitted in Colorado.

 

Marriage Application Copy Request Form

Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-72-204(3)(a)(XIX)(A), copies of marriage applications are to be made available only to either party of the marriage or an immediate family member. Please send the completed and notarized form to: La Plata County Clerk 98 Everett Street Ste C Durango CO 81303.

Marriage Application Copy Request Form