Getting married in Colorado: a US$30 license you can use the same day, and couples can marry themselves

Colorado allows something few other states do: couples can solemnize their own marriage (self-solemnization). The two of you sign the marriage license and that's it; no officiant is needed. In Jefferson County (west of Denver), for example, the marriage license is US$30, can be used anywhere in Colorado as soon as you have it, and is valid for 35 days; the signed license goes back within 63 days after the ceremony. If you need to register the marriage in Taiwan, a certificate issued in Colorado is authenticated by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Denver.

The details below follow Jefferson County's official pages; for fees and procedures in other Colorado counties, go by each county's website.

Applying for the marriage license

The rules from the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder (checked 2026-10-23):

• Fee: US$30. The pages we found this time don't list payment methods, so confirm before you go.
• Fill out the application online first, then go in person; you can book an appointment or wait in line as a walk-in (Monday to Thursday, 7:30–17:00). For groups or popular dates, the county strongly recommends an appointment.
• Both of you should normally appear; if one of you can't, the other must bring a notarized absentee affidavit and the absent partner's original ID.
• Valid, unexpired ID: a driver's license, military ID, passport, state ID, or ID issued by a foreign government (with a certified translation if needed).
• The names on the license are printed exactly as they appear on the ID you show.
• You must give the last four digits of your Social Security number; if you don't have an SSN, you sign an affidavit provided by the county.

Address: 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 2560, Golden, CO 80419. For other points for foreigners applying, see foreigners marrying in the US.

Usable the same day, valid 35 days, returned within 63 days

• The license can be used immediately anywhere in Colorado; there is no waiting period.
• The wedding must take place within 35 days of the date of issue.
• Within 63 days after the wedding, mail the signed license back to the county for recording.
• If you are changing your name, the license has to be returned and recorded before you can start.

For a comparison across states, see the official rules checked for 9 states.

How self-solemnization works

According to Jefferson County:

• When both partners sign the marriage license, the self-solemnization is complete; no officiant is needed.
• The ceremony can be anywhere in Colorado, of any size, or you can skip a ceremony entirely.
• The person signing the marriage certificate must be a legally authorized officiant or the couple themselves. "Officiant" is not a title; Pastor, Minister, Judge and Magistrate are. If a friend officiates without a recognizable title, it counts as self-solemnization.

The page doesn't say whether witnesses are needed, so go by what the county tells you. After a self-solemnized marriage, the legal effect in the US depends on whether the license was returned and recorded; if you will use it in Taiwan or another country, ask that country's authorities first. For document preparation, see the next section.

Courthouse ceremonies

On the day, bring the marriage license, a self-addressed return envelope and cash (Jefferson County, checked 2026-10-23). Others who can officiate include judges, retired judges, magistrates, authorized public officials, clergy authorized by a religious organization, and tribal officials.

Certified copies and registering in Taiwan

• Once the license is recorded, request certified copies from the county; authentication uses up one, so order several at once (see item 10 of the checklist).
• Documents issued in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska are authenticated by TECO in Denver: US$15 per document, US$30 together with the Chinese translation; money order payable to TECO; 3–5 business days; include the original certificate or a certified copy, copies of both passports, plus one extra copy; the office does not translate, and the translator's signature must first be notarized locally (TECO Denver, checked 2026-10-14).

For the full steps to register in Taiwan, see registering a US marriage in Taiwan in five steps; for the translation, see translating the marriage certificate into Chinese.

Common questions

Can we marry ourselves in Colorado without an officiant?

Yes. Jefferson County states that when both partners sign the license, the self-solemnization is complete; no officiant is needed, and there are no limits on location or size.

Is there a wait for a Colorado marriage license?

No. A Jefferson County license can be used immediately anywhere in Colorado and is valid for 35 days from the date of issue.

Can I apply with a foreign passport?

Yes. Passports are on the list of accepted IDs; other IDs issued by a foreign government may need a certified translation.

Colorado's 35 days, the 63-day return and registering in Taiwan are all on the timeline in the My Wedding Plan checklist: confirming the recording is item 9, certified copies item 10, and registering in Taiwan item 15. The checklist has a free version, and you can start without giving an email address.

Sources (checked 2026-10-23)

• Jefferson County: Marriage Licenses & Civil Unions (checked 2026-10-23)
• Jefferson County: Requirements (checked 2026-10-23)
• Jefferson County: Wedding and Civil Union Ceremonies (checked 2026-10-23)
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver: Marriage certificate authentication (checked 2026-10-14)

← Back to the checklist