The good news? It is super easy to get legally married during your Colorado elopement. There are the options of self-solemnization (we’ll go over that) or hiring an officiant, no waiting period for your marriage license to take effect, and no witness requirements. Truly, it could not be easier to get married, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the details, just keep reading. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to legally elope in Colorado. 

Planning an elopement can feel like a lot, especially from out of state. That’s exactly why I help couples with both Colorado elopement photography and thoughtful planning support.

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What’s Required to Get Legally Married in Colorado?

The Marriage License

You can get a marriage license in any county in Colorado, you don’t have to live in that county or be having your ceremony there, just go wherever is most convenient for you. With some locations, you can start your application online, but for all locations, you will need to finish the application in person. Some counties do require an appointment, so just be sure to check the specific county’s rules and regulations before heading out there. 

Once you’re at the county clerk’s office, you’ll provide all your required documents and pay the application fee (usually around $30). The license is then valid for 35 days, but you can use it immediately – there’s no waiting period in Colorado!

Your Ceremony, License Signing, and Submitting Paperwork

In Colorado you have some cool options for your ceremony and paperwork!

1. Self-solemnize: Did you know that you don’t even need an officiant in Colorado? You can actually marry yourselves by self-solemnizing. Just sign the papers and you’re good to go. 
2. Hire an officiant or have a trusted third party who is ordained act as your officiant.

Once you’ve tied the knot and everything is signed, you or your officiant will just need to return the marriage license to the county clerk’s office to make things official. It’s best to do this right away so no one forgets anything!

Who’s Required to Be There?

Just the two of you! You don’t need an officiant or witnesses. Colorado is the ultimate elopement location for couples who want to keep their ceremony as small as possible.

Though if you do want a super cute witness, your dog (or any pet really) can serve as your witness and actually put their pawprint on your marriage license! Learn more about how to have a dog-friendly elopement.

Option 1: Self-Solemnization

This is a fancy word that means something pretty simple: you don’t need an officiant or witnesses to get legally married. The two of you just sign your marriage license, turn it back in to the county clerk’s office, and you’re officially legally married.

Why Couples Choose Self-Solemnization

There are many reasons to choose self-solemnization for your Colorado elopement. Self-solemnization ensures maximum privacy for your vows, meaning you can get as personal as you want with your vows and not have to worry about performing for anyone else. This option supports intentional, connected-focused elopements where it’s just the two of you. 

Self-solemnization is especially perfect for couples who are introverted, want to hike to a location on their elopement day, or who want their vows to be a slow, sacred moment together.

You don’t have to have this all figured out. If you want help choosing the right option for your elopement, I’d love to walk you through it as your elopement photographer.

Option 2: Hiring an Officiant

This is the more traditional option for the ceremony portion of your day. Officiants will typically lead the ceremony (this is especially helpful if you would like to have a more religious or spiritual ceremony) and help with the legal side of things (legal signing and returning your marriage license to the county clerk’s office). 

Why Couples Choose Hiring an Officiant

While you are not required to have an officiant for your Colorado elopement, you may wish to have one for a variety of reasons. As I mentioned before, if you are looking to incorporate religious traditions or rituals into your ceremony, having an officiant that specializes in those traditions can help enormously.

Officiants can also still keep ceremonies intimate and low-key, so you won’t need to sacrifice much privacy, but it does mean another person will be present for your elopement.

Hiring an officiant is a great option for couples who want structure or guidance during their ceremony or want to incorporate religious or spiritual traditions.

Tip: Your officiant doesn’t have to be a stranger. You can have a close friend get ordained online through somewhere like the Universal Life Church, and they can act as your officiant.

Pros and Cons of Self-Solemnization vs. Hiring an Officiant

Neither self-solemnization or hiring an officiant is inherently better or worse than the other. It really depends on what you want for your elopement ceremony. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of your options to help you decide:

• Self-Solemnization
  • Most private
  • Fully self-led
  • Flexible timing and pacing
  • Deeply personal
• Hiring an Officiant
  • Gentle structure
  • Can still be intimate
  • Helpful for couples wanting support

Colorado Let’s You Get Legally Married On Your Own Terms

Colorado is one of those few states that lets you get married fully on your own terms. You can invite in exactly who you want, how you want. Whatever you choose for your day, whether that’s self-solemnization or inviting along an officiant, the only thing to really make sure of is that it’s the option that best supports you and your partner. 

If you want to work with a photographer who has eloped themselves and understands these things, you can learn more about my elopement photography and planning services here.