Marriages and Civil Unions

Applications & Requirements

A man and woman filling out marriage applicationsOur division is dedicated to supporting couples on their journey to formalize their union, whether through marriage or civil union, in compliance with Colorado Revised Statute 14-2-107.

We pride ourselves on offering a streamlined and accessible process for couples to obtain their licenses, which are valid for use within 35 days in Colorado, with a variety of payment options available for the required fee.

From completing your application online, to visiting our office in person for verification and payment, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you're just beginning to plan your ceremony, or finalizing your legal documentation, we're honored to assist you during this significant moment in your lives.


Colorado Revised Statute 14-2-107 states that a license shall be obtained only during the hours the Clerk and Recorder’s Office is open. The license is valid upon issuance and must be used within 35 days in Colorado. The fee is $30.00 and acceptable payment is as follows: cash, certified funds, or credit/debit card (a surcharge for use of a card may apply).


Complete a Marriage or civil union License Application

  • All applications are processed and verified Monday - Thursday between 7:00 am to 4:30 pm 
  • To complete a Marriage License Application, VISIT HERE 
  • To complete a Civil Union License Application, VISIT HERE 
  • After you have completed your online application, a clerk will contact you to verify your information and schedule an appointment for you to come in to sign the application and pay for the license.  All applicants will need to be present and have valid identification

For additional information, please contact our office at recordingdivision@fremontcountyco.gov 


Age Requirements for both Parties

  • 18 years of age or older (both parties)
  • 16 and 17 years of age (either party) a court order is required

ID Requirements (Secured and Verifiable Identification)

Common Primary Forms Approved:

  • Any Valid Federal or State Issued Photo ID
  • Colorado Temporary ID’s (expired less than 60 days)
  • Current Passport
  • Valid Military ID (Active or Inactive duty)
  • Tribal Identification Card with intact photo (US or Canadian)
  • Certificate of Naturalization with intact photo
  • Certificate of (US) Citizenship with intact photo

Please note- other than the Colorado Temporary ID, as explained above, all forms of identification must be current and cannot be expired.

Common Forms not Approved:

  • Consular cards
  • City and county detention center ID cards
  • Novelty ID cards
  • Souvenir birth certificates (issued by hospitals)
  • Social Security cards

For a full list of Primary Forms, Secondary Forms, and Non-approved Forms, please refer to one of the application packets provided below under Documents/Downloads.


  • One of the parties is still married to another person. All divorces must be final. Proof of divorce must be provided if finalized in the last 60 days.

  • Half-blood and whole blood relations of the following:
    • ancestor and descendant
    • brother and sister
    • uncle and niece
    • aunt and nephew

  • Marriage/Civil Union licenses issued by other states. Marriage/Civil Union licenses from Colorado must be used in Colorado. Marriage/Civil Union licenses from other states are NOT valid for solemnization in Colorado.

  • Proof of Colorado Residency of an incarcerated individual must be provided.  Simply being incarcerated in Colorado is not valid proof of Colorado Residency. 

Please note- Marriage/Civil Unions between cousins is permitted in Colorado.


    The last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) is required on all applications (C.R.S. 14-15-109). If a party does not have an SSN, the party must complete a No SSN Affidavit. This affidavit can be found in the application packets provided below under Documents/Downloads.

    The form may be signed and notarized in advance or signed in front of the Deputy County Clerk at the time of application.


    • Witnesses are not required in Colorado.
    • Depending on your type of ceremony, some clergy, judges, or public officials may request a witness(s).

    Couples have many options when it comes to officiating their ceremony:

    • Self-solemnize (couple officiates own ceremony)
    • A judge
    • A retired judge
    • A magistrate
    • An authorized public official
    • Any mode of solemnization recognized by a religious affiliation

    Clergy from out-of-state need not be registered in Colorado.


    Couples who solemnize their own Marriage/Civil Union license must:

    • Complete the bottom portion of the license
    • Both parties must sign as the Officiating Party and as Party 1 and Party 2

    • The person certifying a license (officiating the ceremony), shall complete the license and forward it to the Clerk & Recorder's Office within sixty-three days (63) of the ceremony.

    • Any license that is not submitted on time to the Clerk & Recorder's Office, shall be required to pay a $20.00 LATE FEE, and an additional $5.00 LATE FEE may be assessed for each additional day of failure, up to a MAXIMUM of $50.00.

    • Please return completed license to:
    Fremont County Clerk & Recorder
    615 Macon Avenue Room 102
    Cañon City, Colorado 81212
    • Licenses must include the county and location where the ceremony took place, the date of the ceremony, the officiating party’s signature and title, and both parties’ signatures.

    Once our office completes the license and records it, the original will be sent back to the applicants.


    Colorado has recognized common law marriage as legal and binding since 1877 and is one of twelve states to do so. A common law marriage is established when the parties mutually consent to be husband and wife. Common law marriage does not require any license, ceremony, or documentation for it to be legal.

    Parties to a common law marriage are entitled to all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a legal and binding marriage. If the parties need documentation of a marriage, it is recommended that they file a signed, notarized affidavit, attesting to the marriage, with the County Clerk and Recorder in the county where they reside.

    This affidavit will be filed as a document, not as a marriage record. Only legal divorce or death of one of the parties may terminate common law marriage.


    Affidavit of Common Law Marriage

    The following are the only two requirements for common law marriage:

    • The parties are free to enter into a marriage (neither is married to another person).
    • Both parties are of legal age (18). If between the ages of 16 and 17, a court order is required.

    The following are examples of what constitutes a common law marriage:

    • The parties hold themselves out to the public as husband and wife.
    • Maintenance of a joint checking and/or savings account.
    • Joint ownership of property.
    • Mutual financial support.
    • Filing of joint income tax returns.
    • Registration as husband and wife on applications, leases, contracts, registers, etc.
    • Use of the man's surname by the woman.

    Periods of cohabitation, without the aforementioned, do not constitute a common law marriage.

    Documents / Downloads
    Document
    PDF License Application, Checklist and Packet- Both Parties Present
    Both parties will be present to provide identification and sign the application in our office.
    PDF License Application, Checklist and Packet- One Party Present and One Party Displaced
    The party that cannot be present, must be displaced military or displaced and contracted with the military.
    PDF License Application, Checklist and Packet- One Party Present and One Party Incarcerated
    If one party is incarcerated, at least one party has to be a resident of Colorado. Proof of residency must accompany application.
    PDF Inspection and Copying of Marriage or Civil Union License Application
    To inspect and/or receive a marriage license application, fill out the this form
    Additional Resources
    Fremont County Clerk & Recorder's Self-Service Website
    Visit Website

    Marriages and Civil Unions

    Office Hours

    Monday
    7:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Tuesday
    7:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Wednesday
    7:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Thursday
    7:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Friday
    Office Closed Today
    Saturday
    Office Closed Today
    Sunday
    Office Closed Today

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