How to Get a Marriage License in Canon City Colorado (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Wallet)
How to Get a Marriage License in Colorado (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Wallet)
By Elizabeth Schlup - Lost Pond
Your guide if you’re tying the knot in Colorado
1. First things first: where and when to apply
Good news: if you’re getting married in Colorado, you don’t have to worry about being a resident of that county. For example, you can apply in Fremont county and use the license anywhere in Colorado.
Here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll need:
Age: Both parties typically need to be 18 or older to apply without extra hoops.
Valid ID: A driver’s license, state-ID, passport, or military ID will do.
Social Security number (or last 4 digits) — though if you don’t have one, some counties will give you an alternative.
Fee: Most counties charge around $30 for a marriage license. Shell Creek Photography+1
Timing: Once the license is issued, you usually have up to 35 days to use it for your ceremony.
It’s not rocket science, but a little prep saves you stress (and maybe altitude-induced confusion).
2. The application & signing part
Here’s what to expect:
Many counties let you fill out part of the application online, then you both appear (or one appears with an affidavit) to finish the process.
You’ll pay the fee, get your license, and you’re good to go. No waiting period or blood tests in Colorado.
After you have your ceremony, you’ll need to sign the certificate and return it to the issuing county for recording. Typically that must happen within 63 days of the ceremony.
So if you thought you were done after saying “I do”- not quite yet. You still have the administrative part.
3. After the “I do”: submit, file, chill
Once the ceremony is done and you’ve signed the certificate, you still need to return it to the county clerk who issued the license so it becomes official. If you don’t, you risk late fees or extra headaches. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder+1
Once you’ve done that, you're legally married - high-five.
Kathy Gomez-photographer
Pet paw prints? Yes - but with caution (see next section). Colorado MicroWeddings+1
Frederick Shaw-photographer
Paw Print Status: Which Counties Allow (or Don’t Allow) Pet Paw Prints
If including your pet’s paw print on your marriage license is part of the dream, here’s the up-to-date situation for Colorado:
❌ Counties confirmed not allowing paw prints
City and County of Denver – “Paw prints are not allowed on marriage licenses.” Denver Government+1
Arapahoe County – Does not allow paw prints. Mckenzie Bigliazzi Photography+1
El Paso County – Also no longer accepts paw prints, due to scanning issues. KOAA News 5+1
✅ Counties that do allow (or are reported to allow) paw prints (but check, because policies can change)
Jefferson County – Reportedly allows pets to sign with paw print. K99 - Northern Colorado’s New Country+1
Many other counties are reported to allow paw prints in general, though specifics may vary.
Bottom line: If your dog signing the license is a must-have, make sure to call the county clerk’s office before you apply, to confirm their current policy.
