C.R.S. § 14-2-109 • Clergy or Self-Solemnization Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31)

How to officiate a wedding in Colorado

Covers all 64 Local Marriage Recording Jurisdictions in Colorado under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-2-109.

Interactive Ceremony Deadline Calculator

Calculate your exact filing & ceremony dates

Wedding State or D.C.

Ceremony Date

Step 1 • Church Ordination ($0)
Complete Agape Ecclesiastical Ordination for Colorado
Obtain your permanent Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital Certificate of Ordination ($0, zero renewal fees).
Sun, Nov 15, 2026
30 Days Before Ceremony
Confirm Local Clerk Ink & Return Rules (County Clerk and Recorder)
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-2-109(1), a marriage in Colorado may be solemnized by a judge, magistrate, public official, Indian nation/tribe, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination—OR directly by the parties to the marriage themselves (self-solemnization). No statewide or county officiant pre-registration is required. A Colorado marriage license has no waiting period, must be used within 35 days of issuance, and the completed certificate must be returned to the issuing County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days after the ceremony (confirm current local license fees directly with the County Clerk).
Mon, Nov 30, 2026
21 Days Before Ceremony
Complete Couple Questionnaire & Finalize Ceremony Script
Send the 10-question Couple Interview Link, confirm personal vows vs. repeat-after-me vows, and print your script in large altar type.
Wed, Dec 9, 2026
Waiting Period Buffer (None (Immediate))
Couple Secures Colorado Marriage License & Certificate
Ensure the couple obtains their Colorado Marriage License & Certificate early enough to clear Colorado’s waiting period (None (Immediate)) without expiring before ceremony day.
Wed, Dec 23, 2026
Within 63 Days After Ceremony
Return Signed Colorado Marriage License & Certificate to County Clerk and Recorder
Witness Rule: Colorado requires zero (0) witness signatures on the marriage certificate (though couples sometimes invite ceremonial guests to sign a decorative certificate).. Deliver in person or via tracked mail before Wed, Mar 3, 2027.
Wed, Mar 3, 2027

Ceremony countdown: 60 days from today • Always confirm holiday/office closures with County Clerk and Recorder.Open Couple Interview Questionnaire →

Three separate parts of a Colorado wedding (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-2-109)

Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-2-109(1), a marriage in Colorado may be solemnized by a judge, magistrate, public official, Indian nation/tribe, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination—OR directly by the parties to the marriage themselves (self-solemnization). No statewide or county officiant pre-registration is required. A Colorado marriage license has no waiting period, must be used within 35 days of issuance, and the completed certificate must be returned to the issuing County Clerk and Recorder within 63 days after the ceremony (confirm current local license fees directly with the County Clerk).

Couple’s Civil Marriage Document

Colorado Marriage License & Certificate

Recording / Issuing Office: County Clerk and Recorder

Ceremony Witness Requirement

Colorado requires zero (0) witness signatures on the marriage certificate (though couples sometimes invite ceremonial guests to sign a decorative certificate).

Spoken Ceremony Wording Rule

Under C.R.S. § 14-2-109, Colorado recognizes any religious denomination’s mode of solemnization as well as mutual self-solemnization by the couple, with full freedom over spoken vows.

Ordination Cost vs. Physical Documents

Ordination: $0. Optional commemorative ordination certificate & altar binder—Colorado does not require officiant registration or witness signatures.

4 clear steps before ceremony day in Colorado

Complete free ecclesiastical ordination ($0): Apply online in under a minute to receive your Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital certificate—with no annual renewal fees.
Complete any required local clerk registration early: Confirm with the issuing County Clerk and Recorder whether they request to inspect a printed credential or have county-specific signing instructions.
Prepare and rehearse the ceremony: Take our free 6-lesson first-time officiant course and customize a word-for-word script at /ceremony-scripts.
Execute & return the couple’s marriage license on time: Follow Colorado’s witness rule (colorado requires zero (0) witness signatures on the marriage certificate (though couples sometimes invite ceremonial guests to sign a decorative certificate).) and return the signed license to the issuing County Clerk and Recorder within the statutory deadline (typically 63 days—confirm exact deadline printed on the couple’s license packet).