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Marriage & Civil Union Licenses

Getting Married in San Juan County, Colorado

Please follow the steps below for applying and receiving a marriage license in San Juan County, Colorado. Office hours for the Clerk and Recorder office can sometimes be irregular. Please feel free to call ahead (970-387-5671) to check if our office is open.

STEP 1 - FILL OUT APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE OR CIVIL UNION LICENSE

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Please make sure to completely fill out all fields in the application.
    • If you have any questions about how to complete a field, please highlight it and ask the County Clerk when at your in-person visit. 
    • Parties without social security numbers (non-citizens, etc) are not required to fill out the social security field.
      • All other individuals must fill in a social security number.
    • Names on the marriage license application must appear exactly as it is on your valid ID.
    • Valid forms of ID include:
      • U.S. state-issued driver's license or permit
      • U.S. state-issued ID
      • U.S. military ID
      • Passport (with certified English-language translation if non-English
  • Legal age without parental consent is 18 for both persons. 
    • If under the age of 18 and over the age of 16, written and notarized consent signed by both parents (or parent having legal custody), or legal guardian is required. 
    • A Judicial Court Order from the court of jurisdiction is required of anyone under the age of 16.
  • Couples are prohibited from marrying when one of the parties is still married to another person. 
    • Also prohibited are marriages of brother and sister, uncle and niece, or aunt and nephew, whether the relationship is by half or whole blood.
  • Please answer how you are solemnizing your marriage or union. 
    • Civil ceremonies are for marriages solemnized in front of a judge or government official with the authority to officiate a wedding.
    • Religious ceremonies are for marriages solemnized by an ordained officiant or Indian Nation or Tribe.
    • Self-solemnization ceremonies are for marriages without an ordained or government officiant. These ceremonies can be witnessed by others (including your pet!), but witnesses are not required for self-solemnized marriages.

 

STEP 2 - APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE
  • Both you and your intended spouse must appear in person at the San Juan County Office of the Clerk and Recorder.
    • License applications are accepted Monday through Friday 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm.
  • Present a valid form of identification:
    • U.S. state-issued driver's license or permit
    • U.S. state-issued ID
    • U.S. military ID
    • Passport (with certified English-language translation if non-English
    • Please note the name on the marriage license will appear exactly as it is on the ID you provide. 
  • NOT ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF ID:
    • Birth certificates
    • Baptismal certificates
    • Mexican Consular IDs (Matricula Consular) 
    • Social Security Cards
    • Student IDs
    • Any other ID not specifically listed as a valid ID above. 
  • Pay a license fee of $30.
    • Cash and checks or money orders payable to San Juan County Clerk.
    • We do not accept credit cards or debit cards for marriage license payments.
  • Our address is:
 
San Juan County Courthouse
1557 Greene St
PO Box 466
Silverton, CO81433
Phone: 970.387.5671
Fax: 970-387-8043

 

STEP 3 - SIGN AND RETURN FOR RECORDING
  • Once your ceremony is complete, sign your license and return it to the San Juan County Clerk. You may return the license in person or via mail.
    • If sending via mail, please include a prepaid return envelope so that we can return your license after it is recorded.
  • Please note - your license certificate is valid upon the date issued and must be signed in Colorado within 35 days from the date of issue.
    • The license must be returned for recording within 63 days of marriage to avoid extra fees.