How to Self-Solemnize in Colorado: Step-by-Step Guide
TL;DR: Self-solemnization lets you and your partner legally marry each other in Colorado with no officiant, no witnesses, and a $30 license. Get your license from any Colorado county clerk for $30, say your vows anywhere within 35 days of pickup, sign it together, and mail it back within 63 days. More than 80% of the couples I work with choose this option. It’s simple, it saves money, and it gives you full control of how, where, and when you get married in Colorado.
Self-solemnization is Colorado’s unique way for couples to get married on their own, with no officiant or witnesses required. That one legal quirk, combined with Colorado’s epic mountains, makes Colorado one of the best places to elope. Bold claim? I think not! I’ve been shooting elopements in Colorado full-time since 2018, and self-solemnization is honestly one of my favorite things to tell couples about when they’re first exploring the idea of eloping here. In my experience, more than 80% of the couples I work with choose to self-solemnize, and once you understand how it works, it’s easy to see why! You get to skip the officiant hunt entirely, write whatever vows you want, say them wherever you want, and make the whole thing yours from start to finish.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to self-solemnize in Colorado, the legal steps, why it’s worth it, and ceremony ideas to make it unforgettable! If you’re still figuring out where to actually do this, check out my Colorado elopement packages to see how I can help you plan the whole thing!
What Is Self-Solemnization in Colorado?
Self-solemnization lets you and your partner legally marry each other in Colorado with no officiant, no witnesses, and a $30 license.
Colorado lets you skip the officiant entirely, which is one of the biggest draws to getting married here. You and your partner sign your own license, exchange your vows wherever you want, and that’s a real, legal wedding in Colorado! No one’s standing up front reading from a script. You get to pick the spot, include who you want and make it official yourselves!
You can bring your whole family or do this all by yourselves, self-solemnizing in Colorado let’s you do it your way. That’s the part I love telling couples about first when they choose to get married in Colorado: your day doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s and you can literally marry yourselves. It’s exactly the kind of freedom I build into my elopement packages.
How do you self-solemnize in Colorado?
To self-solemnize in Colorado, you need to get a marriage license from any Colorado county clerk for $30, you exchange vows anywhere you want, sign it yourselves, and return it within 63 days.
Here’s the full step-by-step breakdown:
Full step-by-step breakdown of how to self-solemnize in Colorado:
- Locate the closest county:
Your license can come from any Colorado county clerk regardless of where your ceremony happens. I suggest picking the one nearest your elopement location and checking their appointment availability before locking in a date.
- Schedule Your Appointment:
If you’re traveling from outside of the state, you can schedule this for the same day as your marriage, but I’d advise against that. Most counties let you schedule your appointment online before you arrive. Things come up, and a Colorado marriage license is only good for 35 days from the day you pick it up (C.R.S. § 14-2-107), so don’t grab it so early that it expires before your ceremony either.
- Pick Up Your Colorado Marriage License:
Don’t forget your essentials: Bring your ID to the clerks office, and $30 to seal the deal. With all that in hand, you’re just one step away from making your marriage a reality. Let’s do this thing!
- Self-Marry in Colorado:
Drop off your signed license or mail it back to the county clerk within 63 days. You can get your license and marry the same day, there’s no waiting period.
What are the best self-solemnizing ceremony ideas?
Skipping the officiant doesn’t mean skipping the ceremony, that’s where self-solemnizing in Colorado gets really fun. You can write your own vows, read letters from friends, exchange rings, let your family say some kind words, bring a friend to play music after your ceremony. I’ve shot ceremonies that felt more personal than most traditional weddings I’ve seen, purely because the couple got to plan it exactly how they want.
Here are some of my favorite self-solemnization ceremony ideas I’ve seen first hand since 2018:
- Write your own vows
- Get married without an officiant
- Have your friend officiate your elopement
- Have two elopement ceremonies
- Be your own officiant
• Write your own vows
Writing your own wedding script is the way to go, especially if you’re skipping the officiant and self-solemnizing. Forget the traditional lines because this is your chance to speak from the heart. One of the best parts of a self-marrying ceremony is how easy it is to get vulnerable without 100 people watching! I truly believe couples open up so much more when they self-solemnize because there isn’t a crowd around. They can literally dive into everything their feeling without the cloud of insecurity hovering above them. Pro Tip: Write your vows at your Airbnb beforehand and have your Colorado elopement photographer document it for some awesome shots!
• Get married without an officiant
No officiant to hire, no one to get ordained, no coordinating schedules with anyone else. The legal requirements for self-solemnizing in Colorado are about as minimal as anywhere in the US. You simply have to pick up your license, sign it within 35 days, and return it within 63 days of your ceremony. That’s the whole checklist! I’ve had couples book me two weeks out, fly into Colorado, and pull off a completely legal mountain wedding without breaking a sweat on the legal logistics!
• Have your friend officiate your elopement
Who needs a fancy officiant’s signature to make it official? Not you! If there’s a friend or family member that you want to marry, this can be a really great way to add a personal touch to your self-solemnizing elopement. It’s like having your own personal storyteller! No need to stress about getting ordained, either. Let the ones who truly know you both, who’ve witnessed your journey firsthand, be the ones to seal the deal.
• Have two elopement ceremonies
This is one of my favorite options for couples who want a truly private moment but also want to include family. You self-solemnize alone, just the two of you at sunrise on a mountain somewhere, and then celebrate with family later in the day or back home with a more traditional ceremony. You get both versions of the day without compromising either one. My intimate Colorado elopement package is great for couples looking to do this option.
My alpine Colorado elopement package is great for couples who want this option!
• Be your own officiant
You can open with a traditional ceremony structure if that framing feels grounding, then transition into personal vows. I’ve watched couples blend the two seamlessly, starting with something familiar and then shifting into words that were entirely their own. There are no rules here, which means you can borrow whatever structure helps you feel settled and then make the rest completely yours.
What are the benefits to self-solemnizing in Colorado?
Self-solemnizing eliminates the need to hire an officiant, simplifies logistics, saves money, and gives you total control over your ceremony’s location, timing, and tone. It’s 100% legal, recognized in all 50 states, and wildly popular among couples who choose to elope in Colorado.
60% of married adults say they wish they had eloped. Let that sink in for a second! More than half of married people would go back and do it differently if they could. Self-solemnizing in Colorado is your chance to skip that regret entirely and honestly, there’s nowhere better in the country to do it! Colorado is one of only two places in the U.S. with zero caveats. No officiant, no witnesses, no restrictions on where you do it. Just you two, a $30 marriage license, and every mountain in the San Juan mountains as your backdrop!
• It’s personal and intimate
Design your ceremony your way with heartfelt vows, no script, no limits. One of the biggest reasons that couples choose to elope is because they want their wedding day to be a personal and intimate experience. They want to feel free to do whatever they want and to be completely present and vulnerable with each other – without feeling like they have an audience.
A self-uniting marriage is an ultimate way to ensure your day is exactly what you want, and that your ceremony is private and intimate – shared only with your partner, and maybe a few of the people you love most if you choose to invite guests.
• The legal requirements are simple and easy
There aren’t a lot of rules to marrying yourselves in Colorado. You can get married the same day, you won’t have to worry about finding an officiant, getting ordained, or the logistics of whether they’re down for the 8-mile hike you have planned. The legal part? Barely a blip on the radar. Skip the stress of finding someone who’s licensed and willing to hike with you. It’s just you, your partner, and your vows.
• Your dog can sign your marriage license
In some Colorado counties, your dog can sign your marriage license. You’ll need a non-toxic ink pad to press their paw onto the witness line of your license. The important caveat: as of 2026, not all counties still allow this. Call the county clerk’s office where you’re getting your license and ask if they permit pet signatures. If they do, bring wipes to clean your dog’s paw after and make sure the print stays within the signature box.
Read more about how to elope with your dog in Colorado.
• You can be spontaneous
1 in 4 U.S. weddings is now a destination wedding, and Colorado keeps showing up at the top of the list for couples who travel specifically to get married. A big reason for that is how easy self-solemnization makes the whole thing. There’s no officiant to coordinate with, no meeting spot to hit at a specific time, no ceremony script you’re locked into.
If you stumble across a view on the way up that just screams “get married here” you do it there! If the weather shifts and we need to move the whole plan then we move it. I’ve had couples book me two weeks out, fly into Telluride, and pull off one of the best days of their lives because this state makes it that simple. That kind of spontaneity is genuinely one of my favorite things about what I do out here. This could absolutely be you.
• You can still invite family and marry yourselves
This one trips people up more than it should. Self-solemnizing means you and your partner sign the license, it says nothing about who else gets to stand there with you. Bring your parents, your siblings, your three closest friends, whoever actually matters. One of my favorite setups: family joins for the ceremony, then heads out while the two of you keep adventuring. Your parents get to watch you get married and you still get your day in the backcountry!
Read more on how to include your family on your self solemnizing elopement.
• You save real money
The average wedding in Colorado runs $39,808 in 2025. Officiants alone can add $300 to $500+ on top of that, and if you want someone who’s actually willing to hike with you to a remote location, that number climbs fast. Self-solemnizing costs you nothing beyond your $30 marriage license. That’s money back in your pocket that can go toward a better Airbnb, a killer dinner after your ceremony, or putting more of your budget into the photography you’ll actually have forever.
Read more on how much it costs to elope in Colorado.
• Self marrying embraces the Colorado tradition
This Colorado marriage tradition runs deep, just like the roots of those majestic mountain trees. Self-solemnization in Colorado goes back to the 1800s. It was built into the state’s DNA from the start, rooted in the same independent spirit that drew people out here in the first place. Getting married on your own terms, in these mountains, without anyone else telling you how to do it? That’s pretty on brand for Colorado! It’s one of the things I love most about this state!
• The option to self-solemnize is year round in Colorado
The option to marry yourselves in Colorado is available year-round, regardless of the season. This means that you can get married any time of the year, whether it’s spring, summer, fall elopement, or a winter elopement. The flexibility of this allows you to plan your wedding according to your, schedules, and the different seasons. This is especially great for self marrying elopements because of the last min and spontaneous nature of them, which is something I especially enjoy and specialize in!
• You have flexibility in ceremony location
You know what’s absolutely killer? Ditching the whole courthouse or church vibe for your big day. With self-solemnization, you’re free to choose the best Colorado elopement spot. I’m talking about endless possibilities, my friends. Think of a hiking elopement with jaw-dropping mountain vistas, serene alpine lakes, or cozy mountain towns like Breckenridge with tons of character. The choice is yours, and the options are off the charts!
• No time limit or restrictions
Worried your ceremony might drag on too long? Or maybe you’re nervous you won’t have enough time to say everything that matters to you? Don’t sweat it! When you self-marry, you have total freedom to make your ceremony as short and sweet or as heartfelt and lengthy as you’d like.
It’s perfect for couples who might be short on time or have a crew of guests waiting to dive into the celebration. This day is all about you. Plan it, shape it, and express yourselves exactly how you want. Because let’s be real, this is your story to tell, and you deserve to tell it your way.
Which states other than Colorado allow self-solemnization?
Colorado and Washington D.C. allow self-solemnization with no conditions. Some other states permit it too, but a few require a religious exemption.
Couples ask me all the time if they can pull this off in their home state. Most can’t, at least not the easy way. Only a small group of states let you marry each other without an officiant, and almost all of them tack on strings like witnesses, a waiver, or a religious requirement.
Colorado is one of just two places with none of that. The other is Washington, D.C. That’s a big reason couples fly into Colorado to elope!
| State | Marry yourselves? | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | ✓Yes, any couple | Nothing extra. No officiant, no witnesses, no waiting period. |
| Washington D.C. | ✓Yes, any couple | Sign as your own officiants. No witnesses, no religious affiliation. |
| Pennsylvania | !Conditions | Ask for a self-uniting license. You plus 2 witnesses sign. 3-day wait. |
| Illinois | !Conditions | Only within a religious or tribal tradition that doesn't use an officiant. |
| Wisconsin | !Conditions | Only if you belong to a religious society whose customs allow it. 6-day wait. |
| California | !Conditions | "Non-clergy" license for a religious society without clergy. Up to 2 witnesses. |
| Kansas | !Conditions | Quaker (Society of Friends) or Bahá'í ceremonies only. 3-day wait. |
| Nevada | !Conditions | Society of Friends (Quaker) meetings only. Not open to the general public. |
| Montana | !Paperwork only | File a Declaration of Marriage with the district court clerk, 2 witnesses. Not a ceremony you can do anywhere. |
| Maine | !Confirm first | Listed for Quaker or Bahá'í, but the law is fuzzy. Check with the town clerk before you plan on it. |
How Long Is Your Colorado Marriage License Good For After Picking It Up?
A Colorado marriage license is valid for 35 days from the date it's issued. Your ceremony has to happen inside that window, or the license is void. For most couples, this is a non-issue. You pick up the license a few days before your elopement and you're nowhere close to 35 days. Where it actually bites people is destination timing: couples who fly in, pick up the license right away to "get it out of the way," and then have their ceremony pushed by weather, altitude sickness, or a closed pass a few weeks later. Check with the county clerk you're using or your photographer if you're ever unsure how many days you have left.
What is a self-uniting marriage?
A self-uniting marriage is the same thing as self-solemnization. You marry each other and sign your own license with no officiant required.
The term comes from Quaker tradition, where couples marry each other instead of having clergy do it. You'll see "self-uniting" used a lot in Pennsylvania. In Colorado we just call it self-solemnization, but it's the same deal. Same legal weight as any other marriage. You perform your own ceremony, you sign your own license, and the state records it like normal.
Self-solemnization vs. hiring an officiant: which should you choose?
Self-solemnize for privacy, simplicity, or a remote peak. Hire an officiant if you want someone else to lead and hold the structure for you.
There's no wrong answer here. I've watched couples self-solemnize at 5am with just a headlamp and their vows written on a crumpled napkin. I've also watched couples hire an officiant to lead a gorgeous ceremony on a mountain ridge with 20 guests. Both were real and both were right. The question is what you need to feel settled in the moment.
| Self-Solemnization | Hired Officiant | |
|---|---|---|
| Witnesses required | None | None in Colorado |
| Cost | $30 (license only) | $30 plus $300 to $800+ for officiant |
| Location flexibility | Anywhere, any terrain | Depends on officiant's willingness to hike |
| Ceremony structure | Completely yours to design | Led by officiant, customizable |
| Script required | No | Officiant provides or co-writes |
| Best for | Total control, privacy, or a remote backcountry wedding | Couples who want someone to hold the structure so they can just be present |
Do you need an officiant to elope in Colorado?
I get asked this on almost every call. Couples want to know who's going to marry them, and I tell them straight up: you two are. You can absolutely hire an officiant if that feels right, someone to run the ceremony, tell your story, keep things moving. Nothing wrong with that. But plenty of couples I work with would rather stand somewhere wild, say what they actually mean, sign the paperwork, and go explore. Both routes are equally legal and equally real.
What are the downsides of self-solemnizing in Colorado?
Honestly, there aren't many, but here's the real list. Some couples miss having someone else lead the ceremony. An officiant keeps things moving and takes the pressure off you to run the wedding yourself. If your family has strong religious or cultural expectations around who performs a marriage, self-solemnizing might not feel "real" to them even though it's completely legal. And the paperwork responsibility is all on you. No officiant is double-checking that your license gets signed and mailed back in the 63-day window. None of that stopped 80% of my couples from choosing it anyway, but go in with your eyes open.
What Do You Need to Plan for a Self-Solemnizing Elopement?
Self-solemnizing handles the ceremony. You still need to dial in location, timing, weather, permits, and people. This is the list I'd work through before worrying about the small stuff. Self-solemnizing takes the legal headache off the table, so use that freedom to build a day that actually feels like the two of you. Check out my best places to elope in Colorado guide and let's build the day.
| Figure this out | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Location | Rules and access change completely from one spot to the next. |
| Timing | Sunrise usually means better light, fewer people, and a calmer weather window. |
| Hiking | Your dream location isn't so dreamy if the hike wrecks your group. |
| Weather | Colorado weather turns fast, especially by afternoon. |
| Permits | Some locations require one for ceremonies or larger groups. |
| People | Decide who needs to be there for vows and who can join later. |
| The actual day | Figure out what you're doing besides saying vows. |
Where do I Get My Marriage License by County in Colorado?
The process is the same everywhere: $30, no wait, just sign it yourselves. What changes is which county clerk you visit.
| County | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | Denver Clerk and Recorder | Standard $30 fee |
| Jefferson | Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office | Complete the application online first, then show up together |
| Douglas | Douglas County Recording Office, 301 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock | Same $30, appear in person |
| El Paso | El Paso County Clerk and Recorder | Standard process |
| Boulder | Boulder County Clerk and Recorder | Standard process |
| Larimer | Larimer County Clerk | Standard process |
| Summit | Summit County Clerk, Breckenridge | You need an appointment here. This one trips people up if they don't book ahead |
| Pitkin | Pitkin County Clerk (Aspen) | Standard $30 fee |
| Ouray | Ouray County Clerk | Standard $30 fee |
| San Miguel | San Miguel County Clerk (Telluride) | Standard $30 fee |
| San Juan | San Juan County Clerk (Silverton) | Standard $30 fee |
Self-solemnizing FAQ
Colorado's rules are about as simple as it gets. Grab a marriage license from any county clerk for $30, no waiting period required. Then you self-solemnize: no officiant, no witnesses, just the two of you signing your own license. Say your vows wherever you want, a ridge, an alpine lake, wherever fits your day. Sign the license together and mail it back to the county within 63 days. That's the whole checklist. No ceremony permit needed for most locations, no residency requirement, and you can pick up your license and get married the same day if your timeline's tight.
Yes. Self-solemnization doesn't mean you can't have an officiant. It means you don't have to. You can have a friend lead the ceremony, invite a family member to say a few words, or blend a traditional script with your own vows. There are no rules.
Contact the county clerk's office immediately. The process for what happens next varies by county. In most cases, you will need to obtain a new license and re-sign. This is rare but it does happen, usually when couples forget to mail it back after returning home. Mail it before you leave Colorado if you can.
Follow the four steps above: obtain your marriage license from the closest county clerk, bring your ID and $30, sign the license at your ceremony, and return it to the county clerk within 63 days. That's it. No additional filings, no witnesses, nothing else required.
Yes. Colorado marriage licenses are open to anyone with no residency rule. Out of state couples can pre-apply online and mail the license back.
Yes. In Colorado your friend doesn't need to be ordained or certified to lead your ceremony. They can write a script, say a few words, or just stand there and cheer you on. The only legal requirement is that you and your partner sign the marriage license yourselves. Your friend's involvement is purely ceremonial.
Yes to both. Self-solemnization has no witness requirement in Colorado, but you're absolutely free to invite guests, bring a photographer, or have your whole friend group there if that's what you want. The only people who need to sign the license are the two of you.
Yes. Officiating your own marriage, self-solemnizing, and self-uniting are all terms for the same thing in Colorado. You perform your own ceremony, you sign your own license, and the state recognizes it exactly like any other legal marriage.
From the county clerk's office in whichever Colorado county is closest to where you're getting married. I recommend scheduling your appointment a few days before your ceremony rather than the same day, just to give yourself a buffer if anything comes up. Out of state couples can often have the license mailed to them, and Colorado locals can do a virtual appointment.
A traditional elopement still requires a licensed officiant to sign your marriage license. A self-solemnized elopement does not. In Colorado, self-solemnization is about as close to the original spirit of eloping as you can get. Just the two of you, wherever you want, doing it entirely on your own terms.
You and your partner are the only required signatures on a Colorado self-solemnization marriage license. That said, you can invite friends or family to sign as well if you want. There's no limit, and I've seen couples fill both sides of the license at a celebration after the ceremony.
Yes. Colorado law (C.R.S. 14-2-109) explicitly allows couples to solemnize their own marriage without an officiant or witnesses. Your self-solemnized marriage carries the same legal weight as any traditional wedding performed by a judge or religious officiant.
A Colorado marriage license costs $30. That's the only required fee for a self-solemnization. There is no officiant fee, no witness fee, and no ceremony permit required for most locations.
There is no required script for a self-solemnization ceremony in Colorado. Most couples I work with exchange personal vows and rings. Some add readings, music, handfasting, or a champagne toast. You can say as much or as little as you want.
Yes, but not all Colorado counties still accept pet signatures on marriage licenses. As of late 2024, Denver, Arapahoe, and El Paso County (Colorado Springs) have stopped accepting paw prints. Call your specific county clerk before your appointment and ask. If they say yes, bring non-toxic ink and keep the paw print inside the signature box. All of the San Juan area counties still accept them. Call ahead!
Yes. Colorado has no waiting period between obtaining your marriage license and using it. You can pick it up in the morning and get married that afternoon if you want to.
Yes. Once your Colorado marriage license is filed with the county clerk, your marriage is legally recognized in all 50 states. You do not need to re-register or redo anything when you return home.
No. Colorado marriage licenses are available to anyone, regardless of where you live. A lot of couples fly in specifically because Colorado is one of the only places where self-solemnization comes with no conditions attached. Out-of-state couples can often pre-apply for their license online before arriving, and the signed license can typically be mailed back to the county clerk after the wedding.
Yes. A self-solemnized marriage in Colorado is a legally recognized marriage throughout the United States. You’ll receive a certified marriage certificate after the license is recorded, which you can use for name changes, insurance benefits, tax status updates, and all other purposes.
Yes. Colorado law says you can marry yourselves, it says nothing about where you're allowed to stand while you do it. National parks usually require a special use permit, even for a two-person ceremony. National forest land runs differently, and state parks and private ranches each set their own terms too. Check the land manager's rules first, then go have your day.
35 days from the date it's issued (C.R.S. § 14-2-107). If your ceremony happens after that window, the license is void and you'll need to reapply and pay the $30 fee again.
Self-solemnization elopement galleries
Seeking some inspiration for self-solemnizing your marriage? Explore these breathtaking examples to envision the possibilities for your special day!
Ian & Miranda Self-Solemnizing Elopement
Ian and Miranda shared a private ceremony with their pets and we explored the upper basin area before heading down the mountain and basking in the fall colors in the lower elevations.
Ashley & Kyle Self-Solemnization in Colorado.
They then solemnized their vows at sunrise before we explore the surrounding area for couples photos where they took in the epic landscape surrounding them.
Rachel & Steve Self Marrying Ceremony
We then hiked over to a different spot near the lake where they shared their vows with the snow-capped peaks and half-frozen lake behind them. It was such a surreal and beautiful backdrop for their vow ceremony!
LGBTQ Self Solemnizing Elopement
They drove up a mountain pass and exchanged their vows privately and self-married with just the sunrise and mountain peaks as their witness.
I’m the founder of Vows & Peaks, and I don’t just show up with a camera. I plan your day, scout the spot, handle the permits, and build a mountain adventure around the two of you.