Self-Solemnization in Colorado – A Step-by-Step Guide
TL;DR: Self-solemnization in Colorado lets you legally marry without an officiant or witnesses. Get your marriage license from any county clerk ($30), say your vows anywhere you want, sign the license together, and return it within 63 days. Over half of Colorado eloping couples choose this option because it’s simple, saves money, and gives you complete control over your ceremony.
Self-solemnization is Colorado’s unique way for couples to say ‘I do’ and get married on their own, no officiant or witnesses required. That one legal quirk, combined with the most jaw-dropping mountain scenery in the country, 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 in Colorado means you and your partner can legally marry each other without an officiant, a judge, or any witnesses. You simply obtain a marriage license, exchange vows in any location you choose, and sign the license yourselves as “the parties to the marriage.” It’s legally binding and recognized everywhere.
Colorado law explicitly allows couples to solemnize their own marriage. The Denver Clerk and Recorder’s office states it plainly: “You and your intended spouse may solemnize your own marriage. Neither witnesses nor officiant are required for a valid self-solemnization.” That’s it! No fine print, no religious exemption hoops, no county-by-county variation. The entire state operates under the same rule.
This isn’t a loophole, it’s a deeply rooted legal tradition! Colorado has recognized self-solemnization since before statehood, and it remains one of only a handful of states that offer this freedom without any additional requirements. If you’ve ever dreamed of a private hiking elopement on a remote peak or a quiet moment at an alpine lake with not a single other soul around, Colorado’s marriage laws were practically written for you!
How do you self-solemnize in Colorado?
To self-solemnize in Colorado, schedule an appointment at any county clerk’s office, bring valid ID and $30, get your license, have your ceremony within 35 days, sign the license as “the parties to the marriage,” and return it within 63 days to the same office.
Here’s the full step-by-step breakdown:
Located the Closest County:
Your license can come from any Colorado county clerk regardless of where your ceremony is happening. I suggest picking the one closest to your elopement location and checking their appointment availability before locking in a date. Most counties now use an appointment system, and some book out a few weeks during peak summer season.
Schedule Your Appointment:
If you are traveling from outside of the state, you can schedule this for the same day as your marriage, but I would advise against that. Most counties let you schedule your appointment online before you arrive. Things come up and you don’t want a paperwork delay eating into your elopement day!
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:
Before you leave Colorado, make sure to drop off your signed license or mail it back to the county clerk within 63 days. And yes, you can get your marriage license and marry the same day in Colorado if your timeline is tight.
What are the best self-solemnizing ceremony ideas?
A self-solemnization ceremony in Colorado can look like anything you want. Some couples keep it short and private, just the two of them and their vows. Others build out a whole experience with music, readings, a friend leading the ceremony, and a champagne pop at the end. I’ve photographed every version of this and they’re all great.
Here are some of my favorite self-solemnization ceremony ideas I’ve seen first hand:
- 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. No need to be poetic; just say how you feel. One of the best parts of a self-marrying ceremony is how easy it is to get vulnerable without 100 people watching! Pro Tip: Write your vows at your Airbnb beforehand and have your 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 a third party. The legal requirements for self-solemnizing in Colorado are about as minimal as they get. Pick up your license, sign it together, return it within 63 days. That’s the whole checklist. I’ve had couples book me two weeks out, fly into Denver, and pull off a completely legal mountain wedding without breaking a sweat on the 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 for them 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 have family who want to be included. 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 having to compromise either one. My Colorado elopement packages work really well for couples who go this route.
My intimate Colorado elopement package is great for couples looking to do 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?
No officiant to hire, no one to get ordained, no coordinating schedules with a third party. The legal requirements for self-solemnizing in Colorado are about as minimal as they get. Pick up your license, sign it together, return it within 63 days. That’s the whole checklist.
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 Juans 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.
• 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
You’re free to include loved ones in the ceremony or keep it private and both are valid choices. You can still self marrying with guests at the ceremony in places like San Sophia for a Telluride elopement or celebrate with them afterward. Self solemnizing elopements leave a lot of wiggle room for couples to outline the day exactly how they want! You can split the day up with them, include them in everything in places like Lake Isabelle, have them in just the ceremony or they can sign your marriage license. Totally up to you!
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.
• Self marrying embraces the Colorado tradition
This Colorado 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.
Do You Need a Photographer to Self Solemnize?
You don’t need a photographer to self-solemnize in Colorado, but having one turns a legal process into an actual wedding day worth remembering. And I would love to be that photographer!
Navigating the marriage regulations in different states can feel like deciphering a cryptic code! But fear not, because self solemnizing elopements offer a stress-free solution with breathtaking backdrops to boot. Call me biased, but there’s something truly magical about exchanging vows amidst nature’s grandeur.
Whether you’re a local or jetting in from out of state, self-marrying elopements are hands down the smoothest and most delightful way to tie the knot. I am well versed in this Colorado tradition and have written articles for USA Wire and Influencer Daily going over my experience.
Ready to self-solemnize in Colorado? Check out my All inclusive Colorado elopement packages and best places to elope in Colorado and how to elope in Colorado guide!
Self-solemnizing FAQ
In Colorado you do not need an officiant to elope. It’s one of the few states that allow self-solemnization, which means you and your partner can legally marry each other without a third party. To understand exactly how this works, check out my guide to self-solemnizing your Colorado elopement. Many couples also wonder if they can get their marriage license and marry the same day in Colorado, and the answer is yes.
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.
A Colorado marriage license is valid for 35 days from the date it’s issued. Once you sign it after your ceremony, you have 63 days to return it to the county clerk by mail or in person.
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.
There are no legal requirements for what your ceremony has to include. Most couples exchange vows and rings, but the format is completely up to you. I’ve captured everything from two-minute sunrise ceremonies to full productions with readings, music, and champagne. Some couples do handfasting, some write elaborate scripts, some just say what comes naturally in the moment. All of it counts.
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.
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 few states where self-solemnization is legal with no strings attached. If you’re coming from out of state, the county clerk can often mail your license to your home address after you apply.
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. Since there is no required officiant signature on a Colorado marriage license, the signature line is yours to use however you want. Bring an ink pad and let your dog put a paw print there. I’ve seen it done more times than you’d think and it never gets old.
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.
You do not have to live in Colorado to self-solemnize. Couples travel from any state to marry themselves here and the marriage is fully recognized nationwide.
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 exchange their vows privately and self married themselves with just the sunrise and mountain peaks as their witness.