Marriage Licenses in Grand Junction

In accordance with requirements below, a license to marry in Colorado may be obtained during normal office hours, in the Office of the County Clerk and Recorder, located in the county seat of each county. The license is valid upon issue, and must be used within 30 days in the State of Colorado. The fee is $10.00 cash or check payable to the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder. For Grand Junction that would be the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder.

Age

The requirements for the bride and groom are the same:

18 and older-no parental consent is required
16 and 17-consent of BOTH parents, or the parent having sole legal custody, or guardian, or judicial approval is required
Younger than 16-consent of parents or guardian AND judicial approval (court order) are required.

There are no exceptions to these age requirements.

Valid Identification

Some type of valid identification must be furnished by both parties, for example:

Passport
Original government issued birth certificate
Valid driver’s license or identification issued within the United States
Military identification

Social Security Numbers are required from both parties.

Blood Test

As of July 1, 1989, blood tests are not required for either party in the State of Colorado.

Prohibited Marriages

A couple may not marry when one of the parties is still married to another person. Divorces must be final! Marriage between ancestor and descendant, brother and sister, uncle and niece, or aunt and nephew (whether relationship is by half or whole blood) is prohibited. Marriage between cousins is permitted in Colorado.

Same Sex Marriages

Same sex marriages are prohibited in Colorado. Marriage Licenses are only issued to male-female couples.

Marriage Application

Both the bride and groom must complete and sign the marriage application form. At least one of the parties must apply in person before the marriage clerk. If one of the parties cannot appear in person, he or she must complete an affidavit received from our office with their signature notarized and a copy of valid identification. A couple already married who wish to renew their marriage vows, or those who have a common law marriage, may obtain a license by stating that they are married to each other. Applicants for marriage license need not be Colorado residents.

Ceremony

Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R. S. 14-2-109) Others who can solemnize a marriage are judges, retired judges, magistrates, public officials authorized to perform marriages, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by a religious denomination or Indian Tribe or Nation. Although the couple may solemnize their own marriage, that does not mean a friend or relative can also solemnize their marriage. Clergy from out of state need not be registered in Colorado.

Marriage License

The person solemnizing the marriage shall complete the marriage certificate and forward it to the County Clerk and Recorder within sixty (60) days after solemnizing. Any person who fails to forward the marriage certificate to the county Clerk and Recorder’s office shall be required to pay a $20.00 late fee and an additional $5.00 late fee will be assessed for each additional day of failure to file the certificate, up to a maximum of $50.00.