How to Self-Solemnize in Colorado | Updated for 2025

Want to marry yourselves on top of a mountain with literally no one else around? Colorado says hell yeah, go for it. Here’s everything you need to know about how to self-solemnize in Colorado—the legal stuff, the logistics, and why this might be the best decision you make for your elopement.

Colorado is one of the few states that allow you to self-solemnize, which is becoming an increasingly popular option for many couples. If you’re looking for a guide to self-solemnization in Colorado to help you plan the intimate and adventurous elopement of your dreams, you’ve come to the right place.

WHAT IS SELF-SOLEMNIZATION IN COLORADO?

Self-solemnization (also called self-uniting marriage) means you can legally marry yourselves in Colorado without an officiant or witnesses. Yep, you read that right. Just you two, signing your marriage license, making it official.

Colorado is one of a select few states that allows couples to self solemnize and officiate their own wedding. No awkward stranger reading vows you didn’t write. No coordinating schedules with an officiant. No witnesses required (though you can totally have them if you want).

It’s just you, your person, and the mountains.

HOW TO SELF-SOLEMNIZE IN COLORADO: THE PROCESS

Step 1: Get Your Colorado Marriage License

Both of you need to appear in person at a County Clerk and Recorder’s office. You must be within the State of Colorado, and both parties must be in the same room, on the same screen, at the same time.

What you’ll need:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• Social security numbers
• $30 fee (varies slightly by county)

No blood tests. No waiting period. You can walk out with your license same-day.

Step 2: Say Your Vows (However You Want)

Colorado doesn’t require anything special for you to self-solemnize besides signing your marriage license. Your vows can be anything you want them to be. Want to read traditional vows? Cool. Want to freestyle it on a mountaintop? Also cool. Want to just look at each other and ugly cry without saying anything? Honestly, same—and totally valid.

There’s no script. No rules. Just make it yours.

Step 3: Sign Your Marriage License

All you need to do is to bring your IDs into the county clerk, sign some papers, & you’re legally married! No witnesses or officiants are needed to solemnize your own marriage in Colorado.

Both of you sign the license wherever you are (on a mountain, by a lake, in your Airbnb—wherever). That signature makes it legal.

Step 4: Return Your License

You have 63 days from the date of your ceremony to return the signed license to the County Clerk’s office where you got it. You can mail it or drop it off in person.

Once they process it, you’re officially married. They’ll send you a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

WHY SELF-SOLEMNIZE IN COLORADO?

You don’t have to coordinate with anyone else. No hunting down an officiant. No scheduling around someone else’s availability. No “sorry, I’m booked that weekend” stress.

It’s more intimate. Not a single soul needs to be present with a self solemnization elopement. The only people you need for a self uniting marriage are you and your partner. Just you two, saying what you actually want to say, without an audience.

Your vows can be private. You don’t have to share your most vulnerable words with anyone else. They’re just for you two.

It’s flexible. Want to elope at sunrise when no one else is awake? Do it. Want to hike somewhere remote? Go for it. Want to say your vows naked in a hot spring? I mean… probably don’t send me those photos, but you do you.

It feels authentic. No one’s performing a ceremony for you. You’re creating the moment yourselves. It’s real, unscripted, and entirely yours.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO SELF-SOLEMNIZE IN COLORADO

Q: Do I need witnesses to self-solemnize in Colorado?

A: Nope! Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, meaning couples do not need an officiant or any witnesses to legally get married. You can have them if you want, but they’re not required.

Q: Can anyone else be present during our self-solemnization ceremony?

A: Absolutely! You can have your photographer, your dog, your best friends, your parents—whoever you want. The difference is they’re guests, not legal requirements.

Q: Do we have to say vows out loud?

A: Nope. There’s no legal requirement for spoken vows. You just have to sign the license.

Q: Can we still have an “officiant” even though we’re self-solemnizing?

A: Sure! You can have a friend or family member lead a ceremony if you want. They just don’t have to sign anything legal. It’s purely symbolic.

Q: What if we want someone to marry us but don’t want to deal with officiant paperwork?

A: Self-solemnization is perfect for this. Have whoever you want “perform” the ceremony, then you two just sign the license yourselves. Easy.

Q: Do we have to self-solemnize in Colorado, or can we do it anywhere?

A: Your marriage license is only valid in Colorado, so you need to be physically in the state when you sign it and say your vows.

Q: What if we mess up the paperwork?

A: Just call the County Clerk’s office. They’re usually super helpful and can walk you through it.

Q: Can we self-solemnize if we’re from out of state?

A: Yes! You don’t have to be a Colorado resident. You just need to get your license from a Colorado county and get married in Colorado.

Q: Is self-solemnization recognized in other states?

A: Yep. Once you’re legally married in Colorado, every state recognizes it. It’s a real, legal marriage.

WHAT DOES A SELF-SOLEMNIZATION CEREMONY LOOK LIKE?

Honestly? Whatever you want! Here are some examples from real couples:

Example 1: Sunrise on a Mountain

• Wake up at 4am
• Drive to trailhead
• Hike to summit for sunrise
• Read private vows to each other
• Sign the license
• Celebrate with champagne (or coffee) and donuts

Example 2: Lakeside Simplicity

• Drive to an alpine lake
• Set up a little picnic
• Exchange rings
• Say what’s in your hearts (or don’t—just be present)
• Sign the license
• Jump in the lake in your wedding clothes (optional…but recommended)

Example 3: Intimate Airbnb Ceremony

• Get ready together
• Have a first look in the living room
• Read handwritten letters to each other
• Sign the license on the kitchen table
• Head out for adventure photos
• Come back for pizza and cake

Example 4: Mountaintop with Close Friends

• Invite 5-10 favorite humans
• Hike or drive to a scenic overlook
• Have a friend say a few words (totally optional)
• Exchange personal vows
• Sign the license
• Celebrate with everyone

There’s no wrong way to do it.

TIPS FOR SELF-SOLEMNIZING IN COLORADO

Bring a good pen. Sounds obvious, but you’ll be signing important legal documents, possibly in the wind, on a rock, in the cold. Bring a pen that actually works.

Have a flat surface. A clipboard, a book, a rock—something to sign on so your signature doesn’t look like a seismograph reading. Or you can sign on eachothers backs.

Keep your license safe. Put it in a waterproof bag or protective sleeve. You don’t want it getting wet, torn, or blown away.

Take your time. No need to rush. This is your moment. Sit with it. Feel it.

Capture it (if you want). Hire a photographer who gets it. Someone who’ll document the real stuff—the tears, the laughs, the moment you realize you just married yourselves on a mountain.

OTHER STATES THAT ALLOW SELF-SOLEMNIZATION

Colorado isn’t the only one! A few other states allow self-uniting marriages:

• Pennsylvania
• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Washington D.C.
• California (with some restrictions)

But Colorado? Colorado makes it easy. No hoops to jump through. No religious requirements. Just show up, sign, and you’re married.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON HOW TO SELF-SOLEMNIZE IN COLORADO

Self-solemnization in Colorado is one of the most intimate, flexible, and stress-free ways to get married. You get to do it your way, on your timeline, with zero pressure from anyone else.

Want to marry yourselves at sunrise with no one watching? Do it.

Want your dog and your photographer as your only “guests”? Perfect.

Want to keep your vows between just you two? That’s the whole point.

Whether you’re getting married in Colorado with loved ones or planning an elopement, self-solemnizing can help make the process stress-free and enjoyable!

NEXT STEPS

1. Get your marriage license – Find your nearest Colorado County Clerk’s office
2. Plan your ceremony location – Check out my best elopement locations in Colorado
3. Write your vows (or don’t) – There are no rules
4. Sign your license – Make it official
5. Return your license – Mail or drop it off within 63 days
6. Celebrate – You’re married!

Ready to self-solemnize in Colorado? Fill out my contact form to start planning your adventure! Need help figuring out where to say your vows? Check out my Colorado elopement location guides.