How to Self-Solemnize in Colorado

A couple stand in a field in the mountains of Colorado with their dog as they read their vows to one another for their elopement

As a wedding and elopement photographer in Colorado, I am constantly getting questions from clients about self-solemnization. What is self-solemnization? Can anyone self-solemnize? Do we really not need a witness? I’m of course ALWAYS happy to answer any questions my couples have, but all these questions gave me the idea of creating today's blog post! I decided that it’s about time I put a quick guide together on how to self-solemnize so that those looking to do so in Colorado can easily find out everything they need to know!!

A groom reads his private vows to the bride while on a dock in a national park of Colorado for their elopement

What is Self-Solemnization?

First of all though, what exactly IS self-solemnization? Self-solemnization is sometimes referred to as self-unifying, and is the process of a couple getting married without the need for an officiant or witnesses. Instead the couples act as their own officiant and witnesses and file all the paperwork themselves. Colorado is one of 9 states that allow self-solemnization along with Washington DC. The other states include California, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

As a disclaimer, Maine, Nevada, and Wisconsin require religious exemption for a couple to be allowed to self-solemnize. The other states though, including Colorado, allow anyone to self-solemnize!

2 photos side by side of 2 couples in different national parks of Colorado while in their wedding attire for their elopements

Why do Couples Self-Solemnize in Colorado?

Why would a couple want to self-solemnize you might ask? There are a few reasons, but overall it usually comes down to personal preference! Self-solemnizing allows couples to take a great deal of planning off of their plate. As we’ll see later on, the process for self-solemnizing in Colorado is PRETTY simple! This allows couples to focus more of their energy on the other aspects of their wedding day.

The other main draw of self-solemnization are for couples that are eloping, or looking for a more private and intimate experience! Without the need of an officiant and witnesses, your wedding day can literally just be the two of you and your photographer! That’s it!! This gives couples freedom to create any sort of experience they want for their wedding and lets them make the moment as intimate and personal as they want.

A couple kiss one another while in their wedding attire in a field of a national park of Colorado in the fall

We’ve taken a look at the what, and the why, now it’s time for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The guide on how to self-solemnize in Colorado!! The process is thankfully very simple, here’s what you need to know:

Take Care of the Paperwork

The first part of our self-solemnization guide for Colorado is arguably THE most important part, the legalities of it all! Among the United States though, Colorado has some of the most straightforward marriage laws.

First you’ll need to apply for your Colorado marriage license, either in person or online, which makes this process accessible for everyone. You can head to the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s website to follow the necessary steps to get this process underway.

To receive your marriage license you’ll need to bring a valid form of ID to your appointment such as your driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport. After that there is a $30 fee you’ll need to pay, and then you’re good! You’ll receive your marriage license and it will be valid that same day!!

A bride and groom kiss one another while in a national park of Colorado for their elopement

Iron Out Your Dates

Once you receive your marriage license it will be valid for the next 35 days. This means that your ceremony has to take place and your license has to be signed within those 35 days, otherwise you’ll have to apply again for a new marriage license. After your ceremony is done and the license is signed you then have 63 days to return the license to the Clerk and Recorder's office to make things official!

The timing is important here, so be sure to plan the dates of your wedding or elopement carefully around these due dates. If not you could be making more work for yourself and turn what should be a quick and simple process into an actual headache!

A groom kisses a bride while atop a mountain in Colorado

Have Your Pup as Your Witness!

Like I mentioned earlier in the guide, a big draw to self-solemnizing in Colorado is that there’s no need to have an officiant or witnesses to make your ceremony official. Of course you can still include either into your wedding celebration if you would like to, which brings us to the point at hand! You can actually have your dog be your witness for your wedding, and even have them “sign” the marriage license with their paw print!! This is always a highlight of the day when any of my couples do this, and it’s such a fun way to make your wedding or elopement just that much more personal!

2 photos side by side of a dog signing a marriage license with a pawprint during his owner's elopement

And there you have it! No, seriously, that’s all there is to a self-solemnization guide for Colorado!! Didn’t I tell you it was simple? Now the only thing left to do is the rest of your wedding or elopement planning, which might be a little trickier. Lucky for you I have a TON of resources available on my blog to help you in your planning process. Be sure to check those out, and if you’re looking to book me as your photographer be sure to head to my contact page so we can reserve your date asap!!