oregon . Only authorized individuals may solemnize a marriage. As I mentioned earlier, just because you choose to have a self uniting marriage ceremony doesn’t mean you can’t have loved ones present. Self solemnization is where the couple legally marries themselves, without the need for an officiant or a witness to be present to sign their marriage certificate. Or you can write little notes to each other every day in the week leading up to your Colorado self solemnization elopement, and then read them to each other during the ceremony itself. Self solemnizing your marriage in Colorado is very easy! It really is that simple. They read the notes to each other before sharing their own personal vows. So if you want to self solemnize, go for it, whether or not you have guests present! Alternatively, in the state of Colorado, the couple can choose to solemnize their own marriage. Couples themselves may solemnize their marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109) in Colorado as well. Officiating your own wedding doesn’t make it any less legitimate. Most states don’t let you have a self uniting marriage ceremony, and Colorado is one of the few that does. The only thing that varies is the way you fill out the license on your self solemnized elopement day. P.S. It’s a unique experience that you can’t really get in many other places, and definitely one of the reasons so many of my couples love getting married out here in Colorado. Clergy need not be registered in Colorado. No need to involve a judge or jesus. Although the couple may solemnize their own marriage, a friend or relative may not solemnize the marriage unless they are authorized to perform marriages. I’ve included a few ideas below to get you started! How to Know if an Adventure Elopement is Right for You, The Ultimate Elopement Planning Checklist, The Modern Elopement Definition: How Elopements Have Changed. Keep scrolling to learn more! How can you officiate your own wedding? You and your partner simply sign on the line where the officiant would typically sign. You just fill out your marriage license differently than you normally would. They didn’t have anyone present at their elopement (aside from myself!). This is only allowed to be performed in a few states currently, including Colorado, California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. There are a few other states (Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Nevada, Kansas, and Maine) that have a form ofself-uniting marriage, but there are caveats. You and your significant other will simply both sign on the line where the officiant typically would sign, since you’ve officiated your own wedding. You’ll want to first fill out an application online to speed up the process. Other approved officiants include: Judges and retired judges; Magistrates; Public officials; Clergy members Others who can solemnize a marriage are judges, retired judges, magistrates, Indian tribe officials and clergy. Yup, you heard that right. We wanted to start our lives together elevated from all the noise with the understanding that we only wanted to go higher in our lives from that point. BUT there are plenty of couples who know they want to have a small number of guests present at their self solemnized elopement ceremony, but t Others who can solemnize a marriage are judges, retired judges, magistrates, Indian tribe officials and clergy. Similar to Karie and Jared, they also opted to not have any witnesses present at their self uniting marriage ceremony. Relive that experience. The nice thing about this type of self uniting marriage? You two can take turns sharing your story with each other: recapping first impressions, sharing important moments in your relationship, and letting each other know what the other means to you. Go to a county clerk and recorder’s office. There are a few other states that have a form of self-uniting marriage, but there are caveats. Your email address will not be published. Share And Recap Your Love Story With Each Other During Your Colorado Self Solemnization Ceremony. wyoming, Empowering You To Have Your Adventure Wedding, Your Way. Can We Still Have a Self Solemnization Elopement. Self solemnization is where the couple legally marries themselves, without the need for an officiant or a witness to be present to sign their marriage certificate. 14-2-109). Just remember that you and your partner will each need to bring a valid photo ID and you’ll pay a $30 fee. If you’re traveling to Colorado for your self solemnization elopement, make sure you arrive on a weekday to pick up your marriage license before your self solemnization. You can have pre-prepared vows, loosely follow an elopement wedding ceremony script where you both take turns sharing your story together, or you can simply share what you’re feeling in that exact moment. A person authorized to solemnize marriages must be a priest, minister or rabbi of any religious denomination…a judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages…a judge or magistrate who has resigned from office, or one of miscellaneous other federal and state judges, justices, magistrates, and retired judges, magistrates or justices. File the license back with the clerk and recorder’s office within 63 days of the wedding. Unlike traditional weddings that go by in a rushed blur, when you choose to have a Colorado self solemnization elopement, you can really take time to be present and in the moment. Colorado Self Solemnization: How you can marry yourself! So you can forget the work, and focus on having fun! You do NOT have to go to a Judge or clergy. Colorado Revised Statute 14-02-0109 allows couples to perform their own wedding ceremony with or without religious authorization. Information on this page may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. How to self solemnize your wedding in Colorado. You get to call the shots and do whatever the heck you want. If you’re looking to get your license in Denver, you can go here. The state of Colorado is one of the few places in the United States that allows people to solemnize their own marriage. When you work with me, you’re getting more than just a photographer. Write them down. utah . Just like with Sophie and David, Amanda and Peter wanted their parents and siblings present at their elopement ceremony, but they still wanted to self solemnize. So can a couple marry themselves in Colorado? They must apply for paper work from the County Courthouse in … When you pick up your license, it will be exactly the same document you’d get with a traditional wedding. Colorado is the only state that allows the parties to be married (the bride and groom) to officiate their own ceremony. Marriage Officiants Colorado: Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S. washington . In order to get married by proxy, both of you must be legal adults, and either of you must be a Colorado resident serving overseas in the U.S. armed forces. Self solemnization ceremonies allow for a truly personalized, intimate experience that isn’t always natural with an officiant present. This is sometimes referred to as a “Quaker Marriage” from its roots in Pennsylvania, which has recognized such marriages for centuries. Cool right?! Mackenzie and Jared did an amazing job of officiating their own wedding. But with a Colorado self solemnization and self uniting marriage ceremonies you don’t have an officiant. And their story ended up going viral, sharing their intentions behind both their choice to elope and have a self uniting marriage ceremony. Your email address will not be published. I want to be a resource to you during the whole adventure elopement process, whether you’re looking for details on how to solemnize your own marriage in Colorado or if you’re trying to figure out whether or not to hike in your wedding attire. Self solemnization simply means that you two are your own witnesses and that you don’t need an officiant. Colorado is the only state that currently allows couples to legally marry themselves, without any caveats or the need for any witnesses or officiants whatsoever.Washington D.C. also allows self solemnization with no witnesses or officiants. Are there any other states that allow you to self solemnize your wedding? In fact, about 75% of the elopements I document are self solemnization elopements. The best thing about self solemnizations and self uniting marriages? You can still share your first kiss. You can get creative with what you do during your Colorado self solemnization ceremony. But I’ve made it my mission to take it one step further than that. They had one family member come up and say a few words and help with the ring exchange, but other than that, Sophie and David pronounced themselves for the first time and essentially acted as their own officiants. Not a single soul needs to be present with a self solemnization elopement. In a traditional wedding, an officiant will share a couple’s story with their guests. It’s the same marriage license as a traditional wedding, but you’ll fill it out a little differently. Not everyone loves tradition, but that doesn’t make your adventure wedding or elopement any less important. Pennsylvania and California only require two witnesses; officiants are not required. The only difference is you don’t need an officiant or witnesses present at your ceremony. Fort Collins Adventure Session In The Rocky Mountains, Our Top 3 Tips For Choosing Your Engagement Photo Outfits. As a Colorado elopement photographer, I pride myself on not just documenting your Colorado self solemnization elopement, but helping you navigate the little details as well — like helping you figure out the perfect time of year for your mountain elopement ceremony or whether or not preparing some sort of elopement wedding ceremony script would be a good idea. Take 5 Minutes After You Say "I Do" To Create A Little Marriage Bucket List. If you are from out of state and self-solemnize your wedding in Colorado, it is still recognized as a legal marriage across state lines. Create Your Own Unique Wedding Traditions During Your Self Uniting Marriage Ceremony. Yes. And Amanda and Peter themselves actually decided not to read their private vows during the ceremony but save them for later. Apply for a marriage license. Your marriage license is valid and ready to be used for your Colorado self solemnization as soon as you get it (unlike some states that require a waiting period before use)! The incredible thing about self uniting marriage ceremonies is that they put the power back in your hands to do what you want. colorado . So if you’re considering self solemnizing, I’m here to cheer you on. Colorado law allows couples to self solemnize, or perform their own marriage (C.R.S. All content in this article regarding self solemnization, self uniting marriage ceremonies, and marriage laws is for general informational purposes only. They opted for a shorter ceremony, only about 5 minutes in length, where they shared the journey they’d been on together over the years. That includes everything from assistance with location ideas, timeline planning, and lots more free resources. Just 4 easy steps! I’ve been in your shoes with my own elopement, and that’s why I’m in this industry in the first place. Ultimately, you can self solemnize, but you can't have friends or family pronounce you as husband and wife. The intention and heart behind self uniting marriage ceremonies is one of the biggest reasons I love them. 14-2-109). They had each member of their families come up and share words of advice and stories with them. Just because you’ve chosen to self solemnize doesn’t mean your Colorado self solemnization ceremony needs to be completely different than it would otherwise be. There really is nothing more “Colorado” than self solemnizing in the mountains. And honestly? Friends or relatives cannot solemnize a marriage unless they are … I‘ve even had couples spend their self solemnization ceremonies just whispering privately to each other while they admire the view…no pre-written vows or anything. You can exchange your own vows, exchange rings, and even read sentimental readings or letters to each other. Please consult your local County Clerk and Recorder for additional information on self solemnization laws and procedures.***. To see what Karie and Jared’s self uniting marriage ceremony looked like, you can find their blog post here. It’s called self solemnization, and Colorado is the easiest state to do it in. Think of them more like a speaker at your ceremony than an officiant. No problem at all. You can still say your vows to each other. It’s pretty incredible, if you ask me. You can create your own unique unity ceremony during your self solemnized elopement, jump into an alpine lake after saying your vows, or scream “I do” at the top of your lungs into the Rocky Mountains. Use that U.S. marriage certificate along with the foreign marriage certificate to effect a name change with the Department of Revenue. You can find the blog post for their elopement here, if you want to see what their self uniting marriage ceremony looked like. Yes, and while self solemnization might seem confusing at first, self solemnized elopements are honestly such an easy and empowering way to get married. You can pick up your marriage license for your Colorado self solemnization elopement at any county Clerk and Recorder office in Colorado, as long as it’s on a weekday during their office hours. Photographing couples on the most special day of their lives is a true honor for me. Laura. california . You’ve made an awesome and unique choice. Not only does this save a bit of money, it also gives lends an intensely personal aspect to the wedding day. Because the State of Colorado does not require any specific legal wording within your wedding ceremony, your ceremony can be exactly the way you want it and your performer can be anyone you choose. Colorado is one of a select few states that allows couples to self solemnize, making it especially appealing for couples looking to have the most intimate adventure wedding possible. This means the couple can sign on the officiant line to make the marriage legal. Your Colorado self solemnization ceremony doesn’t need to be a short 5 minutes if you don’t want it to be. This means that you do not need an officiant or witnesses. Or more simply put, you as the couple can marry without the presence of a third-party officiant. Once you’ve submitted the application, you can go into the office and pick up your marriage license. And honestly, the instructions for self solemnizing marriages in Colorado are pretty simple. This procedure is done without any additional paperwork, as the two simply sign their names on the officiant's line. Or you could try things like hand-fasting, sage smudging, or wine blending. How many other people can you say that they married themselves? You’ve got this! The couple can simply sign the marriage license themselves! I recently launched our podcast “The How To Elope Podcast” to help couples like you navigate the elopement process. There’s no need to have anything written or rehearsed if that doesn’t feel like you. To do this, a couple need only indicate such on the marriage certificate form on the third line, indicating “themselves.” You must designate on a power of attorney form who will be your stand-in at the ceremony. Apply for a Colorado marriage license, self-solemnize it (act as your own officiant), then get it certified at the same time. The solemnizing official will complete your marriage certificate. Required fields are marked *. You and your partner simply sign on the line where the officiant would typically sign. In fact, out of all the couples I work with, more than half of them choose to have a self solemnization or self uniting marriage ceremony. They must apply for paperwork from the County Courthouse in order to do this. Ordained members of religious clergy such as priests, ministers, and rabbis are also authorized to solemnize marriages in Colorado Springs. So it's one in-office transaction. But in addition to sharing their story and vows, Mackenzie and Jared also brought notes from their loved ones along to their self solemnization. Chat With Us About Photographing Your Self Uniting Marriage. So if that sounds like your vibe, I’d love to chat with you about your Colorado self solemnization elopement. You can pick up your marriage license for your Colorado self solemnization elopement at any county Clerk and Recorder office in Colorado, as long as it’s on a weekday during their office hours. Or check out more elopement planning resources…. And if you’re worried about how to fill out your marriage license after your self uniting ceremony, you can always ask the county clerk and recorder to show you where exactly to fill things in for a self solemnization. I’m more than just a photographer. For a list of judges who perform marriages you may access the 4th Judicial District Court website. It’s your day so you get to make the rules! And what do you need to know to make your self uniting marriage happen? The couple can essentially perform the legal solemnization of their own marriage, which will be recognized as a legal marriage throughout all of The United States. All of the things that would otherwise happen at a non self solemnized ceremony can still happen with a self uniting marriage. Submit one form to top-rated marriage officiants in your locality. From a legal standpoint, you are still pronouncing yourselves married. Can you officiate your own wedding in Colorado? If you’re local to Colorado, I recommend getting your marriage license at least a week before your Colorado self solemnization, because it’s one less thing to have to worry about before you elope. However, friends or relatives cannot solemnize their marriage. You simply have to sign it within 35 days of acquiring it, and it must be returned within 63 days. And Illinois, Nevada, Kansas, and Maine allow forms of self-solemnization as part of certain types of religious ceremonies. Dream Big. Yes, once you file the paperwork with a Colorado Clerk and Recorder’s office, your marriage is legal just the same as any other type of wedding. Whether you live in Colorado or are traveling to another destination in the United States, you’re still married, even if your elopement was a Colorado self solemnization ceremony. Whoever solemnizes the Colorado wedding must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the County Clerk and Recorder's Office within 63 days of the wedding date. It’s called self-solemnization. She's seen many instances of that due to the self-solemnization laws that other states don't recognize. It can look very similar to other, more traditional wedding ceremonies if you’d like it to. It’s called self solemnization, and Colorado is one of a small number of states that allows this type of self uniting marriage ceremony. There are so many options when you’re no longer expected to incorporate typical, traditional wedding standards to your self solemnization elopement ceremony. First things first, marrying yourself in Colorado means you are self-solemnizing or self-uniting. According to the Colorado State official website, the following parties can legally perform a marriage in Colorado:A judge of the courtA court magistrateA retired judge of the courtA public official whose powers include solemnization of marriagesClergyThe parties to the marriage. The quick answer? Honestly, there’s a bit of excitement and novelty to the idea of self solemnization. Instead, they read a poem during their ceremony, followed up by them pronouncing themselves. "Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109) in Colorado. Keep in mind that if you have a non-officiant relative or friend lead the ceremony, they can sign as a witness, but they won’t sign as an officiant. Yes, with Colorado self solemnization you still acquire the same marriage license. Their ceremony was on the longer end, lasting about 30 minutes. The District of Columbia allows couples to officiate their own wedding. Get in touch and let’s chat about your vision! And then every year, reflect back on the goals you two set during your self-solemnization ceremony. With self-solemnization, you eliminate the need of a third party officiating. Colorado judges are authorized to solemnize marriages in Colorado Springs. Colorado DOES NOT require the signature of an officiant to solemnize the marriage. If you’re looking to get your license in Denver, you can go here. As of this writing, a Colorado marriage or civil union may be solemnized by the following: Judge, Court Magistrate, Religious or Tribal Official – OR – the couple themselves! You’ll want to first fill out an application online to speed up the process. I want to help. Denver County Court maintains a list of judges who perform weddings during the week, on weekends, and in the evenings. 5 years ago. ‘ve even had couples spend their self solemnization ceremonies just whispering privately to each other while they admire the view…no pre-written vows or anything. Your wedding ceremony is your wedding ceremony, and the officiant you choose can make all the difference when personalizing it. Colorado. If you want your college basketball coach to officiate your secular "I dos," ask them to get ordained.If you want to get married in your family's house of worship, you should. In Colorado, a couple simply signs the license and sends it in to be officially recorded. See more. And as an elopement photographer who specializes in super intimate weddings like self uniting elopements, I’m here to help. Whether or not you’ve chosen to self-solemnize, Colorado’s marriage license is the same. Also, beware, if you move to another state, they may not recognize your marriage. It means you can come to Colorado anytime, pick up a $30 marriage license from almost any DMV or County Clerk & Recorder office, go on an adventure just the two of you, say your vows, sign your license, turn it back in — and that’s a LEGIT legal wedding. Check out some of our favorite elopement and adventure wedding planning resources: Should You be Eloping? You can still share your first kiss. Yes, even though the majority of states in the U.S. don’t allow self solemnization to occur in their state, your self uniting marriage is just as legitimate and legal as anyone else’s. Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109). Hi I’m Kim, a Denver, Colorado based photographer specializing in Adventure Elopements in Colorado and worldwide! §14-2-109(1)). The only people you need for a self uniting marriage are you and your partner. Chat With Us About Your Colorado Self Solemnized Elopement! Unlike the previous two elopements we just talked about, Sophie and David did have their family present at their self solemnization elopement. Clergy ordained out of state do not need to be registered in Colorado to perform a wedding. I love the idea of taking a few minutes after your elopement ceremony to just throw out a few ideas for a marriage bucket list. These traditions you create on this day are traditions you can even do for years to come. Really the options are endless! ***This article is not intended to constitute legal advice. Take a peek at their self solemnization elopement here. Colorado is the only state that currently allows couples to legally marry themselves, without any caveats or the need for any witnesses or officiants whatsoever. That mountaintop, and marrying ourselves without an officiant or witnesses, felt like the freest, dopest, Blackest, most revolutionary thing that we could do. Just 4 easy steps! What If We Still Want To Have Guests Or An Adventure Elopement Photographer Present? I’m here to help you with all of the planning resources you need to have the most amazing elopement day ever! I think this is a huge opportunity to really dig in and reflect on your relationship. You choose the best CO Wedding Officiant. Personally, I’m a big believer that Colorado is one of the best places to have an elopement, and one of the key reasons (aside from the epic mountain views) is the fact that you can get married without any witnesses or an officiant present — also known as a Colorado self solemnization elopement or a self uniting marriage. That's the part you have to be careful about. We have an episode all about self solemnization, if you want to learn more about how you can officiate your own wedding. BUT there are plenty of couples who know they want to have a small number of guests present at their self solemnized elopement ceremony, but they just love the idea of being able to marry themselves. Complete the marriage license within 35 days. But how does self solemnization work? And we were right….once we got to the top of that mountain we just felt so free! Self solemnization in Colorado is a nice elopement option for couples who don’t want to have a single person in attendance. This site has more info on the marriage laws in various states. Monifa + Wyatt’s choice to self solemnize was one of their favorite parts of their Colorado elopement day. Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S. Put those ideas to memory. Your elopement, your rules. Illinois law states that "if no individual acting alone solemnized the marriage, both parties to the marriage, shall complete the marriage certificate form and forward it to the county clerk within 10 days after such marriage is … It costs $30 and you need both parties’ social security numbers and valid forms of identification. Out-of-state Clergy need not be registered in Colorado. Self uniting marriages are just as legitimate as every other type of marriage.
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