Learn more below! Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109) in Colorado. Karie and Jared kept things very simple for their self solemnization elopement ceremony in the mountains of Colorado. The only thing that varies is the way you fill out the license on your self solemnized elopement day. The only difference is you don’t need an officiant or witnesses present at your ceremony. you and your intended spouse may solemnize your own marriage; Self-solemnization is not allowed in a Colorado proxy marriage. Helping couples create their dream day is what I do best! Self-solemnization – also known as a “self-uniting marriage”– is the act of getting *legally* married without needing a judge or officiant to sign the papers – you don't even need witnesses! In short, however you want! Get more elopement and microwedding info here! 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. We want to exchange our vows in Mexico, but file and document it in Colorado where Self Solemnization is recognized as a legal marriage. All you need is a marriage license, which you can get from your county Clerk and Recorder’s office. Get inspired to elope in one of our favorite places on Earth! You can pick up your marriage license in any county in Colorado, regardless of where you live or the county that you are having your ceremony.. how to self-solemnizing your … They read the notes to each other before sharing their own personal vows. By state California. I’ve been in your shoes with my own elopement, and that’s why I’m in this industry in the first place. Or you could try things like hand-fasting, sage smudging, or wine blending. And Illinois, Nevada, Kansas, and Maine allow forms of self-solemnization as part of certain types of religious ceremonies. 1. Steven. Can you officiate your own wedding in Colorado? 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. 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. Take a peek at their self solemnization elopement here. Lucille Convery, 27, and Scott Bovarnick, 26, kiss after being wed last week in a self-uniting marriage, part of a growing trend among couples. And honestly? Especially with the rise in couples looking to have smaller, more exclusive weddings, the concept of a self solemnization elopement is definitely one to consider. In Colorado, a couple simply signs the license and sends it in to be officially recorded. All of the things that would otherwise happen at a non self solemnized ceremony can still happen with a self uniting marriage. If that's the case, you'll act as your own officiant. In fact, if you DO choose to self-solemnize & bring guests – ANYONE can sign as your witnesses (yes, even your dog). Colorado allows couples to solemnize their own marriage. Self solemnization simply means that you two are your own witnesses and that you don’t need an officiant. Apply for a Colorado marriage license, self-solemnize it (act as your own officiant), then get it certified at the same time. It’s called self solemnization, and Colorado is the easiest state to do it in. Apply for a marriage license. 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. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also allow you to self-solemnize your marriage, they just call it something else. They must apply for paper work from the County Courthouse in order to do this. 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. Relive that experience. Cool right?! Ultimately, you can self solemnize, but you can't have friends or family pronounce you as husband and wife. Your Colorado marriage license is good for use anywhere in the state, but only in Colorado. So if that sounds like your vibe, I’d love to chat with you about your Colorado self solemnization elopement. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also allow you to self-solemnize your marriage, they just call it something else. Throw Out Any And All Thoughts. You and your partner can really think about all of your hopes and dreams for your marriage. There are so many options when you’re no longer expected to incorporate typical, traditional wedding standards to your self solemnization elopement ceremony. Can I solemnize my own marriage? Self solemnization ceremonies allow for a truly personalized, intimate experience that isn’t always natural with an officiant present. 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. Solemnize definition, to perform the ceremony of (marriage). How do I self solemnize? 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. Also, is this recognized in other states as a legal marriage. Colorado is the one state to use the term self-solemnization to allow a couple to marry themselves. So if you want to self solemnize, go for it, whether or not you have guests present! I think this is a huge opportunity to really dig in and reflect on your relationship. Not everyone loves tradition, but that doesn’t make your adventure wedding or elopement any less important. My Colorado elopement/microwedding packages start at 4 hours, but when you work with me you’re getting way more than just a photographer. Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 14-2-109 provides that a man and a woman may solemnize their own marriage. It’s your day so you get to make the rules! Information on this page may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. How to Solemnize Your Own Marriage in Colorado. Self solemnizing your marriage in Colorado is very easy! This site has more info on the marriage laws in various states. If you’ve never heard of the term “self-solemnize,” it simply means that you and your partner can legally marry yourselves. Verify, sign, and complete your documents. 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. Please ask at the County offices for legal clarification if you choose this option. It really is that simple. 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. In some cases, like in Wisconsin, it's not guaranteed your marriage will be recognized in all contexts, and you may be required to sign a form stating your consent to this stipulation. The marriage license and marriage certificate are two distinct instruments that appear on the single form. If you are getting married in Colorado, you should obtain your marriage license in Colorado rather than your home state if you live elsewhere. 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. 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. I’ve included a few ideas below to get you started! We have an episode all about self solemnization, if you want to learn more about how you can officiate your own wedding. These traditions you create on this day are traditions you can even do for years to come. Colorado. Civil ceremonies do not take place in the county recorder's office. Or check out more elopement planning resources…. Clergy need not be registered in Colorado. 5. Here are just a few things that come with having me as your photographer, adventure partner, friend, and guide: Hi I’m Kim, a Denver, Colorado based photographer specializing in Adventure Elopements in Colorado and worldwide! 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. I’m a Colorado-based elopement and intimate wedding photographer, and I love helping couples turn their vision for their dream day into a reality! §14-2-109(1)). 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. Take the first step now and contact an attorney in your area from our directory to discuss your specific legal situation. Most states don’t let you have a self uniting marriage ceremony, and Colorado is one of the few that does. Whether or not you’ve chosen to self-solemnize, Colorado’s marriage license is the same. The documents will be only … Dream Big. Marriage Officiants Colorado: Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S. Others who can solemnize a marriage are judges, retired judges, magistrates, Indian tribe officials and clergy. You do NOT have to go to a Judge or clergy. You can do the divorce paperwork yourself, or work with a common law divorce attorney. Can I get married in the county recorder's office? There are a few other states that have a form of self-uniting marriage, but there are caveats. However, if the performer is not one of the above-named legal solemnizers, the performer may NOT sign your marriage license as the official party because of their lack of legal capacity. This procedure is done without any additional paperwork, as the two simply sign their names on the officiant's line. 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. But I’ve made it my mission to take it one step further than that. A couple may also choose to solemnize their own marriage, but not anyone can solemnize their marriage. When you work with me, you’re getting more than just a photographer. It can look very similar to other, more traditional wedding ceremonies if you’d like it to. 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. Complete the marriage license within 35 days. Colorado Self Solemnization: How you can marry yourself! Only a few states allow you to marry yourselves without an officiant, and Colorado is one of them. Keep reading to learn more about Colorado’s marriage laws, the best time of year to elope in Colorado, a list of our favorite elopement locations, and advice on choosing which location would best suit your needs. You can find the blog post for their elopement here, if you want to see what their self uniting marriage ceremony looked like. She's seen many instances of that due to the self-solemnization laws that other states don't recognize. And honestly, the instructions for self solemnizing marriages in Colorado are pretty simple. Wisconsin allows self solemnization; however, you must sign a form acknowledging that the state can’t guarantee your marriage will be legally recognized in all cases. Colorado DOES NOT require the signature of an officiant to solemnize the marriage. Love to chat with you about your vision, magistrates, Indian tribe officials and clergy union, your... 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