A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning removing the exception that authorizes a minor
Page 1, Line 102who is sixteen years old or older to marry with
Page 1, Line 103judicial approval.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Current law requires an individual to be at least 18 years old in order to obtain a marriage license; except that a minor who is 16 or 17 years old may obtain a marriage license with judicial approval. The bill repeals this exception, therefore requiring that an individual be at least 18 years old to obtain a marriage license.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 14-2-106, amend
Page 2, Line 3(1)(a) introductory portion, (1)(a)(I), and (1)(b) as follows:
Page 2, Line 414-2-106. License to marry.
Page 2, Line 5(1) (a) When a marriage license application has been completed
Page 2, Line 6and signed by both parties to a prospective marriage and at least one party
Page 2, Line 7has appeared, or both parties appeared if permitted pursuant to section
Page 2, Line 814-2-106.5, before the county clerk and recorder, and a party has paid
Page 2, Line 9the marriage license fee of seven dollars, a fee of twenty dollars to be
Page 2, Line 10transmitted by the county clerk and recorder to the state treasurer and
Page 2, Line 11credited by the treasurer to the Colorado domestic abuse program fund
Page 2, Line 12created in section 39-22-802 (1), and an additional amount established
Page 2, Line 13pursuant to section 25-2-121
such amountPage 2, Line 14statistics records cash fund,
pursuant to section 25-2-121,Page 2, Line 15shall issue a license to marry and a marriage certificate form upon being
Page 2, Line 16furnished:
Page 2, Line 17(I) Satisfactory proof that each party to the marriage will have
Page 2, Line 18attained the age of eighteen years at the time the marriage license
Page 2, Line 19becomes effective;
or, if over the age of sixteen years but has not attainedPage 2, Line 20
the age of eighteen years, has judicial approval, as provided in sectionPage 2, Line 21
14-2-108;Page 2, Line 22(b) Violation of subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section makes the
Page 2, Line 23marriage
voidablePage 2, Line 24SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-1-111, repeal
Page 2, Line 25(2)(d) as follows:
Page 2, Line 2619-1-111. Appointment of guardian ad litem.
Page 3, Line 1(2) The court may appoint a guardian ad litem in the following
Page 3, Line 2cases:
Page 3, Line 3(d)
For an underage party seeking a marriage license, as providedPage 3, Line 4
in section 14-2-108 (2).Page 3, Line 5SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 14-2-108.
Page 3, Line 6SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 3, Line 7applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following
Page 3, Line 8the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the
Page 3, Line 9general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13,
Page 3, Line 102026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1
Page 3, Line 11(3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section,
Page 3, Line 12or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part
Page 3, Line 13will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election
Page 3, Line 14to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the
Page 3, Line 15date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
Page 3, Line 16(2) This act applies to marriage licenses issued on or after the
Page 3, Line 17applicable effective date of this act.