{"id":371920,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-01-26T14:28:09","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T19:28:09","slug":"colorado-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Colorado Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Today, annulments<\/a> are rare but are still a legal option distinct from divorce<\/a>. If an annulment is granted, it’s like the marriage never happened and it is nullified. In divorce, the marriage not only happened, but because it happened, marital property division laws<\/a> affect what assets you get to keep after the divorce<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Prohibited marriages are similar in that if a marriage wasn’t legal to begin with, there’s no need to divorce as the marriage is void. Sometimes, the barrier to the marriage is less significant and the marriage is considered "voidable" not void.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of annulment and prohibited marriage laws in the state of Colorado.<\/p>\r\n

Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws in Colorado<\/h2>\r\n

The table below outlines Colorado annulment and prohibited marriage laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Grounds for Annulment<\/td>\r\n

Under C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-111(1)<\/a>, the district court shall declare the invalidity of a marriage entered into under the following circumstances:<\/p>\r\n

Time Limits for Obtaining Annulment<\/td>\r\nUnder C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-111(2)<\/a>, the time limit to get an annulment depends on the reason for the annulment, as listed below:
Legitimacy of Children<\/td>\r\nChildren of an invalid or prohibited marriage are legitimate<\/a>, although this legal status is nearly irrelevant in modern times. (C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-111(6)<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Prohibited Marriages<\/td>\r\n

Under C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-111(1)(g)<\/a>, the following marriages are prohibited by law in Colorado:<\/p>\r\n

Same-Sex Marriages<\/td>\r\nThe U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges<\/a><\/i> established that bans on same-sex marriage violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause, legalizing same-sex marriage in every state, including Colorado.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n