Find Marriage Records in Aurora
Aurora is unique among Colorado cities. It spans three counties. This affects where residents get marriage licenses. Most of Aurora lies in Arapahoe County. Parts extend into Adams and Douglas Counties too. Over 403,000 people call Aurora home. This guide helps them find marriage records fast.
Aurora Quick Facts
Where to Get Marriage Records in Aurora
Aurora residents face a choice. They must pick the right county office. Most go to Arapahoe County. That is where most of the city sits. Some parts of Aurora are in Adams County. A small portion is in Douglas County. Your address determines which office to use.
The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder is in Littleton. This serves most Aurora couples. The Adams County Clerk is in Brighton. This serves north Aurora residents. The Douglas County Clerk is in Castle Rock. This serves southeast Aurora residents.
Colorado law lets you marry in any county. You can get a license in Denver and wed in Aurora. The license is valid statewide. Just return it to the issuing county after the wedding. This gives you some flexibility.
For marriage verifications, use CDPHE. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. This is near Aurora. You can drive there in 20 minutes. They handle requests by mail, phone, or online through VitalChek.
Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Office
Most Aurora residents use Arapahoe County. The clerk's office is at 5334 S. Prince Street in Littleton. This is south of Aurora. The drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Plan for traffic during rush hour.
The phone number is 303-795-4200. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Marriage licenses are issued during these times. Arrive early to avoid lines. The office gets busy on Fridays and before holidays.
Both parties must appear in person. Bring valid photo ID. The license is valid for 35 days. Plan your wedding within this window. If you miss it, you need a new license. You pay again too.
After the ceremony, return the signed license to this office. They will record it and issue a certificate. You can then buy certified copies. These are needed for name changes and other legal tasks.
Note: Arapahoe County also has offices in Aurora. However, marriage services may only be at the Littleton location. Call ahead to confirm where to go.
Marriage License Requirements for Aurora Residents
Getting married in Aurora follows state rules. Both people must be present. You must show ID. You must pay the fee. The process takes about 30 minutes. You walk out with your license the same day.
Age matters in Colorado. You must be 18 or older. Those who are 16 or 17 need a court order. A district court judge must approve. This takes extra time. Plan ahead if this applies to you.
No blood test is needed. No waiting period exists. You can marry the same day you get the license. This is great for spontaneous weddings. Many couples love this about Colorado.
Colorado allows self-solemnization. This means you can marry yourselves. No officiant is required. This is rare in the United States. Aurora couples can simply sign their own license. Two witnesses must also sign.
First cousins may marry in Colorado. This is legal here. Some states ban this. Colorado does not. The marriage is valid if you follow all other rules.
Ordering Certified Copies in Aurora
After your Aurora wedding, get certified copies. You need them for many tasks. Banks need them. The DMV needs them. Social Security needs them. Get extra copies while you are at the clerk's office.
The Arapahoe County Clerk sells certified copies. Go to the Littleton office. Bring ID and payment. Cash and cards work. Checks may work too. Ask about current fees when you call.
You can also order by mail. Send a letter to 5334 S. Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120. Include the names, date, and your ID copy. Add payment. Allow two to four weeks for processing.
VitalChek offers online ordering. Call them at 866-632-2604. They handle Colorado marriage verifications. Note that these are not certified copies. They only prove a marriage happened. For legal needs, use the county office.
CDPHE charges $25 for the first verification. Extra copies cost $20 each. Prices went up in January 2026. Always check current rates before you order. Fees are non-refundable.
Note: Keep your certified copies safe. You cannot get new ones for free. You must pay for each copy you need.
Historical Marriage Records for Aurora Area
Aurora was founded in 1891. It was a small town then. It grew fast after World War II. Many families have deep roots here. They need old marriage records for genealogy. These tell family stories.
The Colorado State Archives can help. They hold records from all three counties that touch Aurora. Their marriage index covers 1890 to 1939. Search it online first. This saves a trip to Denver.
Arapahoe County has its own archives too. Contact the clerk's office for old records. They may have books from the early 1900s. These are not digitized. You may need to visit in person.
For marriages from 1940 to 1974, state records have gaps. Check with each county directly. Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas all kept their own files. The state did not collect them all during this time.
FamilySearch.org is a free tool. It has Colorado marriage records from 1853 to 2006. The index is by groom's name. Some cards are hard to read. Be patient. Try different spellings of names.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Aurora sits near many cities. Denver is to the west. Centennial is to the south. Brighton is to the north. All these cities share the same marriage laws. They just use different county offices.
Centennial uses Arapahoe County too. So does Littleton. These couples go to the same office as most Aurora residents. They share resources and processes. The clerk's office serves all of them.