Access Colorado Springs Marriage Records
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of Pikes Peak in El Paso County. It is home to over 490,000 people. Many couples wed here each year. The city offers views and venues for weddings. Yet those who need to find marriage records must know where to look. This guide helps Colorado Springs residents find the records they need.
Colorado Springs Quick Facts
Where to Get Marriage Records in Colorado Springs
Marriage records in Colorado Springs come from two main places. The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder holds the actual marriage licenses and certificates. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issues verifications only. Many people mix these up. A marriage verification is not the same as a certificate.
Colorado Springs couples get their marriage license at the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder office. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the same office. This office then keeps the official record. You can get certified copies of your Colorado Springs marriage certificate from this office. The address is 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 2100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
The state office in Denver offers a different service. They provide a "verification of marriage" that confirms a marriage took place. This is not a legal document. You cannot use it for name changes or legal matters. For those needs, you must contact the El Paso County Clerk. The state verification comes from the Vital Records Section at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver.
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Office
The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder serves all of Colorado Springs. This office handles marriage licenses for the entire county. You must visit in person to apply. Both parties do not need to be there. At least one person must appear with the required documents. The office is open Monday through Friday.
| Office | El Paso County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 2100 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 |
| Phone | (719) 520-6202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | epcounty.com/clerk |
Fountain and Manitou Springs residents also use this office. They are in El Paso County too. The same rules apply to all county residents. You can reach the main phone line for questions about marriage records. The office does not take appointments for licenses. You walk in during business hours. Wait times vary by day and season.
Note: Bring valid photo ID when you visit the clerk's office for marriage services.
Marriage License Requirements for Colorado Springs Residents
Getting married in Colorado Springs starts with a license. The process is simple. You must meet basic rules set by state law. C.R.S. § 14-2-106 covers who can get a license. You must be 18 or older. Those 16 or 17 need court approval. Both parties must not be married to others.
When you apply in Colorado Springs, bring photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport or state ID. You need to know your parents' birth names and places of birth. You also need to know if either party was married before. If so, you need the date the marriage ended. This helps the clerk record the information correctly.
The license fee in El Paso County must be paid at the time of application. Cash and cards are accepted. Check with the office for current fees. Once issued, the license is good for 35 days. You must marry within that window. If you do not, the license expires. You would need to apply again. C.R.S. § 14-2-107 sets this time limit. After your wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk.
Ordering Certified Copies in Colorado Springs
After you marry in Colorado Springs, you need certified copies. Many places ask for them. The Social Security office needs one. So does the DMV for name changes. Banks and employers may ask too. You should get several copies right after your wedding. This saves time later.
To get copies, contact the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. You can go in person to the Garden of the Gods Road office. You can also order by mail. Some counties offer online ordering. Check the El Paso County website for current options. You will need to provide names and the date of marriage. The fee varies by county.
The Colorado State Archives holds older records. They have some marriage records from before 1960. Their fee is lower. It costs $11 for a vital record request plus a $12 handling fee. But they only have select years. Most Colorado Springs couples need records from after 1960. Those stay at the county clerk's office.
VitalChek offers online ordering for state verifications. Their number is 866-632-2604. But remember, VitalChek provides verifications only. They cannot give you a certified marriage certificate. For that, you must use the county. The verification from VitalChek is not valid for legal name changes.
Historical Marriage Records for Colorado Springs Area
Genealogy researchers often seek old Colorado Springs marriage records. The city dates back to 1871. Early records are on file at the Colorado State Archives. The Archives holds a statewide marriage index. It covers 1890 to 1939. You can search this online at archives.colorado.gov.
The State Archives charges $11 for a marriage record request. They also add a $12 handling fee per order. You can view records in person at 1313 Sherman Street in Denver. Their research room is open Tuesday through Friday. They are closed Mondays. Appointments are required. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule.
FamilySearch also has a Colorado marriage index. It covers 1853 to 2006. This is a free resource. You can search by groom's name. Some cards are out of order. The index gives you the county and license number. You then contact that county for the actual record. For Colorado Springs, that means El Paso County.
Most Colorado marriage records do not list parents' names. This is noted on the Archives website. Do not expect to find family details beyond the couple's names and wedding date. Keep this in mind when planning your research.
El Paso County Marriage Records
Colorado Springs is the largest city in El Paso County. The county clerk handles marriage records for all cities within its borders. This includes Fountain, Manitou Springs, and smaller towns. The process is the same across the county. For more details about county-wide resources, visit the El Paso County marriage records page.