Commerce City Marriage License Lookup
Commerce City lies in Adams County northeast of Denver. The city has grown fast in recent years. Over 70,000 people now call it home. With growth comes more weddings. Couples in Commerce City need to know where to get marriage records. This guide shows you the way.
Commerce City Quick Facts
Where to Get Marriage Records in Commerce City
Commerce City residents get marriage records from Adams County. The county clerk and recorder holds all marriage licenses. This office serves the entire county. That includes Westminster, Northglenn, Thornton, and Brighton. All these cities use the same office. The main location is in Brighton.
You cannot get marriage records at Commerce City Hall. The city does not keep them. You must go to the county level. The Adams County Clerk and Recorder has two offices. The main office is at 4430 S. Adams County Parkway in Brighton. There is also a branch in Westminster.
The state office in Denver can provide a verification. This is not a certificate. It only proves a marriage happened. For legal copies, you need the county. The state office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South. They take appointments only. No walk-ins are allowed.
Adams County Clerk and Recorder Office
The Adams County Clerk and Recorder issues marriage licenses. They also keep records after the wedding. You can visit their main office in Brighton. Some services are at the Westminster branch too. Check their website for which location handles marriage records.
| Office | Adams County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 4430 S. Adams County Parkway Brighton, CO 80601 |
| Phone | (720) 523-6020 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | adcogov.org/clerk-and-recorder |
Commerce City is about 15 minutes from Brighton. You can reach the clerk's office by car. Public transit options exist too. The Regional Transportation District serves both cities. Plan your trip during business hours. The office closes at 4:30 PM sharp.
Marriage License Requirements for Commerce City Residents
To marry in Commerce City, you need a license from Adams County. The rules follow Colorado law. C.R.S. § 14-2-106 sets the requirements. You must be at least 18 years old. Those who are 16 or 17 need a court order. The court is in Brighton for Adams County.
Both parties may apply together. Only one person needs to appear. That person must bring ID for both parties. A driver's license or passport works. You need to know Social Security numbers. You also need parents' full birth names.
Colorado has no waiting period. You get the license the same day. You can marry right away. The license is valid for 35 days. The clock starts when you receive it. If you do not marry in that time, you must apply again. There is no blood test required in Colorado.
After the ceremony, return the signed license. The officiant usually does this. Once filed, you can get certified copies. Order them from the same Adams County office. The fee depends on how many copies you need.
Note: Common-law marriages are recognized in Colorado but are not registered the same way.
Ordering Certified Copies in Commerce City
Once married, you need certified copies of your certificate. These prove your marriage. You use them for name changes. Banks ask for them. Insurance companies need them. Employers may want proof too. Get enough copies to meet your needs.
The Adams County Clerk sells certified copies. Visit their office in Brighton. Bring your ID. Know the date of marriage. Give them both names from the marriage. The fee is set by the county. Call ahead to confirm current costs.
You can also order by mail. Send a written request. Include a copy of your ID. Add payment. Mail it to the Adams County Clerk and Recorder. Allow time for processing. Mail orders take longer than in-person visits.
Some people try to use the state office. The Colorado Vital Records Section offers verifications only. These are not certificates. They do not work for legal name changes. The verification just says a record exists. It does not have the same power as a certified copy.
For older records, try the State Archives. They have some records from before 1960. Their fees are lower. But their holdings are limited. Most Commerce City couples married recently. Their records stay at the county level.
Historical Marriage Records for Commerce City Area
Commerce City became a city in 1952. Before that, the area was rural. Records from the early days may be at the State Archives. The Archives keeps a marriage index from 1890 to 1939. This covers all of Colorado. You can search it online for free.
The Colorado State Archives is at 1313 Sherman Street in Denver. Their research room is open Tuesday through Friday. Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. You need an appointment. Call 303-866-2358 to book. Their records cost $11 each plus a $12 handling fee.
FamilySearch.org has a Colorado marriage database. It covers 1853 to 2006. This includes Adams County. The index is free to use. You search by name. Results show the county and date. Then you contact that county for the full record.
Most Colorado marriage records lack parents' names. Do not expect to find full family trees. The records show the couple's names. They show the wedding date. They show the officiant. That is usually all.
Adams County Marriage Records
Commerce City is one of many cities in Adams County. The county clerk serves all of them with the same process. Nearby cities like Westminster and Thornton use the same office. Learn more about county-wide marriage record services.