Fort Collins Marriage Certificates
Fort Collins sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The city is home to Colorado State University. Over 170,000 people live here. The city blends college town energy with outdoor adventure. Couples who marry in Fort Collins work with Larimer County. The county clerk manages all marriage records.
Fort Collins Quick Facts
Where to Get Marriage Records in Fort Collins
Fort Collins is the county seat of Larimer County. This means the county offices are here. You do not need to travel to another city. The Larimer County Clerk and Recorder is in Fort Collins. You can walk in for marriage services.
The main office is at 200 West Oak Street. This is in downtown Fort Collins. It is near the courthouse. You can reach it by public transit. The Transfort bus system serves this area. Parking is available nearby.
The state health department is different. They are in Denver. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South. They provide marriage verifications only. These are not certificates. A verification just says a marriage happened. For legal proof, use the county clerk.
Colorado State University is in Fort Collins. Many students marry here. The process is the same for everyone. Students from other states can marry in Colorado. They follow the same rules as residents. The license is valid throughout the state.
Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Office
The Larimer County Clerk and Recorder serves all of Fort Collins. They issue marriage licenses. They keep records on file. They sell certified copies. The office is in the heart of downtown.
| Office | Larimer County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 West Oak Street, Suite 1000 Fort Collins, CO 80521 |
| Phone | (970) 498-7860 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | larimer.gov/clerk |
The office is on the first floor of the building. You enter from West Oak Street. The lobby has security screening. Bring your ID. Leave large bags in your car. The process is quick for most visitors.
Loveland is also in Larimer County. Those residents use this office too. Estes Park is in the county. Wellington and Berthoud are served here. All of Larimer County uses the same clerk's office.
Marriage License Requirements for Fort Collins Residents
To marry in Fort Collins, you need a license. The process follows Colorado law. C.R.S. § 14-2-106 sets the rules. You must be 18 or older. Those 16 or 17 need court approval. The Larimer County Court handles these requests.
Apply at the clerk's office. Bring photo ID. A driver's license is common. A passport works too. You need to know your parents' full names. You need their birthplaces. List any prior marriages. Include how they ended.
The license fee is set by the county. Call to check current rates. Cash and cards are accepted. Some payments may have a surcharge. Ask when you arrive.
Colorado has no waiting period. You get the license the same day. You can marry right away. The license expires in 35 days. This is per C.R.S. § 14-2-107. You must use it within that time. Plan your wedding date first.
After the ceremony, file the signed license. The officiant usually does this. Once recorded, you can get copies. Order them from the same clerk's office. Get several copies while you are there.
Ordering Certified Copies in Fort Collins
After your Fort Collins wedding, get certified copies. You need them for many tasks. Name changes require them. Banks ask for them. Your employer might need proof. Insurance companies want to see them.
Order from the Larimer County Clerk. Go to the office on West Oak Street. Bring your ID. Know your wedding date. Have both names ready. The clerk can make copies while you wait.
You can also order by mail. Write to the clerk's office. Include a copy of your ID. Add a check or money order. Allow time for processing. Mail orders take longer than visiting.
Some Fort Collins residents try the state office. The Vital Records Section is in Denver. But they only do verifications. These are not certified copies. They do not work for legal name changes. Always use the county clerk for certificates.
VitalChek offers phone service. Their number is 866-632-2604. But they also only do verifications. They cannot give certified copies. Do not use them if you need legal documents.
The State Archives has old records. They have some from before 1960. Their fees are lower. But they have limited holdings. Most Fort Collins couples need recent records. Those stay at the county clerk's office.
Note: Consider ordering extra certified copies for your records to avoid future trips.
Historical Marriage Records for Fort Collins Area
Fort Collins was founded in 1869. It is one of Colorado's older cities. Early records are at the State Archives. The Archives has a marriage index. It covers 1890 to 1939. You can search it online for free.
The Colorado State Archives is at 1313 Sherman Street in Denver. Hours are Tuesday through Friday. They are open 10 AM to 4 PM. You need an appointment. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule one.
Records from the Archives cost $11 each. There is a $12 handling fee. You can also order by mail. Forms are on their website. Allow several weeks for processing.
FamilySearch.org has a free index. It covers 1853 to 2006. This includes Larimer County. You can search from home. The index shows the date and county. Then you know where to request the full record.
Colorado State University has an archive too. They focus on local history. They may have wedding records from old newspapers. They have family papers. These are not official vital records. But they help with genealogy research.
Most Colorado marriage records do not list parents. Do not expect to find mother's maiden name. The records show the couple's names. They show the wedding date. That is the standard information.
Larimer County Marriage Records
Fort Collins is the county seat of Larimer County. The clerk serves all county residents. Nearby cities include Loveland and Estes Park. All use the same process. Learn more about county-wide marriage record services.