Denver County Marriage License Records

Finding marriage records in Denver County starts with the Clerk and Recorder. Denver is unique in Colorado. It functions as both a city and a county. This means the same office handles all marriage documents. Residents throughout the metro area use this office for licenses and certificates. The records here date back many decades. Couples come here to begin their marriage journey.

Where to Get Marriage Records in Denver County

The Denver Clerk and Recorder serves as the primary source for marriage documents in Denver County. This office sits in the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building downtown. The location makes it easy to reach by bus or light rail. Many residents walk in to apply for marriage licenses. The staff processes hundreds of requests each week.

Marriage certificates in Denver County are filed here after the ceremony. Officiants return completed licenses to this office. The clerk then records the marriage in the official logs. This creates a permanent record for the couple. Certified copies are available upon request. You can order them in person or by mail.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also holds Denver County marriage verifications. These differ from certificates. A verification only confirms a marriage occurred. It does not provide full details. The state office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South. You can reach them at 303-692-2200 for questions about Denver County verifications.

Historical marriage records for Denver County may be found at the Colorado State Archives. They hold records from before 1960. The archives maintain a marriage index for 1890 to 1939. This includes many early Denver County marriages. Visit their website to search this database. Note: Records after 1960 stay at the county level.

Denver County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Denver County Clerk and Recorder operates from the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building. The address is 201 West Colfax Avenue in Denver. This building houses many city and county services. The clerk's office is on the first floor. You can reach them by phone at 720-865-8400.

Hours for marriage services run Monday through Friday. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Arrive early to ensure full service. Some days see high volumes of applicants. Both parties must appear for a marriage license. Bring valid photo identification. Acceptable forms include driver's licenses and passports.

The Clerk and Recorder website offers online marriage license applications. This saves time before your visit. You still need to appear in person to show ID and pay fees. The office accepts cash, check, and credit cards. Fees are set by state law. The license costs include a base fee plus a domestic abuse program contribution.

Staff at the Denver Clerk and Recorder can answer questions about marriage records. They can help you find old records too. The office keeps detailed logs of all marriages performed in Denver County. This includes courthouse weddings and ceremonies throughout the city. Records are organized by date and names.

Note: Call ahead to confirm current hours and any COVID-19 related changes to services.

Marriage License Requirements in Denver County

Getting a marriage license in Denver County follows Colorado state law. The process is straightforward. Both parties must visit the Clerk and Recorder together. At least one person must appear in person. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-106, both signatures are required on the application.

Age requirements apply in Denver County. Both parties must be 18 or older. Those aged 16 or 17 need judicial approval. A court order is required before the license issues. Bring the court documents with you. No one under 16 may marry in Colorado.

The license is valid for 35 days only. Per C.R.S. § 14-2-107, you must use it within this window. The ceremony must occur in Colorado. The license has no value outside state lines. If you do not use it, return it to the clerk for cancellation.

Identification is crucial for Denver County marriage licenses. Bring a current government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses work best. Passports and military IDs are also accepted. The name on your ID must match your application. Social Security numbers are required but not the physical card.

Denver County does not require blood tests. There is no waiting period. You receive the license the same day. Colorado allows self-solemnization. Couples may marry themselves without an officiant. This is unique to Colorado and available in Denver County.

Ordering Certified Copies from Denver County

After your wedding, order certified copies from the Denver Clerk and Recorder. These copies prove your marriage for legal purposes. You need them for name changes. Banks and employers often require them. Insurance companies ask for certified copies too.

The Denver County Clerk offers several ways to request copies. Visit the office in person for same-day service. Bring your ID and case information. The staff can locate your record quickly. Mail requests take longer but work for out-of-state residents. Include a written request with names and date of marriage.

Fees for certified copies vary in Denver County. Check current rates before ordering. Payment methods include cash, check, and money order. Some locations accept credit cards. Call 720-865-8400 to confirm fees and payment options. Include payment with mail requests.

The state also offers marriage verifications for Denver County. These are not certified copies. The Colorado Vital Records Section handles these. Applications are available online. Mail them to 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530. Fees are $25 for the first copy and $20 for extras.

VitalChek provides online ordering for Denver County verifications. Call 866-632-2604 for help. They charge extra processing fees. This option works well for urgent requests.

Historical Marriage Records in Denver County

Denver County has a rich history of marriage records. The Colorado State Archives holds many old documents. They have records dating to the 1800s. Early Denver marriages appear in their collection. The archives maintain a statewide index. It covers 1890 to 1939. This includes many Denver County records.

The index lists both spouses' names. It shows the marriage date and license number. You can search online at the Archives Search database. Not all records are held by the archives. Some remain at the county level. The archives can tell you where to find specific records.

Most Denver County marriage records lack parents' names. This differs from other states. Genealogists should note this gap. The records still hold value. They establish dates and locations. They confirm family connections through spouse names.

The State Archives charges fees for copies. Vital record requests cost $11. A $12 handling fee applies per request. Self-serve copies cost $.25 per page. These rates are lower than CDPHE fees. The research room is open Tuesday through Friday. Hours run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule.