Gunnison County Marriage Certificates

Gunnison County sits in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. The county seat shares the same name. The town of Gunnison is home to the Clerk and Recorder office. This office keeps all marriage records for the county. Couples come here for licenses. Families return for copies of old certificates. The staff helps with both new and old records. The process is straightforward. You can visit in person or request by mail.

Where to Get Marriage Records in Gunnison County

The Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder office is the main source. It is at 221 North Wisconsin Street in Gunnison. This building holds all marriage licenses and certificates. The staff has served this county for many years. They know the local history. They can help find old records. They also issue new licenses daily. Walk-ins are welcome during office hours.

The Colorado State Archives may have older Gunnison County records. Their collection varies by county. They have a statewide marriage index online. It covers 1890 to 1939. This includes Gunnison County entries. Search the Archives database first. It shows names and dates. You get license numbers. Then contact the Archives to see if they hold the actual record. If not, call the Gunnison County Clerk.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers verifications. These confirm a marriage took place in Gunnison County. They are not full certificates. The verification shows names and the marriage date. CDPHE has records from 1900 onward. Order by mail at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Or use VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Their phone is 866-632-2604. Expect a processing surcharge.

Note: Certified copies must be obtained from the Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder.

Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Gunnison County Clerk and Recorder is at 221 North Wisconsin Street. The office is in the town of Gunnison. This is the county seat. The office serves all of Gunnison County. That includes Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte, and Pitkin. Almont and Parlin are also served. So is Powderhorn and Somerset. All residents use this office for marriage licenses. Visitors who marry here use it too.

Office hours are Monday through Friday. They open at 8:00 AM. They close at 4:30 PM. The staff stops issuing licenses 30 minutes before closing. Arrive early to ensure service. Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license is standard. Passports work too. Military ID is accepted. Both parties must provide Social Security numbers. The license fee is $7. Add $20 for the state domestic abuse fund. Total cost is $27. The license expires in 35 days.

After your wedding, the officiant returns the certificate. The clerk files it. You can then get certified copies. These prove your marriage legally. You need them for name changes. Banks require them. Insurance companies ask for them. The office can make copies while you wait. Bring your ID and the marriage date.

Marriage License Requirements in Gunnison County

Colorado sets the rules for marriage. Gunnison County follows them. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-106, both parties must appear. Or one may appear with a notarized affidavit for the other. You must be 18 or older. Ages 16 and 17 need judicial approval. Bring a certified birth certificate if you are a minor. Social Security numbers are required. No blood tests are needed.

The process is quick. You fill out the application. You show your ID. You pay the fee. You get the license the same day. There is no waiting period. You can marry immediately. The license is good for 35 days. Plan your ceremony within that time. Colorado allows self-solemnization. You can marry yourselves. No officiant is required. This is legal in Colorado. Many couples choose this option.

Required documents for Gunnison County:

• Government-issued photo identification
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Payment of $27
• If applicable, divorce decree showing previous marriage ended 30+ days ago

Note: Cousin marriage is permitted in Colorado under state law.

Ordering Certified Copies from Gunnison County

You need certified copies after your wedding. These prove your marriage. You may need many copies. Each agency wants one. The Social Security Office needs one. The DMV needs one. Your bank may need one. The Gunnison County Clerk can help. Visit the office on North Wisconsin Street. Bring photo ID. State the date of marriage. Give the full names of both parties. The staff will find your record. They make copies while you wait.

Mail orders work too. Write a letter to the Clerk and Recorder. Include both names from the marriage. State the exact date. Include a copy of your ID. Enclose payment for the number of copies you want. Call 970-641-3503 for current fees. Fees change. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This ensures quick return.

The CDPHE provides an alternative. They sell marriage verifications. First copy costs $25. More copies cost $20 each. Order online through VitalChek. They add a surcharge. The phone number is 866-632-2604. Mail orders go to 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Remember, these are verifications. They are not full certificates. They confirm the marriage happened. They do not replace certified copies for all legal needs.

Historical Marriage Records in Gunnison County

Gunnison County dates back to 1877. Early settlers married here. The Colorado State Archives holds some of these records. Their collection includes documents from before 1960. The statewide marriage index is online. It covers 1890 to 1939. Gunnison County is in this index. Search by name. Find dates and license numbers. Then check if the Archives has the full record.

The State Archives is at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203. Call 303-866-2358. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Appointments are required. No walk-ins are allowed. Fees are reasonable. Vital records cost $11. Add a $12 handling fee per request. This is cheaper than CDPHE. The Archives is good for genealogy work. They have research help available.

FamilySearch.org offers a free index. It covers Colorado marriages from 1853 to 2006. This includes Gunnison County. Create a free account to search. The index lists grooms alphabetically. Some cards are out of order. Use it as a starting point. Then contact the county or state archives for copies.

Note: Records between 1940 and 1974 may only be available through the county clerk's office.

Cities and Towns in Gunnison County

Gunnison County includes several communities. All rely on the Gunnison office for marriage records. Crested Butte is a famous ski town. Mt. Crested Butte sits at the base of the resort. Almont is a small community. Pitkin is historic. Parlin, Powderhorn, and Somerset are rural areas. All are part of Gunnison County. Their residents use the same clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

If you cannot find a record in Gunnison County, try these neighboring counties. Borders can confuse where records are kept.