Hinsdale County Marriage License Lookup

Hinsdale County is the least populous county in Colorado. The entire county has under 1,000 residents. The county seat is Lake City. This small town hosts the Clerk and Recorder office. Despite its size, Hinsdale County keeps complete marriage records. The staff handles licenses for local couples. They also serve visitors who want a mountain wedding. Records date back to the 1870s. The office preserves this history carefully.

Where to Get Marriage Records in Hinsdale County

The Hinsdale County Clerk and Recorder office is in Lake City. This is the only place to get marriage licenses in the county. It is also where all marriage certificates are filed. The office is small. The staff is helpful. They know the local families. They can help find old records. They also issue new licenses. The process is personal. You work directly with the clerk.

Historical records from Hinsdale County may be at the Colorado State Archives. Their online index covers 1890 to 1939. Hinsdale County is included. The index is free to search. It shows names and dates. You see license numbers. The Archives may have some actual records. Contact them to check. If they do not have what you need, call Lake City. The county likely kept the records.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides another option. They issue marriage verifications for Hinsdale County. These are not full certificates. They only confirm a marriage took place. The verification lists names and the date. CDPHE charges $25 for the first copy. More copies cost $20 each. Order through VitalChek at 866-632-2604. Or mail to 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246.

Note: For certified copies, you must contact the Hinsdale County Clerk and Recorder directly.

Hinsdale County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Hinsdale County Clerk and Recorder is at 311 North Henson Street in Lake City. This is a small office. It serves all of Hinsdale County. The county is large in area but tiny in population. Lake City is the only incorporated town. All marriage licenses come from this office. The clerk handles everything personally. You get one-on-one service.

Office hours are limited. Call 970-944-2225 before visiting. Hours may vary by season. Winter access can be difficult. The mountain roads are challenging. Summer is easier for visitors. The license fee follows state law. It is $7 for the license. Add $20 for the domestic abuse fund. Total is $27. Both parties should bring ID. Social Security numbers are required. The license is valid for 35 days. It is only good in Colorado.

After your wedding, return the certificate to this office. The clerk will file it. You can then get certified copies. These are legal proof of marriage. You need them for official business. The office can make copies. Call ahead to arrange this. Small offices have limited staff. They appreciate advance notice.

Marriage License Requirements in Hinsdale County

Hinsdale County follows Colorado marriage laws. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-106, you must be 18 or older. Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds need court approval. Bring a certified birth certificate if you are a minor. Both parties need Social Security numbers. You do not need to live in Colorado. Visitors can marry here. Many choose Hinsdale County for its remote beauty.

The application is simple. You state your full name. You give your address. You provide your date and place of birth. No blood test is required. Colorado has no waiting period. You receive the license immediately. It is valid for 35 days. You must marry within that time. The ceremony must occur in Colorado. The license is not valid in other states.

Colorado permits self-solemnization. This is unique. The couple can perform their own ceremony. No judge or minister is needed. Both parties sign as officiants. This works well for private ceremonies. Hinsdale County's isolation makes it perfect for this. You can marry in the wilderness. No witnesses are required by state law. This is legal in Colorado.

What to bring for a Hinsdale County marriage license:

• Valid photo identification for both parties
• Social Security numbers
• $27 fee
• If applicable, documentation of divorce or death of prior spouse

Ordering Certified Copies from Hinsdale County

You will need certified copies after your wedding. These documents prove your marriage. Government agencies require them. The Social Security Administration needs one. The driver's license office needs one. Your employer may need one. Hinsdale County can provide these. Contact the Clerk and Recorder in Lake City. Call 970-944-2225 first. Small county offices have limited hours. They will tell you the best time to visit.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Hinsdale County Clerk. Include the names on the marriage license. State the date of marriage. Include a copy of your photo ID. Send payment for the number of copies you want. Call for current fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This ensures return of your copies. Allow extra time for mail processing. Small offices handle mail when staff is available.

CDPHE offers marriage verifications as an alternative. These cost $25 for the first copy. Additional copies are $20 each. Order through VitalChek online. They charge extra fees. The phone is 866-632-2604. Mail orders go to 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Remember, these are verifications only. They confirm the marriage occurred. They are not full certified copies.

Note: Allow extra processing time when requesting records from small rural counties.

Historical Marriage Records in Hinsdale County

Hinsdale County has a rich mining history. It formed in 1874. Early settlers married here. Records from this era are valuable. The Colorado State Archives may hold some. Their online index covers 1890 to 1939. Hinsdale County is in this index. Search for free. Find names and dates. The index gives license numbers. Then check if the Archives has the record.

The State Archives is at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203. Phone is 303-866-2358. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Appointments are required. No walk-ins. The Archives charges $11 for vital records. Add a $12 handling fee. This applies per request. The cost is lower than CDPHE. This is good for genealogy research.

FamilySearch.org has a Colorado marriage index. It covers 1853 to 2006. Hinsdale County is included. The index is free. Create an account to search. It lists grooms alphabetically. Some cards are out of order. This is normal. Use it to find dates. Then contact the county or archives for copies.

Note: Most Colorado marriage records do not include parents' names, which differs from other states.

Cities and Towns in Hinsdale County

Hinsdale County has only one incorporated town. Lake City is the county seat. It is also the only town. The rest of the county is unincorporated. There are no other cities. The county is mostly wilderness. It includes parts of the San Juan Mountains. Lake City serves all residents. The clerk's office is here. Everyone uses this one office.

Nearby Counties

If you cannot find a record in Hinsdale County, check these neighboring counties. Records may be filed in the wrong county. Borders are sometimes confusing.