Kiowa County Marriage License Lookup

Kiowa County is on Colorado's eastern plains. It is farming and ranching country. The county seat is Eads. This small town is the center of government. The Clerk and Recorder office is here. It handles all marriage records for the county. The plains stretch for miles. The sky is vast. Couples marry here for the open space. The office serves the local community. It also helps visitors who choose this quiet place.

Where to Get Marriage Records in Kiowa County

The Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder is in Eads. This is the only place for marriage licenses in the county. The office is small and friendly. The staff knows everyone. They help with new licenses. They find old records. They make certified copies. You can visit in person. Calling ahead is wise. The staff can prepare for your visit.

The Colorado State Archives holds some older records. Their marriage index covers 1890 to 1939. Kiowa County is in this index. The county formed in 1889. So records from the beginning exist. Search the online index. It is free. Find names and dates. Get license numbers. Then contact the Archives. See if they have the actual record. If not, call Eads. The county kept most files.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides verifications. These confirm a marriage happened in Kiowa County. They are not full certificates. A verification shows names and the date. CDPHE charges $25 for the first copy. Additional copies cost $20 each. Order through VitalChek at 866-632-2604. Or mail to 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246.

Note: Certified copies of marriage certificates must be obtained from the Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder office.

Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder Office

The Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder is at 1305 Goff Street in Eads. This is the county seat. Eads is the main town in Kiowa County. There are no other incorporated towns. The office serves the entire county. This includes rural residents. It includes farmers and ranchers. All marriage licenses come from here. The clerk handles each request. You receive personal service.

Office hours are Monday through Friday. The office opens at 8:00 AM. It closes at 4:00 PM. Call 719-438-5421 to confirm. The plains weather is usually mild. But storms can happen. Call before you travel long distances. The staff wants to help. They can answer questions by phone. They will tell you what to bring.

To get a license, bring valid ID. A driver's license works. A passport is fine. Both parties should come. One can come with a notarized affidavit for the other. You need Social Security numbers. The fee is $27. The license is valid for 35 days. Use it only in Colorado. After the wedding, the officiant returns the certificate. The clerk files it. You can then get certified copies.

Marriage License Requirements in Kiowa County

Kiowa County follows Colorado law. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-106, you must be 18 or older. Ages 16 and 17 need court approval. Minors need certified birth certificates. Both parties must provide Social Security numbers. You do not need Colorado residency. Visitors can marry here. The eastern plains offer wide open spaces. Many couples appreciate this setting.

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 needed. 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 allows self-solemnization. The couple can perform their own ceremony. No officiant is required. This is rare in the United States. Both parties sign as officiants. This is legal in Colorado. It works well for private ceremonies. Kiowa County's open plains are ideal. You can marry anywhere. No witnesses are required. This makes for simple weddings.

Items needed for a Kiowa County marriage license:

• Valid government-issued photo identification
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Payment of $27
• If applicable, certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate

Ordering Certified Copies from Kiowa County

After your wedding, obtain certified copies. These prove your marriage is legal. You need them for official purposes. The Social Security Office requires one. The DMV needs one for name changes. Your employer may ask. Insurance companies want them. The Kiowa County Clerk can help. Contact the office in Eads. Call 719-438-5421 first. Small offices have limited staff. They appreciate advance notice.

Mail orders are accepted. Write to the Kiowa County Clerk. Include the names on the license. State the marriage date. Include a copy of your ID. Send payment for copies. Call for current fees. Fees can change. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This ensures return of your copies. Allow extra time for mail. Small offices process mail when staff is available.

CDPHE offers marriage verifications. These cost $25 for the first copy. Additional copies are $20 each. Order online through VitalChek. They add a processing surcharge. The phone is 866-632-2604. Mail orders go to 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. These are verifications only. They confirm the marriage happened. They are not full certified copies. For complete certificates, contact Kiowa County directly.

Note: Marriage verifications serve different legal purposes than certified copies.

Historical Marriage Records in Kiowa County

Kiowa County formed in 1889. It is named after the Kiowa people. Early settlers married here. The Colorado State Archives preserves some records. Their online marriage index covers 1890 to 1939. Kiowa County is included. Records from the county's founding exist. Search the index for free. Find names and dates. Get license numbers. Then check with the Archives.

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 are accepted. Fees are low. Vital records cost $11. Add a $12 handling fee. This is per request. The cost is less than CDPHE. Good for genealogy research. They provide research assistance.

FamilySearch.org has a free index. It covers Colorado marriages from 1853 to 2006. Kiowa County is included. Create a free account. Search by name. The index lists grooms. Some cards are out of order. This is normal. Use it to find dates. Then contact the county or archives for copies.

Note: Records from 1940 to 1974 may only be available at the county clerk's office.

Cities and Towns in Kiowa County

Kiowa County has one incorporated town. Eads is the county seat. It is the only town. The rest of the county is rural. Farming and ranching dominate. There are small unincorporated communities. They use the Eads office for all records. The clerk's office serves everyone. All residents come here for marriage licenses. It is the center of county government.

Nearby Counties

If you cannot find a record in Kiowa County, check these neighboring counties. Plains counties share similar characteristics.