Ouray County Marriage Certificate Lookup
Ouray County marriage records are kept in Ouray, the county seat. This spectacular mountain county is known as the Switzerland of America. The Clerk and Recorder office serves couples seeking dramatic alpine weddings. Hot springs and rugged peaks attract visitors year-round. Staff handle licenses with small-town warmth. The historic mining town provides a romantic setting. Records here capture mountain romance.
Where to Get Marriage Records in Ouray County
The Ouray County Clerk and Recorder is your starting point. This office sits in Ouray. The town is historic and beautiful. It was a mining center. Now it welcomes couples.
The Clerk handles all marriage documents. They issue new licenses. They file completed certificates. They provide certified copies. Service is friendly and prompt.
The Secretary of State directory lists contact information. Phone numbers and hours are included. Call ahead before visiting. Mountain weather can affect access.
State verification is available too. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides these. Their Denver office processes requests. The address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South. Verifications confirm marriage facts only.
Historical records have special handling. The Colorado State Archives holds older documents. Their marriage index spans 1890 to 1939. Ouray County records may be included.
Ouray County Clerk and Recorder Office
The Ouray office serves all of Ouray County. Staff follow C.R.S. § 14-2-106 carefully. This statute guides marriage license issuance. Ouray County applies it with care.
Personal attention defines this office. The county has few residents. Staff provide individualized service. They answer questions thoroughly. They guide applicants. No one feels rushed.
The mountain location affects operations. Weather impacts access. Winter roads may be challenging. Summer brings wedding season. Staff accommodate visitors. Call before traveling.
Record keeping meets state standards. Documents are organized. Retrieval is efficient. Certified copies are prepared quickly. Privacy is protected.
Note: Office hours may vary seasonally in this mountain community.
Marriage License Requirements in Ouray County
Ouray County follows Colorado law exactly. Requirements are consistent statewide. Understanding them helps applicants prepare. Proper preparation speeds the process.
Personal appearance is required. At least one party must visit the Ouray office. Both parties are encouraged to come. Staff can answer questions. Identification is verified in person.
Age rules protect young people. Eighteen is the standard age. Those who are sixteen or seventeen need court approval. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-106, judges review requests. Maturity is assessed. Younger applicants face limits.
Identification must be valid. Government-issued photo ID is necessary. Acceptable forms include:
- Colorado driver's license or ID card
- United States passport
- Military identification card
- Tribal identification card
Timing rules are important. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-107, licenses expire in thirty-five days. Ceremonies must happen within this period. Unused licenses become void. Applicants must start over.
Ordering Certified Copies from Ouray County
Certified copies serve many needs. Ouray County provides them reliably. Privacy laws are respected. Authenticity is guaranteed. These principles guide every request.
In-person requests work best here. Visit the Ouray office. Bring current identification. Provide marriage details. Staff will locate the record. Payment is required. Copies are prepared.
Mail requests serve distant applicants. Write a clear request. Include complete information. Send identification copy. Enclose payment. Provide a return address. Allow time.
State verification offers another path. The CDPHE Vital Records office handles these. Their address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Processing takes about thirty business days.
VitalChek provides online convenience. Call 866-632-2604 for support. Their service adds fees. Processing may be quicker.
Access is limited by law. Under C.R.S. § 25-2-117, restrictions apply. Spouses can obtain their own records. Certain family members may qualify. Legal representatives need authority.
Historical Marriage Records in Ouray County
Ouray County has rich mining history. The county formed in 1877. Silver and gold brought settlers. Marriages followed quickly. The Colorado State Archives preserves early records.
The marriage index is available online. It covers 1890 through 1939. Ouray County marriages appear. Names of both spouses are listed. Marriage dates are shown. License numbers help locate documents.
Not all records stayed with the Archives. Some returned to the county. Others may be elsewhere. Check before making a trip. Contact the Archives to confirm.
Original records need careful care. Certificates from the 1880s survive. Bound registers contain entries. Microfilm copies preserve fragile items. Each format has special needs. Staff guide proper handling.
Research room access requires planning. Appointments are mandatory. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays are closed. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule.
Fees support preservation. Records cost $11 each. Handling adds $12 per request. Self-serve copies run $0.25 per page. Personal cameras may be used free.
Nearby Counties
These Colorado counties border Ouray County. Marriage records for ceremonies conducted near county boundaries may be located in these neighboring offices.