Sedgwick County Marriage License Lookup
Sedgwick County sits in the northeastern corner of Colorado along the Nebraska border. The county seat is Julesburg, a community with deep pioneer roots. Marriage records from this rural county are maintained by the clerk and recorder. Local residents and those from nearby towns rely on this office. The county serves a small population spread across agricultural land. Finding marriage records here requires visiting the Julesburg office. The process is straightforward and follows state guidelines.
Where to Get Marriage Records in Sedgwick County
The Sedgwick County Clerk and Recorder office in Julesburg maintains all marriage records for this county. This office serves residents of Julesburg, Ovid, and surrounding rural areas. The clerk handles marriage license applications and registers completed marriages. Records date back to the county's formation in the late 19th century.
Marriage verifications come from a different state office. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides these documents. A verification confirms a marriage occurred. It is not the same as a certified copy. Understanding this difference helps you request the right document.
Historical records may be available at the Colorado State Archives. The Archives holds records from before 1960. Their statewide marriage index covers 1890 to 1939. This helps researchers tracing pioneer families in this agricultural region.
Colorado law restricts access to marriage records. Only those with direct interest may obtain copies. Proof of relationship may be required for requests.
Sedgwick County Clerk and Recorder Office
The Clerk and Recorder office in Julesburg operates under C.R.S. § 14-2-106. Staff issue marriage licenses to qualified couples. They also maintain records of marriages performed in Sedgwick County. The office serves a rural community with personal attention.
Services include issuing new marriage licenses. The office provides certified copies of marriage certificates. These serve as legal proof of marriage. Government agencies require them for various purposes. The Julesburg office is the only location serving Sedgwick County.
The rural location serves residents across a wide area. The office maintains regular hours for customer convenience. Staff can answer questions about the marriage license process.
Marriage License Requirements in Sedgwick County
Obtaining a marriage license in Sedgwick County requires meeting state requirements. Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk and Recorder office. This ensures proper identification verification. Under C.R.S. § 14-2-106, at least one party must appear to apply.
Age requirements apply to all applicants. Both parties must be 18 years or older. Those aged 16 or 17 need judicial approval. This involves court procedures. Minors under 16 cannot marry in Colorado.
Identification is essential for the application. Acceptable forms include driver's licenses and passports. Military IDs and state-issued cards also work. All IDs must be current and valid. Expired documents are not accepted.
The license fee includes statutory components. The base fee is $7. An additional $20 goes to the Colorado domestic abuse program fund. County fees may also apply.
Timing is important for wedding planning. Marriage licenses are valid for 35 days only. Per C.R.S. § 14-2-107, unused licenses must be returned. They are not valid outside Colorado.
Note: Colorado allows self-solemnization, meaning couples may perform their own ceremony.
Ordering Certified Copies from Sedgwick County
After your wedding, you may need certified copies of your marriage certificate. Sedgwick County residents can order these from the Clerk and Recorder office. These documents carry legal weight. They prove marriage status to government agencies.
The process requires submitting a request form. Provide specific details about the marriage. Include full names of both spouses. Provide the date of marriage. The county where the ceremony occurred is also needed.
Identification must accompany your request. The identification requirements document lists acceptable options. Primary ID is preferred. Secondary documents may work in some cases.
Some people need marriage verifications instead. The CDPHE Vital Records office provides these. A verification confirms a marriage took place. It does not include all certificate details. Fees are set by state law.
Historical Marriage Records in Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County has agricultural and pioneer history dating to 1889. Genealogy researchers seek historical marriage records from this region. The Colorado State Archives holds records from before 1960. These documents help trace farming families and early settlers.
The statewide marriage index helps researchers. It covers marriages from 1890 to 1939. This index is searchable online through the Archives Search database. Entries include spouses' names and marriage dates. County and license numbers are listed.
Not all indexed records remain at the Archives. Some were returned to counties. Others may be stored elsewhere. If the Archives does not have your record, contact the Sedgwick County Clerk and Recorder.
Fees at the State Archives differ from county offices. Vital record requests cost $11 per document. A $12 handling fee applies. These lower costs help researchers.
Most Colorado marriage records lack parents' names. Researchers should not expect this information.
Nearby Counties
These Colorado counties border Sedgwick County. If you cannot find a marriage record in Sedgwick County, the ceremony may have taken place in one of these neighboring counties.