Learn How to Find Colorado Marriage Certificates

Colorado marriages are among the shortest listing of their kind – the state and its counties started maintaining level records only in 1968, which is much later than the other states in the country. You can, however, still get a copy of the Colorado marriage certificate when you need one, provided of course you know where to get it from and how to send your application.

Writing an Effective Request for Your Colorado Marriage Copy

•    Your letter should be brief and to the point. Only one or two requests should be made in the initial letter.
•    You are asking for information about a specific person and event – in your turn, you need to submit all possible information about the relevant Colorado marriage.
•    If the person getting married had more than one first name, mention all of them, even nicknames and alternate spellings.
•    The marriage date given should be accurate. If however you are not too sure, you will need to specify a time span for searching. Try to be sure of the start and end dates – you will be charged for all the years the search covers.
•    If you do not know how many pages a Colorado marriage deed will fill, you cannot know the fees payable. Nor will your application be processed faster by advance payment. Avoid paying on guess estimate. Be patient and get the hard facts right.
•    If you must pay in advance and send a blank check. Under the "$__________" line of the check, write ideally in red ink, "Not to exceed $__.00", that is, the maximum amount you can realistically estimate as reasonable and right. And remember to sign it!
•    Even if you avoid making an incentive payment, you will still have to write two letters. The first letter should be a statement of what you need, along with all the information you can provide, and a request to be sent an inventory of charges. You can then safely enclose your check for the exact sum in your second letter.
•    With your initial request, you must always remember to enclose a stamped and self-addressed envelope.
•    State and county offices are perennially short of hands. Besides, genealogical research is not part of their job. They do it as a kindness, but in return, expect all the patience and courtesy you can extend – especially if you find their responses slower than you might want!

How to Apply for Your Colorado Marriage Certificate Copy

If you are requesting a copy of a Colorado marriage license, make sure you include the following:
 
•    Husband’s full name (last name in capital letters)
•    Wife’s full maiden name (last name in capital letters)
•    Marriage date 
•    Marriage location 
•    Relationship to you 
•    Why the record is needed
•    Your name & address
•    Your driver's license number & state (some counties require it)
•    Your signature

For marriages in 1900-1939 and 1975-present and divorces in 1900-1939 and 1968-present, you will need to write to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Records, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80222-1530. You can also call 303-756-4464, send a fax to 303-782-5576, or request a Denver marriage certificate.