Access La Plata County Marriage License

La Plata County Clerk and Recorder in Durango issues marriage licenses for couples planning weddings in this popular destination location.

La Plata County Clerk and Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder office in Durango handles marriage licenses for La Plata County. Durango sits in southwest Colorado near the New Mexico border. Many couples come here for destination weddings. The area offers mountain views, historic sites, and outdoor venues.

Both people must visit the clerk office together to apply. Bring your IDs and $30 for the fee. The staff will help you fill out the application. Most visits take less than 30 minutes. You get your license the same day. No appointment is needed at most times but call ahead during peak wedding season.

Durango is a four-hour drive from Denver. It takes about an hour from Farmington, New Mexico. If you fly in, Durango-La Plata County Airport serves the area. Rent a car at the airport to get to the clerk office downtown.

What You Need for Your License

La Plata County follows Colorado state law for marriage licenses. You must be at least 18 years old. People aged 16 or 17 need a court order signed by a judge. No one under 16 can get married in Colorado per state statute.

Bring a valid photo ID to your visit. Your driver license is best. A passport works too. So does a state ID card. Make sure your ID is current and not expired. If you have no photo ID, bring your birth certificate instead. The clerk needs to confirm your age and identity.

You need the last four digits of your Social Security number. Write them on the application form. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must sign an affidavit. The clerk will give you this form. It takes just a minute to fill out and sign at the counter.

• Photo ID such as driver license or passport
• Birth certificate if no photo ID available
• Social Security number last four digits
• Parents' names and addresses
• Previous marriage information if applicable
• $30 payment in cash, check, or card

The application asks for your parents' full names. This includes maiden names for mothers. If you do not know this information, write what you can. The clerk will help you complete the form.

Getting Your Marriage License

Walk into the La Plata County Clerk office during business hours. Tell the staff you need a marriage license. They will hand you an application form. You can fill it out there or bring a completed form if you found it online first.

The form asks for basic information about both of you. Your full names go at the top. Then your birth dates and places of birth. List your current addresses. Write down your parents' names if you know them. If you were married before, include the date your last marriage ended. This can be a divorce date or death date.

Turn in your completed form with both IDs. The clerk will review everything. They type up your license and print it right there. You receive it the same day. The whole process takes about 20 to 30 minutes in most cases.

Pay the $30 fee before you leave. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Your license is valid for 35 days from issue date under C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use it anywhere in Colorado during those 35 days.

Wedding Ceremony Options in La Plata County

Colorado allows self-solemnization. This means you can marry yourselves without an officiant. No judge, minister, or other person needs to sign your license. Just you and your partner sign it on your wedding day. This option is set in C.R.S. 14-2-109.

Self-solemnization is popular in La Plata County. Many couples marry at scenic spots like mountain overlooks or near waterfalls. You do not need to arrange for an officiant. Just pick your spot, say your vows, and sign the license. This makes destination weddings much easier.

If you prefer a traditional ceremony, you can have one. Judges and magistrates can perform weddings in Colorado. Clergy members are also allowed. Retired judges can do it too. Your friend or family member cannot sign as the officiant unless they are ordained clergy or a judge with legal authority.

Witnesses are not required in Colorado. If you want people to sign your license, you can have them. There is no age limit for witnesses. Children can sign if you want them to participate.

After your ceremony, complete the certificate section of your license. Write the date, time, and location of your wedding. Both of you sign as the parties to the marriage. If you had an officiant, they sign too. Return the completed license to La Plata County within 63 days. Mail it or drop it off in person. Late returns may result in a $20 fee plus $5 per day up to a $50 maximum.

Destination Weddings in La Plata County

La Plata County is a top choice for destination weddings in Colorado. Durango offers Old West charm with modern amenities. The San Juan Mountains provide stunning backdrops. Many couples marry near scenic spots then return their license by mail.

Popular wedding locations include mountain overlooks, riverside spots, and historic venues in downtown Durango. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers a unique setting. Vallecito Lake and Lemon Reservoir are also popular choices. Most of these spots are on public land where you can self-solemnize.

Plan your timing carefully. Your license is only valid for 35 days. Get it close to your wedding date. Summer and fall are busy seasons in Durango. Hotels and venues book up fast. Make reservations several months ahead if you plan a summer wedding.

The altitude in La Plata County ranges from 6,500 to over 10,000 feet. Durango sits at about 6,500 feet. This is lower than many Colorado mountain towns. Most people adjust fine to this altitude. Drink water and take it easy your first day if you are coming from sea level.

License Fees and Certified Copies

The marriage license costs $30 in La Plata County. This is the same price in every Colorado county. The fee is set by state law in C.R.S. 14-2-106. You pay when you pick up your license at the clerk office.

After your license is recorded, you can order certified copies. The La Plata County Clerk charges $1.25 per copy. This is much cheaper than ordering from the state. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment charges $17 for a copy from their Denver office.

Order copies from the La Plata County Clerk by mail or in person. If you mail your request, include a note with both full names and the marriage date. Send a check or money order for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to save on handling fees. The clerk will mail your copies within a few days.

Marriage Records in La Plata County

Marriage records are public documents in Colorado. Anyone can request a copy of a marriage certificate. The license application itself is confidential under state law. Only the people named on the license can get copies of the application.

To find a marriage record, contact the La Plata County Clerk office. Give them the names of both people and the approximate date of marriage. The staff will search their files. Recent records are easy to locate. Older records may take longer if they are archived or in storage.

You can also contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. Call (303) 692-2000 with questions. They keep a central database of all Colorado marriages. The fee is $17 for a certified copy.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. This is a private company that works with the state. They charge service fees on top of the state fee. It is faster than mail but costs more. Most people order directly from the county or state office instead.

Other Counties Near La Plata

If La Plata County does not work for you, try a nearby county. All Colorado marriage licenses work statewide. You can apply in one county and marry in another. The fee is always $30 no matter where you apply.

Montezuma County is west of La Plata County. The county seat is Cortez. This is near Mesa Verde National Park. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for the same $30 fee. Cortez is about 45 minutes from Durango.

Archuleta County sits to the east of La Plata County. The county seat is Pagosa Springs. This town is known for its hot springs. The drive from Durango takes about an hour. The clerk office follows the same state rules for marriage licenses.

San Juan County is north of La Plata County. The county seat is Silverton. This small mountain town sits at high altitude. It is a scenic drive from Durango on the Million Dollar Highway. You can also take the historic train. The clerk office there can issue your marriage license for $30.