Lake County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Lake County are issued by the Clerk and Recorder office located in Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America at 10,152 feet elevation.

Where to Apply in Lake County

The Lake County Clerk and Recorder office in Leadville handles all marriage license applications. You must visit in person to apply. Both people need to show up together. The office sits in the county courthouse in downtown Leadville. Street parking is available nearby.

Call ahead to confirm hours before you drive up. Mountain weather can affect office hours in winter. The altitude may also affect people who are not used to it. Take your time walking to the office if you feel short of breath. Most people adjust fine after a few minutes.

The clerk staff helps couples from all over Colorado. Many come to Leadville for mountain weddings. The town offers great views and outdoor venues. You can get your license and marry the same day if you want. There is no waiting period in Colorado.

Marriage License Requirements

Lake County follows state law for marriage licenses. You must be 18 or older. If you are 16 or 17, a court order is required first. No one under 16 can marry in Colorado. This rule is set by state law.

Both people must appear together at the clerk office. You cannot send someone else in your place unless you use the proxy marriage rules. Proxy marriage is only for military members or government contractors stationed overseas. One of you must be a Colorado resident for proxy marriage.

Bring valid ID to your appointment. A driver license works best. Your passport is also fine. A state ID card is acceptable too. Make sure your ID is not expired. If you have no photo ID, bring your original birth certificate instead.

You need your Social Security number. The clerk only asks for the last four digits. Write them on the application form. If you do not have a Social Security number, sign an affidavit instead. The clerk will provide this form at the office.

Know your parents' names and addresses. The form requires this information. If you do not know their current address or your father's name, write what you know. The clerk can help if you have questions about what to put on the form.

How to Get Your License

Walk into the Lake County Clerk office during business hours. Tell the staff you need a marriage license. They will give you an application form. You can fill it out there or ahead of time if you find it online.

The form asks for basic facts. Your full name goes at the top. Then your birth date and place of birth. List your current address. Put down your parents' full names if you know them. If you were married before, write when that marriage ended. This can be a divorce date or the date your spouse died.

After you finish the form, hand it to the clerk with your IDs. They will check everything. Then they type up your license and print it. You get it the same day. The process takes about 20 minutes in most cases. Some days may be busier than others.

Pay the $30 fee before you leave. Cash is easiest but cards work too. The clerk will give you your license and explain what to do next. Your license is valid for 35 days per C.R.S. 14-2-107. Use it anywhere in Colorado during that time.

Wedding Ceremony Options

Colorado is one of the few states that lets couples marry themselves. This is called self-solemnization. You do not need a judge or minister. Just sign the license on your wedding day. This makes things simple if you want a private ceremony or an outdoor wedding with no officiant.

The law for self-solemnization is in C.R.S. 14-2-109. It says the parties to the marriage can solemnize it. This means you two can sign your own license. No third party is needed. This option is popular in Lake County since many couples marry on mountain peaks or remote trails.

If you want a traditional ceremony, that works too. A judge, magistrate, or clergy member can perform your wedding. Retired judges are also allowed. Your friend or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are ordained clergy or an authorized judge. Only these people have legal authority to solemnize marriages in Colorado.

You do not need witnesses in Colorado. State law does not require them. If you want witnesses to sign, you can have them. There is no age limit. Even young children can sign if you want them to be part of your ceremony.

After your wedding, fill out the certificate section on your license. Write where and when you got married. Sign your names. If you had an officiant, they sign too. Then return the completed license to Lake County within 63 days. You can mail it or bring it in person. Late returns may result in a $20 fee plus $5 per day up to $50 maximum.

License Fees and Record Copies

The marriage license costs $30 in Lake County. This fee is the same in all Colorado counties. It is set by C.R.S. 14-2-106. You pay when you pick up your license. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted at most county offices.

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

Order copies from the Lake County Clerk in person or by mail. If you mail your request, include a note with both names and the marriage date. Send a check for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to avoid extra handling fees. The clerk will mail your copies back to you.

Finding Marriage Records

Marriage records in Lake County are kept at the Clerk and Recorder office. After your license is recorded, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy of the marriage certificate. The application itself stays confidential under Colorado law.

To find an old marriage record, call the Lake County Clerk office. Tell them the names of the couple and the approximate date of marriage. The staff will search their files. Recent records are easy to find. Older records may take longer if they are in storage or archived.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also keeps marriage records. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. Call them at (303) 692-2000 with questions. They can search their database and send you a certified copy. The fee is $17 for the first copy.

You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. This is a private company that works with the state. They charge extra service fees on top of the state fee. It is faster than mail but costs more. Most people just call the county clerk or the state office instead.

Mountain Wedding Considerations

Lake County sits at high altitude. Leadville is over 10,000 feet above sea level. This can affect people who are not used to mountains. You may feel short of breath or tired. Drink extra water. Avoid alcohol the night before. Take it slow if you plan to hike to your ceremony spot.

Weather changes fast in the mountains. Summer mornings can be cool. Afternoons may bring rain or storms. Always have a backup plan. Bring warm clothes even in July or August. If you plan an outdoor wedding, check the forecast the day before.

Many couples choose Lake County for destination weddings. The scenery is beautiful. Mountain peaks surround the area. Turquoise Lake offers water views. Historic Leadville has old buildings and charm. You can marry on a trail, at a lake, or in town. Self-solemnization makes it easy since you do not need to find an officiant.

Plan ahead for lodging. Leadville has hotels and bed and breakfasts. Summer weekends book up fast. Make reservations early if you plan to stay overnight. The drive from Denver takes about two hours. You can also stay in nearby Breckenridge or Frisco and drive over for your license.

Other Counties Nearby

If Lake County is not convenient, try another county. All Colorado marriage licenses work statewide. You can apply in one county and marry in another. The fee is always $30 no matter which county you choose.

Summit County is north of Lake County. Their clerk office is in Breckenridge. It is a popular spot for mountain weddings. The office requires appointments. Call ahead to book your slot. The process takes about 20 minutes according to their website.

Park County sits to the northeast. The county seat is Fairplay. Their clerk office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They close early on the second Tuesday of each month for staff meetings.

Chaffee County is south of Lake County. The clerk office is in Salida. This town is lower in elevation than Leadville. It may be easier to visit if you are sensitive to altitude. The $30 fee and 35-day validity are the same as every other county.