Search Montrose County Marriage License
Montrose County issues marriage licenses at the Clerk and Recorder office in the city of Montrose on the western slope.
Montrose County Quick Facts
Montrose County Clerk and Recorder
The Clerk and Recorder office in Montrose handles marriage licenses for the county. Montrose is in western Colorado about halfway between Grand Junction and Durango. The town sits at the base of the San Juan Mountains near Black Canyon National Park.
Both people must visit the office together to apply. Bring your IDs and $30 for the fee. The staff will help you complete the application. Most visits take 20 to 30 minutes. You get your license the same day.
| Office | Montrose County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Location | County Courthouse Montrose, CO |
| Fee | $30.00 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call ahead to confirm) |
| Payment | Cash, check, or credit card |
Requirements for Your License
Montrose County follows Colorado state law for marriage licenses. You must be at least 18 years old to marry. If you are 16 or 17, a judge must sign a court order first. No one under 16 can get married in Colorado.
Bring a valid photo ID to your visit. A driver license works best. A passport is also fine. So is a state ID card. Make sure your ID is not expired.
You need the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have one, you must sign an affidavit. The clerk will provide this form at the office.
- Valid photo ID like driver license or passport
- Birth certificate if no photo ID is available
- Last four digits of Social Security number
- Parents' full names and addresses
- Previous marriage information if applicable
- $30 payment
The application asks for your parents' names. This includes your mother's maiden name. If you were married before, list when that marriage ended. The clerk will help you fill out the form.
Getting Your Marriage License
Walk into the Montrose 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 bring a completed form if you found it online.
The form asks for basic facts about both of you. Write your full names, birth dates, and places of birth. List your current addresses. Add your parents' names if you know them. If you were married before, include when that marriage ended.
Turn in your form with both IDs. The clerk will review everything and type up your license. You get it the same day. Pay the $30 fee before you leave.
Your license is valid for 35 days from the date it is issued per C.R.S. 14-2-107. You can use it anywhere in Colorado during that time.
Wedding Ceremony Options
Colorado allows self-solemnization. You can marry yourselves without an officiant. No judge or minister is needed. Just sign your license on your wedding day. This option is set in C.R.S. 14-2-109.
On your wedding day, fill out the ceremony section of your license. Write the date, time, and place. Both of you sign as the parties to the marriage. That is all you need to do. Witnesses are not required but you can have them if you want.
If you prefer a traditional ceremony, you can have one. Judges, magistrates, and clergy can perform weddings in Colorado. Retired judges are also allowed. Your friend or relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are ordained clergy or a judge.
After your ceremony, return the completed license to Montrose County within 63 days. Mail it or drop it off in person. Anyone can return it for you. Late returns may result in a $20 fee plus $5 per day up to $50 maximum.
License Fees and Certified Copies
The marriage license costs $30 in Montrose County. This is the same price in all Colorado counties. The fee is set by C.R.S. 14-2-106.
After your license is recorded, you can order certified copies. The Montrose County Clerk charges $1.25 per copy. This is much cheaper than the state charges. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment charges $17 per copy.
Order copies 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. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope to avoid handling fees.
Finding Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are public records in Colorado. Anyone can request a copy. The license application itself is confidential under state law. Only the people on the license can get copies of the application.
To find a marriage record in Montrose County, contact the Clerk and Recorder office. Give them the names of both people and the approximate date of marriage. The staff will search their files.
You can also contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 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 service charges extra fees on top of the state fee.
Nearby Counties
If Montrose County is not convenient, try another county. All Colorado marriage licenses work statewide. The fee is always $30 no matter where you apply.
Mesa County is north of Montrose County. The county seat is Grand Junction. This is the largest city on the western slope. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for $30.
Delta County is northeast of Montrose County. The county seat is Delta. This is about 30 miles from Montrose. The clerk office there follows the same state rules.
Ouray County is east of Montrose County. The county seat is Ouray. This small mountain town offers beautiful scenery. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for the same $30 fee.