Ouray County Marriage License Search
Ouray County Clerk and Recorder in the town of Ouray issues marriage licenses with online and in-person application options.
Ouray County Quick Facts
Ouray County Clerk and Recorder
The Clerk and Recorder office in Ouray handles marriage licenses for the county. Ouray is a small mountain town in southwest Colorado. The town sits at 7,800 feet elevation in a box canyon surrounded by peaks. Many people call it the Switzerland of America.
Ouray County offers online and in-person applications for marriage licenses. This makes it easier for couples planning destination weddings. Both people must still appear together to pick up the license. The fee is $30 no matter which application method you use.
| Office | Ouray County Clerk and Recorder |
|---|---|
| Location | County Courthouse Ouray, CO |
| Fee | $30.00 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call ahead to confirm) |
| Application | Online or in-person options available |
| Payment | Cash, check, or credit card |
Requirements for Your License
Ouray County follows Colorado state law for marriage licenses. You must be at least 18 years old to marry. If you are 16 or 17, you need a court order first. No one under 16 can get married in Colorado.
Bring a valid photo ID to the clerk office. Your driver license is best. A passport works too. So does 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.
- Valid photo ID like driver license or passport
- Birth certificate if no photo ID available
- Last four digits of Social Security number
- Parents' full names
- Previous marriage details if applicable
- $30 fee
The application asks for your parents' names and addresses. If you were married before, list when that marriage ended. The clerk will help you if you have questions.
Getting Your Marriage License
Ouray County offers two ways to apply. You can fill out an online application before your visit. Or you can walk in and fill out the form there. Either way, both people must show up together to pick up the license.
The online application is on the county website. Fill it out with your basic information. Your full names, birth dates, and places of birth go at the top. List your current addresses. Add your parents' names if you know them. If you were married before, include when that marriage ended.
After you submit the online form, make an appointment to pick up your license. Bring both IDs and payment when you visit. The clerk will verify your information and print your license. You get it the same day.
If you prefer to walk in, that works too. Tell the staff you need a marriage license. They will give you a form to fill out. Hand it in with both IDs. Pay the $30 fee. You get your license right away.
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.
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 in C.R.S. 14-2-109.
Ouray County is a popular destination wedding location. The mountain scenery is stunning. Many couples marry at scenic overlooks or near waterfalls. Self-solemnization makes it easy since you do not need to find an officiant.
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. 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 Ouray 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 $50 maximum.
License Fees and Certified Copies
The marriage license costs $30 in Ouray 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 Ouray 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.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are public records in Colorado. Anyone can request a copy. The license application itself is confidential under state law.
To find a marriage record in Ouray 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.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. This service charges extra fees on top of the state fee.
Nearby Counties
If Ouray County is not convenient, try another county. All Colorado marriage licenses work statewide. The fee is always $30.
Montrose County is west of Ouray County. The county seat is Montrose. This is about an hour from Ouray. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for $30.
San Juan County is south of Ouray County. The county seat is Silverton. This mountain town is on the Million Dollar Highway. The clerk office there follows the same state rules.
Gunnison County is northeast of Ouray County. The county seat is Gunnison. The drive takes about two hours from Ouray. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for the same $30 fee.