Access Park County Marriage License

Park County offers marriage licenses at two locations: Fairplay and Bailey, with convenient early morning hours.

Park County Clerk and Recorder Offices

Park County has two clerk offices where you can get a marriage license. The main office is in Fairplay, the county seat. A second office operates in Bailey. Both locations offer the same services for marriage licenses.

The offices are open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is earlier than most county offices in Colorado. The early start time works well for couples planning morning ceremonies. The offices close on the second Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM for staff meetings.

Both people must visit one of the offices together. Bring your IDs and $30 for the fee. Some sources say Park County requires cash only, so bring cash to be safe. The staff will help you fill out the application. You get your license the same day.

Marriage License Requirements

Park 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 signed by a judge first. No one under 16 can get married in Colorado per state statute.

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 current and not expired. The clerk needs to verify your age and identity.

You need your Social Security number. The clerk only asks for the last four digits. If you do not have one, you must sign an affidavit. The clerk will give you this form at the office.

The application asks for your parents' names and addresses. This includes your mother's maiden name. If you were married before, list when that marriage ended. This can be a divorce date or the date your spouse died.

How to Apply

Walk into either the Fairplay or Bailey 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 information 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.

Hand in your completed form with both IDs. The clerk will review everything and type up your license. You get it the same day. Most visits take 20 to 30 minutes.

Pay the $30 fee before you leave. Bring cash with you. Some sources say Park County only takes cash for marriage licenses. It is better to bring cash than to find out they do not take cards.

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. After 35 days it expires.

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.

Park County offers beautiful mountain scenery for weddings. Many couples marry at scenic spots in the area. Self-solemnization makes it easy to have a private ceremony without arranging for 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. That is all you need to do. Witnesses are not required in Colorado but you can have them if you want.

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 relative cannot sign as the officiant unless they are ordained clergy or an authorized judge.

After your ceremony, return the completed license to Park County within 63 days. Mail it to either office 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 Park County. This is the same price in all Colorado counties. The fee is set by C.R.S. 14-2-106. Bring cash to be safe since some sources say Park County only takes cash.

After your license is recorded, you can order certified copies. The Park 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 per copy from their Denver office.

Order copies in person at either Park County office. You can also request them by mail. Send a note with both full names and the date of marriage. Include a check or money order 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. Only the people named on the license can get copies of the application.

To find a marriage record in Park 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. Recent records are easy to find. Older records may take longer if they are archived.

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. It is faster than mail but costs more.

Nearby Counties

If Park County is not convenient, try another county. All Colorado marriage licenses work statewide. The fee is always $30 no matter where you apply.

Summit County is north of Park County. The county seat is Breckenridge. This is a popular ski town with many wedding venues. The clerk office there requires appointments for marriage licenses. Call ahead to book your slot.

Teller County is south of Park County. The physical office is at 800 Research Drive in Woodland Park. The mailing address is in Cripple Creek. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. They close for lunch from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Walk-in business only.

Chaffee County is southwest of Park County. The county seat is Salida. The clerk office there issues marriage licenses for $30. The drive from Fairplay takes about an hour.