Arapahoe County Marriage and Divorce Records

Getting a Marriage License in Arapahoe County

Marriage and civil-union licenses in Arapahoe County are handled by the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder. Joan Lopez serves as the elected Clerk and Recorder. The office issues licenses at three branch locations: Centennial at 6954 S Lima St, Littleton at 5334 S Prince St, and Aurora at 490 S Chambers Rd. Due to high demand, all marriage and civil-union license services are appointment only until further notice. You cannot walk in and expect same-day service without a scheduled slot.

Colorado does not require applicants to be state residents to get a license in Arapahoe County, except for proxy marriages. The license is valid for use anywhere in Colorado once issued. There is no waiting period after the license is issued. You can use it the same day you receive it. Both applicants should appear in person at the branch. If one party cannot appear because of illness, out-of-state travel, or incarceration, that person must complete a notarized absentee affidavit and provide valid ID for the absent party. Colorado does not require a blood test or fingerprints to get a marriage license. Minors under 18 must have a court order to marry; the office does not have a parental-consent process without one.

Civil unions are also processed through the Clerk and Recorder. The online application for a civil union requires creating a username and password before you can select the civil-union application type. The marriage application does not require an account. Both routes end with an in-person appointment at a branch office.

How to Apply for an Arapahoe County Marriage License

The full process runs from an online application to an in-person appointment to a ceremony and then a return of the completed license for recording. Each step has a deadline that must be met to avoid a late fee or an invalid license. Read the steps below before you begin the online form so you know what information to have on hand.

1. Complete the online application. Go to the CountyFusion application portal at countyfusion8.kofiletech.us. Fill in the required fields for both applicants, including names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers (or the SSN affidavit if one applicant lacks a number), prior marital status, and contact information. For a civil union, create an account before starting the form.
2. Schedule an appointment at a branch office. The Centennial branch is at 6954 S Lima St; Littleton is at 5334 S Prince St; Aurora is at 490 S Chambers Rd. All marriage license services are appointment only at this time. Effective January 1, 2026, all Clerk and Recorder branches open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Make your appointment before that window closes.
3. Both applicants appear in person and bring valid ID. A government-issued photo ID is required for each applicant. If one applicant cannot appear due to illness, out-of-state travel, or incarceration, bring a completed notarized absentee affidavit and a copy of that person's ID. If the absent applicant does not have a Social Security number, also bring the completed Social Security affidavit.
4. Pay the license fee at the branch. The marriage license fee is $30. The Clerk and Recorder accepts payment at the counter. Red document drop boxes outside branch offices accept check or money order only; they are not used for license applications, which require in-person processing.
5. Complete the ceremony within 35 days. Once the license is issued, both parties have 35 days to solemnize the marriage. The license may not be used after that window closes. There is no waiting period before the ceremony can take place.
6. Return the completed license for recording within 63 days. After solemnization, the officiant and both parties sign the certificate. Return it to any Arapahoe Clerk and Recorder branch or mail it to the Recording Division, 5334 S Prince St, Littleton, CO 80120. Recording must happen within 63 days of the ceremony date. A late fee applies if the completed certificate is returned after 63 days. Recording itself has no additional cost beyond the license fee.

Once recorded, the Clerk cannot reissue the original license. The office can provide certified copies and plain copies on request. If you mailed the certificate, the Clerk will mail the recorded copy back within about three weeks. If you hand-delivered it, you can receive the recorded copy at that time.

Arapahoe County Marriage License Application Fields

The online application at countyfusion8.kofiletech.us collects information for both applicants before you come in for your appointment. The table below lists the expected fields based on official Arapahoe Clerk and Recorder guidance and the Social Security affidavit PDF. Verify the live form fields when you complete the application, as the online system may update field order or add requirements.

Note: The SSN affidavit is a separate notarized PDF, not an in-form field. If one applicant has no Social Security number, download, complete, and notarize the affidavit before the appointment.

Arapahoe County Marriage License Fees and Copy Costs

Fees for marriage and civil-union licenses in Arapahoe County are set by the Clerk and Recorder. The table below lists every fee confirmed in official Arapahoe sources, including the marriage instructions PDF and the name-change checklist. Divorce filing fees are set by the Colorado Judicial Branch and should be confirmed through the court's current fee schedule before filing, as they may change.

The marriage license page says Arapahoe County marriage and civil-union services are appointment only. Branch drop-box payments are accepted by check or money order only and are used for recording services, not new license applications. For in-person license transactions, payment is made at the branch counter.

The official marriage instructions PDF also states that the Clerk mails back a recorded copy within about three weeks when the completed certificate is returned by mail. There is no express-processing fee listed in official sources for a faster return.

Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Contact

The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder office is the point of contact for all marriage and civil-union license questions, copy requests for recorded certificates, and the name-change process after marriage. The Littleton office at 5334 S Prince St is the main administrative and recording office. Recording questions typically receive a response within 24 hours according to the Clerk homepage.

Active military members and first responders with valid ID receive priority service at the four branch offices. The office also has 24-hour red document drop boxes outside each branch for recording-related submissions; drop-box payments must be by check or money order.

Who Can Perform a Marriage Ceremony in Arapahoe County

The official Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder marriage and civil-union license page outlines the full application process, appointment requirement, and branch locations available to applicants.

Colorado law allows a marriage or civil union to be solemnized by judges, retired judges, magistrates, Native American tribal officials, or clergy. The couple may also solemnize their own marriage or civil union. A friend or relative may not perform the ceremony unless they qualify under one of the listed categories. The Clerk and Recorder does not provide officiants or referrals to officiants.

For a judge-officiated ceremony, contact the 18th Judicial District Court in Centennial at 303-645-6600, 7325 S. Potomac St., or the Arapahoe County Court in Littleton at 303-798-4591, 1790 W. Littleton Blvd. The court's wedding information PDF for the 18th Judicial District provides scheduling details for judge-performed weddings. Magistrates in the 18th Judicial District can also officiate; contact the court for current availability.

A notarized absentee affidavit is required when one party cannot attend the appointment. Bring valid ID for the absent party. If the absent party does not have a Social Security number, also bring the completed, notarized SSN affidavit.

Note: Colorado does not recognize common-law marriages created on or after September 1, 2006, without a signed written agreement. This does not affect the license application process.

Marriage License Instructions and Timing Rules

The official Arapahoe County marriage license instructions PDF details the 35-day use period, 63-day recording deadline, late fee, and copy fees that apply to every marriage and civil-union license issued.

The marriage instructions PDF includes key deadlines that every couple must follow. The license is issued the same day the application is completed in person. It may be used immediately. Once issued, the couple has exactly 35 days to hold the ceremony. If the ceremony does not happen within 35 days, the license is no longer valid and a new application is required.

After the ceremony, the completed and signed certificate must be returned to the Clerk and Recorder for recording within 63 days of the ceremony date. The 63-day clock starts on the date of solemnization, not the date of issuance. Returning it after that window triggers a $20 late fee. There is no fee for the recording itself when the certificate is returned on time.

Once the Clerk records the certificate, it cannot reissue the original. Only certified copies and plain copies are available after that point. A certified copy costs $1.25 and a plain copy is $0.25. For copies, contact the recording office at recording@arapahoegov.com or call 303-795-4520.

How to Look Up Arapahoe County Marriage Records

The CountyFusion/Kofile application portal is where applicants begin the online portion of the Arapahoe County marriage and civil-union license process before their in-person appointment.

Recorded marriage and civil-union licenses from February 1, 1996 to the present are searchable through the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder legal document search at arapahoe.co.publicsearch.us. This is a free public search tool. You do not need to register to run a basic search. The portal was verified through May 15, 2026 at the time of research.

The search portal uses a Quick Search tab and an Advanced Search tab. The Quick Search accepts a grantor/grantee name, subdivision, document type, or document number in a single text field. You can also filter by recorded date using preset ranges (last 24 hours, last week, last month, and so on) or by entering a custom date range. Set the Department field to the relevant record type. The search scope radio button lets you choose between Index Only (each word searched individually) or Index and Full Text OCR (multiple words searched as a phrase). For marriage records, searching by the surnames of either spouse works well when you have a general date range.

For records older than February 1996, you must make an appointment to visit the Littleton office at 5334 S Prince St to search older indexes in person. Call 303-795-4520 or email recording@arapahoegov.com to set up an appointment.

How to Find Arapahoe County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Arapahoe County are court records, not Clerk and Recorder records. A divorce, or dissolution of marriage, is filed in the Arapahoe County District Court as part of the 18th Judicial District. The Clerk and Recorder does not hold divorce decrees, settlement agreements, parenting plans, or other dissolution documents. Do not contact the Clerk and Recorder for divorce records.

To get a certified copy of a divorce decree, use the Arapahoe Court records request process. Email 18records@judicial.state.co.us with the case number, names of the parties, and the type of document needed. You can also mail a request to Arapahoe Court, Attn: Records Requests, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112. Phone: 303-645-3814. The court's Records Team states it responds to all requests within three business days.

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. Either spouse may file for dissolution without proving fault or misconduct. The filing spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before filing. The case is handled in the District Court where either spouse resides. Arapahoe District Court hears all dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and allocation of parental responsibilities cases for residents of Arapahoe County.

A typical divorce file at Arapahoe District Court may include the petition for dissolution, financial disclosures, proposed or agreed parenting plan, child support worksheets, separation agreement, court orders, and the final decree. Some financial documents, addresses for protected parties, and child-related details may be restricted or redacted in the public file. If mediation was ordered, the mediator's report may also be in the file. Family Court Facilitator Karla Carrigan (303-645-6853) provides self-help assistance for unrepresented parties handling divorce filings at the court.

For docket schedules and hearing dates in a divorce case, use the free Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. Select the 18th Judicial District and/or Arapahoe County, then add a party name, case number, or attorney as a filter. The docket search shows scheduled matters, not the actual case documents.

Getting Certified Copies of Marriage and Divorce Records

Certified copies are official reproductions that carry the clerk's seal and signature. They are required for legal proceedings, name changes, passport applications, and many government transactions. A plain copy is generally sufficient for personal reference but will not be accepted in court or by federal agencies. Know which you need before you request it.

For a certified copy of a recorded marriage or civil-union certificate, contact the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder at 303-795-4520 or recording@arapahoegov.com. The fee is $1.25. A plain copy is $0.25. The Clerk cannot reissue the original license once it has been recorded. Only copies of the recorded version are available.

For a certified copy of a divorce decree or other court order, submit a records request to Arapahoe District Court. Email 18records@judicial.state.co.us or mail the request to Arapahoe Court, Attn: Records Requests, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112. Certified court copies carry a court seal. The fees for certified court copies should be confirmed directly with the court, as they are set by the Colorado Judicial Branch and may be updated. The records phone is 303-645-3814.

Colorado vital statistics does not maintain a separate statewide marriage index that predates the county recording system. The county Clerk and Recorder is the primary source for recorded marriage certificates. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains death, birth, and some marriage records for vital statistics purposes; contact that office at cdphe.colorado.gov for information on statewide vital records availability and fees separate from the county recording system.

For court record copies beyond marriage and divorce, including criminal dispositions, probate orders, or civil judgments, the same Arapahoe Court records request email and address apply. The three-business-day response time also applies to those requests.

Name Change After Marriage or Civil Union

The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder name-change checklist walks through each agency and document that needs updating after a name change from marriage or civil union, including Social Security, DMV, passport, financial accounts, and more.

After the marriage or civil-union certificate is recorded, either party may begin the name-change process using the recorded certificate as proof. A certified copy at $1.25 is usually needed for each agency that requires official documentation. The Arapahoe Clerk and Recorder provides a name-change checklist PDF at files.arapahoeco.gov that walks through every step.

Key agencies that typically need to be notified include the Social Security Administration (do this first, before changing a driver's license), Colorado DMV for a driver's license or state ID, the U.S. State Department for a passport, financial institutions, employers, voter registration, and the IRS. Each agency has its own form and proof requirements. The Social Security Administration requires an in-person or mail submission. The Colorado DMV requires the original or certified copy of the marriage certificate plus current identification. Update Social Security first so that your Social Security record matches your new driver's license name before you apply for a passport.

A certified copy of the recorded certificate is all that is needed for a name change through most agencies. The recording must be complete before copies are available, so wait until you receive the recorded copy from the Clerk before attempting to update ID documents.

Civil Unions in Arapahoe County

Colorado recognizes civil unions under state law, and the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder processes civil-union licenses alongside marriage licenses. The process is nearly identical. Both applicants must appear in person, the appointment-only requirement applies, and the fees are the same as for a marriage license. The one difference is that the online application for a civil union requires the applicant to create a username and password before selecting the civil-union application type. Once that step is done, the rest of the process mirrors the marriage license workflow.

Civil-union certificates are recorded and searchable through the same Clerk and Recorder document search portal as marriage licenses. If a civil union is later dissolved, the dissolution is handled in Arapahoe District Court the same way as a divorce. Contact the court records team for dissolution-of-civil-union decrees at 18records@judicial.state.co.us or 303-645-3814.

Premarital Education and Mediation Resources

Colorado does not require premarital education to get a marriage license. No waiting period or counseling certificate is needed. The Arapahoe Clerk and Recorder does not ask about premarital classes during the application process.

For couples who want to avoid contested divorce proceedings, Arapahoe District Court provides access to the Office of Dispute Resolution and mediation resources. The court links to mediation and family court services from its self-help page. Family Court Facilitator Karla Carrigan is available at 303-645-6853 and provides guidance to unrepresented parties working through family law matters at the Arapahoe courts. Parenting class providers are also listed on the official Arapahoe court page for parties in custody or parenting disputes.

Child support in Colorado divorce cases follows statutory guidelines under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, which sets out the income-shares model. The court calculates child support based on both parties' incomes, custody time, and other required factors. The Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms library at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms includes current family law forms, worksheets, and instructions for dissolution, parenting, child support, and related matters.

Colorado Vital Records and State-Level Marriage Data

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) maintains vital records for the state, including birth, death, and certain marriage and divorce statistics. CDPHE vital records are separate from the county Clerk and Recorder's recorded documents. The CDPHE does not hold certified copies of marriage certificates for all years; the county Clerk and Recorder where the license was issued and recorded is the primary source for certified copies of a Colorado marriage certificate.

For recorded Arapahoe County marriage and civil-union certificates, always contact the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder first. CDPHE is the better option when you need statewide vital statistics, death certificates, birth certificates, or when the county of the marriage is unknown and you want to search statewide records. Contact CDPHE directly to confirm current fees, document availability, and access procedures for vital records requests.

Related Arapahoe County Records

Marriage and divorce records connect to several other record types in Arapahoe County. After a death, a surviving spouse's estate is typically handled through the Arapahoe County probate records process in District Court. Property transfers after a name change or divorce may appear in the Clerk and Recorder's recorded-document system alongside marriage records.

For general county record requests and the Colorado Open Records Act framework, see the Arapahoe County public records page. The Clerk of Court page covers the Arapahoe Court records team, case-level requests, and the difference between the elected Clerk and Recorder and the court's Clerk of Court. For all other case types filed in Arapahoe District Court or County Court, see the court records page. If a divorce case overlaps with a criminal matter, the District Court page covers how the 18th Judicial District handles both family and criminal cases.