Vital records in Colorado

Official office: Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Vital Records

Types of certificates available

Certified Birth Certificate

For:

  • Immigration cases (USCIS petitions, naturalization)
  • US passport
  • Social Security card
  • Driver’s license + DMV
  • School enrollment
  • Employment (I-9 verification)
  • Federal/state benefits

Certified Marriage Certificate

For:

  • Name change
  • I-130 petitions (spouse petition)
  • Social Security benefits
  • Taxes (filing status)
  • Fiancé(e) visa follow-up

Colorado does not issue marriage certificates from the state vital-records office. This is the single most common wrong turn: CDPHE handles birth and death records, but for marriage records it directs you to the County Clerk and Recorder in the county that issued the marriage license — not the county where you live now, and not the state.

  • Marriage certificate → the issuing County Clerk and Recorder. Colorado’s Clerk and Recorder is also the county election official, so the Secretary of State’s county clerk directory is the current address-and-phone list for all 64 counties.
  • Divorce, separation or annulment record → the district court clerk that granted it, via the Colorado Judicial Branch county court directory — not CDPHE either.
  • Birth and death certificates → CDPHE Vital Records or a county vital-records office (cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords).

For an I-130 spousal petition, USCIS wants a certified copy bearing the county’s seal. Order extra copies at the same time — a second certified copy ordered later costs another search fee, and county fees vary, so confirm the amount with the issuing clerk before mailing payment.

Certified Death Certificate

For:

  • Closing estate
  • Collecting life insurance benefits
  • I-360 self-petition (widowed USC)
  • Social Security widow benefits

How to request in Colorado

Option 1: Online

Most states use vendors like VitalChek (vitalchek.com) or state’s Vital Records portal.

  • Credit card required
  • Photo ID required
  • Expedited payment (+$30-$60)
  • FedEx delivery in 3-5 days

Option 2: By mail

  • PDF form from state site
  • Money order or check (NOT cash)
  • Notarized copy of ID
  • 3-6 weeks processing

Option 3: In person

  • Visit Vital Records office of state or county
  • Same day in some cases
  • Bring original ID
  • Pay cash, check, or card

Costs in Colorado

Generally:

  • Certified certificate: $15-$30
  • Additional copies: $5-$15 each
  • Expedited: +$30-$60
  • FedEx shipping: +$20-$25

What to bring when requesting

  1. Photo ID: passport, state ID, driver’s license
  2. Relationship to holder: if requesting someone else’s
  3. Reason: USCIS frequently accepts without specific reason
  4. Payment: card or money order

For immigrants specifically

Your US-born child

If you have a US-born child, the child is automatic US citizen. Their certificate is:

  • Needed for child’s passport
  • Needed for Social Security
  • Useful for I-130 (if petitioning undocumented parent in future)
  • Useful for FAFSA and college scholarships

Without parent status

Parents without immigration status CAN request birth certificate of their USC child. The state issues to whoever appears as parent on original document.

Last verified: 2026-07-10.

General procedures — verify specific steps on official state site before requesting.

Last verified: 2026-07-10.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.