Costilla County Genealogy Records
Costilla County holds a special place in Colorado history. It was the first area settled by Europeans in Colorado. The town of San Luis is the oldest in the state. It was founded in 1851. Spanish settlers came here first. They established communities along the rivers. The records here go back further than any other county. They tell of early Hispanic settlement. This makes the county unique for researchers.
Costilla County Quick Facts
Costilla County Clerk and Recorder
The Costilla County Clerk and Recorder keeps the oldest records in Colorado. Their office is in San Luis. They have documents from the early 1800s. This includes land grants. It includes marriage records too. The staff knows the history. They understand the Spanish heritage.
The county is rural. The office is small. Personal service is excellent. Call before you visit. Staff can help you search. They know the records well.
| Address |
400 Gasper St. San Luis, CO 81152 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 719-672-3681 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | costillacounty.org |
Where to Find Genealogy Records in Costilla County
The Clerk and Recorder has unique records. Land grants go back to the 1840s. These were Mexican grants. They predate Colorado statehood. The county has marriage records from 1861.
Birth and death records are at the state level. C.R.S. 25-2-103 governs these. The Colorado State Archives has older ones. They work under C.R.S. 24-80.
Places to search:
- Costilla County Clerk and Recorder
- Colorado State Archives in Denver
- CDPHE Vital Records
- San Luis Valley Historical Society
- Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection
Online Databases and Resources
Online research helps. The state offers databases. FamilySearch has records too. You can search from home.
Key resources:
- Colorado State Archives - State records
- Archives Search - Find documents
- FamilySearch - Free genealogy
- CDPHE - Vital records
- VitalChek - Online ordering
Records Available in Costilla County
Many records exist. Mexican land grants are unique. They show early settlement. Marriage records prove unions. Probate records list heirs. Court records may help.
Vital records have rules. C.R.S. 25-2-117 protects birth records for 100 years. Death records close for 75 years. Then they open. Marriages and land records are public.
Fees for Records in Costilla County
Copies cost money. The county charges fees. The state does too. Budget for your research.
CDPHE sets standard fees. Birth certificates are $20. Death certificates cost $13. County fees vary. Call to confirm.
Common fees:
- Birth certificate: $20.00
- Death certificate: $13.00
- Marriage copy: Varies
- Land record: $1.00 per page
Nearby Counties for Research
Ancestors may have lived nearby. Check these counties.