El Paso County Genealogy Records
El Paso County ranks as Colorado's second largest county. Over 493,000 people live here. The area blends urban and rural history. Colorado Springs serves as the county seat. The region sits at the base of Pikes Peak. This famous mountain draws visitors worldwide. Early settlers came for the gold rush. They stayed for the beautiful landscape.
Military history runs deep here. Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy call this county home. The area attracted veterans for generations. Many settled here after service. Their families stayed and grew. You can trace military lineages. Records tell these service stories. The county preserves this heritage well.
El Paso County Quick Facts
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder
The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder maintains vital records. The office follows C.R.S. 25-2-103. They issue birth, death, and marriage certificates. Staff can help with genealogy research. The main office is in Colorado Springs. Records date back to 1861. This makes them among Colorado's oldest.
The courthouse complex is downtown. It houses several government offices. The Clerk and Recorder has multiple locations. You can visit the main office. Some services are at branch locations. Call to confirm where to go. Staff can direct you properly.
| Office |
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road Colorado Springs, CO 80907 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 719-520-6202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | elpasocounty.com/clerk-and-recorder |
Where to Find Genealogy Records in El Paso County
Start at the Clerk and Recorder office. They have extensive records. Birth and death certificates are available. Marriage licenses are on file. The collection is large. Staff can search databases. Bring all details you have. This speeds up the process.
The Pikes Peak Library District is excellent. They have a special collection. The Regional History and Genealogy department helps many researchers. It is at the Penrose Library downtown. They have census records. City directories are available. Newspapers span many decades. Staff are genealogy experts.
The Colorado State Archives has older records. Visit them in Denver. They have pre-1900 documents. The search portal is online. It is free to use. Plan a research trip. The archives are comprehensive.
Online Databases and Resources
The State Archives portal is essential. Search from anywhere. The database covers all counties. Results show what is available. Some records are digitized. Others need in-person viewing. C.R.S. 24-80 governs access. Public records are available to all.
FamilySearch has extensive collections. Create a free account. El Paso County is well covered. Census records are complete. Many probate records exist. Some can be viewed at home. Others need a center visit. Colorado Springs has a Family History Center.
The Pikes Peak Library offers online tools. Cardholders can access databases. Ancestry Library Edition is available from home. This is a special service. Most libraries require in-library use. Check their website for details.
Records Available in El Paso County
El Paso County has excellent record collections. Birth certificates start from 1861. Death records began the same year. Marriage licenses are complete. Land records are extensive. The county grew quickly. Records reflect this growth.
Military records are significant here. Fort Carson created many documents. The Air Force Academy has records. Veteran files are available. These tell service stories. Families can trace military history.
- Birth records from 1861
- Death records from 1861
- Marriage licenses from 1861
- Land and property records
- Military service records
- Probate court records
Newspapers are well preserved. The Gazette served the area for decades. Older papers exist too. Obituaries are indexed. Local news covered everything. The library has microfilm. They offer digital access too.
Fees for El Paso County Records
Fees follow state guidelines. Certified copies are $20. Additional copies cost $13. Death certificates match these rates. Marriage certificates are $17. Research fees may apply. Call for current prices. Payments are accepted multiple ways.
Typical fees include:
- Certified birth certificate: $20 for first copy
- Additional copies: $13 each
- Certified death certificate: $20 for first copy
- Marriage certificate: $17
- Research services: Variable rates
Under C.R.S. 25-2-117, privacy laws protect records. Birth records are private for 100 years. Death records are private for 75 years. Only family can access these. Proof of relationship is required. The Clerk verifies identities. This protects personal information.
Nearby Counties
El Paso County borders several others. Douglas County is to the north. Elbert County lies to the east. Pueblo County is to the south. Teller County sits to the west. Fremont County is to the southwest. Check all for complete research.