Montezuma County Genealogy Records

Montezuma County offers many resources for family history research. The county was created in 1889. The county seat is Cortez. Records here can help you trace your ancestors. The County Clerk and Recorder maintains marriage and land records. You can also find help at the Colorado State Archives. Montezuma County follows Colorado laws on vital records. C.R.S. 25-2-117 keeps recent birth and death records private. Older records may be open to the public.

Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder office is your first stop for many genealogy records in Montezuma County. They keep marriage licenses and land records. These can help you find family connections. The office also holds military discharge records. Staff can help you search their indexes. Call before you visit to check hours and fees.

Marriage records in Montezuma County often go back many decades. Most counties keep these from the late 1800s or early 1900s. Land records can show property owned by your ancestors. These records often list family members and transfer details. The Clerk and Recorder follows state rules under C.R.S. 24-80 for records management.

Colorado State Archives Holdings for Montezuma County

The Colorado State Archives holds historical records for Montezuma County. These include documents that predate state registration. The archives are in Denver at 1313 Sherman St. You can search their database online before you visit. C.R.S. 24-80 guides how these records are kept. Some records are on microfilm. Others are original documents.

The State Archives has the following for Montezuma County: County archival records. These can be valuable for early genealogy research. Births before 1908 are often found here. Deaths before 1900 may also be available. The Archives Search database lets you check online first. Call 303-866-2358 for help with your search.

You will need an appointment to visit. Walk-ins are not accepted. The research room is open Tuesday through Friday. Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM Mountain Time. Note that Monday visits are not available. Bring specific names and dates when you can. Broad searches take more time.

Birth Records in Montezuma County

Colorado did not register births statewide until 1908. Montezuma County may have some earlier records. These are often at the Colorado State Archives. Birth certificates after 1908 are held by CDPHE Vital Records. C.R.S. 25-2-117 makes birth records confidential. Only certain people can get copies of recent records.

Birth records over 100 years old are easier to access. You can search the Archives Search database for these. Some counties have birth ledgers from the late 1800s. Montezuma County records may include these. Check the State Archives holdings listed above. They will show what years are available.

To get a certified birth certificate, contact CDPHE. Their address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Call them at 303-692-2200. You can also order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. GoCertificates at gocertificates.com is another option. Fees are $25 for the first copy as of January 2026.

Death Records in Montezuma County

Death registration in Colorado began in 1900. Montezuma County may have earlier burial or cemetery records. The State Archives holds many pre-1900 death records. They also have burial permits and coroner records. These can help you find when an ancestor died. They may also list cause of death and next of kin.

The Archives Search database includes some death records. Check there first for Montezuma County deaths. Records from 1900 to present are at CDPHE Vital Records. You will need to prove your relationship to get a copy. C.R.S. 25-2-103 created the state registration system. This law ensures death records are kept properly.

Death certificates cost $25 for the first copy. Additional copies are $20 each. Order from CDPHE by mail or online. Allow 30 business days for processing. Rush orders cost more. Visit cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords for forms and details.

Marriage Records in Montezuma County

Marriage records are kept by the County Clerk and Recorder in Montezuma County. These records are often open to the public. Most counties have marriages from their founding date. Montezuma County marriage records can help you find spouse names. They also show the date and place of marriage. Sometimes they list parents or witnesses.

The State Archives has a statewide marriage index. It covers 1890 to 1939. You can search this online. Not all records in the index are at the archives. Some may still be at the county. For marriages after 1960, contact the county directly. The State Archives likely does not have these.

FamilySearch also has Colorado marriage records. Visit familysearch.org to search. This is a free service. You can find many Montezuma County marriages there. The site includes images of original records. You may need to create a free account.

Divorce Records in Montezuma County

Divorce records are court records in Colorado. They are kept by the District Court for Montezuma County. The State Archives has some older divorce cases. Check their holdings list above. Divorce records less than 100 years old have access limits. Only the parties can see the full file. The public can view the decree only.

C.R.S. 25-2-117 covers the privacy of these records. To get a copy of a divorce decree, contact the court clerk. You will need the case number if possible. Give the names of both parties and the approximate year. Fees vary by court. Some courts have online search tools.

How to Search Montezuma County Genealogy Records

Start your search with specific information. Know the full name of your ancestor. Have an approximate date range. Know the location within Montezuma County if you can. Start with the Archives Search database. It is free to use. You can search by name and record type.

Follow these steps for the best results:

• Search the Archives Search database first
• Contact the Montezuma County Clerk for marriage and land records
• Check FamilySearch for digitized records
• Visit the State Archives by appointment if needed
• Try Colorado Historic Newspapers for obituaries

Keep notes on what you find. Record where each fact came from. This saves time later. It also helps you prove your family history.

State Resources for Montezuma County Research

Several state agencies can help with Montezuma County genealogy. The Colorado State Archives is the main place for historical records. They hold documents from county courts and state agencies. Their website has research guides. These can help you learn how to use their collections.

The CDPHE Vital Records office has birth and death certificates from 1908 and 1900 onward. They are at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Call 303-692-2200. Their website is cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords.

Other helpful resources include:

• FamilySearch: familysearch.org - Free genealogy records
• VitalChek: vitalchek.com - Online certificate ordering
• Colorado Historic Newspapers: coloradohistoricnewspapers.org
• History Colorado: historycolorado.org

Nearby Counties

If you cannot find records in Montezuma County, try these nearby counties. Your ancestors may have lived or married there. County boundaries changed over time. Records from the same family may be in different counties.