Jefferson County, Colorado Genealogy

Guide to Jefferson County, Colorado ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

United StatesColoradoJefferson County

County Courthouse
County Clerk has marriage records from 1868 and land records from 1860; County Health Department has birth, death and burial records; Clerk District Court has divorce records County Court has probate and court records

Jefferson County, commonly referred to as the Gateway to the Rockies, is the fourth most populated county in Colorado. The county runs along the west side of the Denver Metro area along the front range. The county website can be found at http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/.

County Seat
Golden  Jefferson County Vital Records 800 Jefferson County Parkway Golden, CO 80419 303-271-6450 Fax 303-271-6451 Jefferson County Clerk/Recorder 100 Jefferson County Pkwy. Suite 2560 Admin and Courts Facility Golden, CO 80419 countyclerk@jeffco.us 303-271-8121

Parent County
1861--Jefferson County was created 1 November 1861 as an original county.

Neighboring Counties

 * Adams
 * Arapahoe
 * Boulder
 * Broomfield
 * Clear Creek
 * Denver
 * Douglas
 * Gilpin
 * Park
 * Teller

Historical Facts
An excellent chronological history is found in the archives section of the county website

Vital Records
See also the Colorado Vital Records.

Birth
Birth records may become public records when 100 years have elapsed after the date of birth. EXCEPTION: The birth record of any individual who is known to be currently alive will remain confidential even if they are 100 years of age or greater.

For in-state births from 1903 to present, certificates can be obtained from Jefferson County Vital Statistics office. For birth certificates before 1903 contact the county where the birth occurred or the State Health Department at (303) 756-4464.

If you are obtaining a birth certificate for a sibling, parent, grandparent, etc., you will need to show chain of relationship. Examples are: A sibling could provide their birth certificate to show same parents. If you are trying to get a grandparent's birth certificate you will need to show your birth certificate, plus your parent's birth certificate to show chain of relationship. If you have questions on this please call our office at 303-271-6450.

Marriage
The Jefferson County Recorder's office will search their indexes if you call or come in to the office. If a record is found, a copy can be purchased in person or by mail. Call 303-271-8121.
 * 1853 - 2006 at FamilySearch.org — index/images
 * 1900 - 1939 Colorado, Statewide Marriage Index, 1900-1939 at Ancestry.com — index $
 * 1859 - 1900 Colorado Marriages, 1859-1900 at Ancestry.com — index $

Death
Death records may become public records when 75 years have elapsed after the date of death.

Certificates can be obtained from the Jefferson County Vital Statistics office.To obtain a recent death certificate, you must show a direct and tangible interest to the deceased. Relatives include wife, mother, father, child (if they are listed on the death certificate). If they are not listed on the death certificate they must show proof of relationship. This would include maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, siblings if they can prove chain of relationship. If you have questions on this please call our office at 303-271-6450.

Divorce
All divorces and divorce records are handled by the Jefferson County Combined Courts, Colorado Judicial District 1. Please contact their office directly at 303-271-6145 or Fax: 303-271-6188.

Jefferson County Combined Courts 100 Jefferson County Parkway Golden CO 80401

Cemeteries

 * Arvada Cemetery 5581 Independence Street Arvada, CO 80002-2973 (303) 422-5424


 * Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge BillionGraves


 * Evergreen Memorial Park 26624 N. Turkey Creek Rd. Evergreen, Colorado 80439 303.674.7750


 * Golden Cemetery 755 Ulysses St. Golden, CO 80401 Mailing Address: Golden Cemetery 755 Ulysses St. Golden, CO 80401 (303) 279-1435


 * Golden Hill Cemetery (Jewish) 12000 West Colfax Avenue Lakewood, CO 80215-3717 (303) 237-0573


 * Mount Olivet Cemetery 12801 W. 44th Avenue Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 303-424-7785


 * Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary &amp; Cemetery 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-233-4611


 * Olinger Mt Lindo Cemetery 5928 South Turkey Creek Road Morrison, CO 80465-9501 (303) 697-2011

Census
Census Year    Population 1870                 2,390 1880                 6,804 1890                 8,450 1900                 9,360

1910               14,231

1920               14,400

1930                21,810

1940               30,725

1950               55,687

1960             127,520

1970             235,368

1980             371,753

1990             438,430

2000             527,156

Source: Jefferson County Archives

Archives
Jefferson County Coroner Reports 1868 - 1930 Jefferson County Inheritance Tax 1913 - 1945 Jefferson County Civil Cases 1864 - 1886 Jefferson County Probates 1862 - 1977

Family History Centers

 * Arvada Colorado Family History Center
 * Columbine Colorado Family History Center (Littleton)
 * Golden Colorado Family History Center
 * Lakewood Colorado Family History Center

Libraries
Jefferson County Public Library 10200 W 20th Ave Lakewood, CO 80215 Phone: (303) 235-5275 Website jefferson.lib.co.us/

Societies

 * Jefferson County Historical Societies For a listing of currently known Historical Societies in the County see website http://jeffco.us/planning/planning_T59_R54.htm


 * Foothills Genealogical Society of Colorado, Inc. P.O. Box 150382 Lakewood, CO 80215-0382 Telephone: 303-935-9192 http://www.foothillsgenealogy.org


 * Golden Landmarks Association 14th &amp; Washington St. P.O. Box 1136 Golden, Colorado 80402-1136 Telephone: 303-279-1236 Website http://www.goldenlandmarks.com/

Taxation
Colorado State Archives has put the Jefferson County Inheritance Tax Records Index for 1913-1945 on-line

Web Sites

 * Jefferson County, Colorado Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Jefferson County, Colorado Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)