Access Policy
The Archives of the Archdiocese of Denver is a private entity, whose first obligation is to the Archbishop and the Pastoral Center. Many records will have access restrictions imposed by Canon Law and, unlike governmental records, are not subject to the "Freedom of Information Act."

Sacramental Records
The office has sacramental records for the Archdiocese of Denver, The Diocese of Pueblo from 1935-1942 and for the Diocese of Colorado Springs until 1984. It also maintains the Sacramental Registers for St. Patrick's church in Denver and for Mercy Hospital.

Obtaining records from the office
Sacramental records are considered private records that were created under circumstances that are presumed personal and confidential. However, they will stand up under federal law as valid, authentic evidence when an appropriate civil record does not exist.  Access to these records is restricted; only the individual for whom the record(s) was/were created has the right to obtain information contained in them. The sacramental records are kept at the parishes in which the sacrament was performed and a copy is located in the Archives Office.

To obtain a certified copy of your sacramental record, please contact the parish in which the sacrament was performed. If the parish has been closed, then please contact the Archives.  If you are unsure as to the parish in which the sacrament was performed, the archivist will perform a search after the following information has been provided:

1. A written request from the individual whose information is contained in the sacramental record specifying the reason the record is needed. Telephone requests are accepted for those individuals needing baptismal information for marriage or confirmation.
2.  A copy of a picture ID from the individual making the request or a notarized copy of a birth certificate. 
3. The name of the Church where the sacrament took place or approximate location.  (NOTE: Please check census or telephone books or city directories before making your request.)
4. The approximate date when the sacrament took place
5. The surname of the individual's father and the maiden or surname of the individual's mother
6. The birth date of the individual
7. Type of sacrament: baptismal, confirmation, marriage or death

Information in sacramental records made before 1930 are open to genealogists. To access these records is a privilege, accorded by the Archdiocese of Denver and is not a right. Therefore, an appointment must be made with the Archivist.  Prospective historical researchers and genealogists will need to fill out an Application for Use of Archives Form (PDF) before being granted an appointment.

If you are unable to come to the Archives Office, please fill out the Geneological Request Form (PDF) and the archivist will be happy to perform the search for you. However, they may ask for any of the following additional information:

1. Name of person in the record
2. Surname of father and surname or maiden name of mother
3. Birth date of the person in the record
4. Approximate date when sacrament took place
5. Name of parish where sacrament was performed or approximate location. (NOTE: Please check census records, telephone books, or city directories before making your request.)

The archivist will supervise the researcher at all times. No general permission for unsupervised examination or copy of archival materials will be given.  Only the archivist may search the original records for the particular manuscript or information requested. Archival material will not be duplicated in any form without written permission from the Chancellor. Examination of personal Episcopal correspondence requires written permission from the Archbishop of Denver.

Admission to the Archives Office is at the discretion of the archivist.  The archivist reserves the right to deny access to collections under certain conditions, including but not limited to:

• Condition of collection
• Legal issues including canon law, privacy and copyright
• Irreplaceability of the material
• Unprocessed state of the collection
• Donor restrictions
• Availability of material elsewhere

Cost of records search
If the search takes longer than 30 minutes, then a $20 per hour charge will be applied whether information is found or not.  Payment will need to be made to the Archdiocese of Denver before the search will continue.  Searches will be made as quickly as possible but can take up to 4 weeks, please be aware searches may not always be successful.  In the cases of adoption, neither the Archives Office nor the parishes can reveal the names of the biological parents.