Aurora Divorce Decree Search
Aurora divorce decree records are filed at either the Arapahoe County Combined Courts or the Adams County Combined Courts, depending on where the parties live within the city. Aurora spans two counties and two judicial districts. Most of Aurora is in Arapahoe County in the 18th Judicial District. The northern part of Aurora is in Adams County in the 17th Judicial District. When you file for divorce in Aurora, you must determine which county has jurisdiction based on your home address. Each county maintains its own divorce decrees. You cannot get an Aurora divorce decree from a single office since the city crosses county lines.
Aurora Quick Facts
Which County Handles Your Aurora Divorce
Aurora is split between Arapahoe County and Adams County. Most of the city is in Arapahoe County. A smaller section on the north side is in Adams County. If you live in Aurora and want to file for divorce, you need to know which county you live in. Your home address determines which court has jurisdiction over your case.
You can check which county you are in by looking at your voter registration card, property tax bill, or driver license. The county name appears on these documents. If you are still not sure, you can call the Arapahoe County clerk at (303) 645-6814 or the Adams County clerk at (303) 654-6000 to ask. They can tell you which county serves your address in Aurora.
For most Aurora residents, Arapahoe County is the correct court. The Arapahoe County courthouse has two locations. The main court is the Arapahoe County Justice Center at 7325 S. Potomac Street in Centennial. There is also an older courthouse in Littleton at 1790 W. Littleton Boulevard. Both are part of the 18th Judicial District. Divorce cases are typically filed at the Justice Center in Centennial, which is close to Aurora.
If you live in the Adams County part of Aurora, you file at the Adams County Justice Center at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. This is in the 17th Judicial District. The courthouse is about 20 miles north of central Aurora. All divorce decrees for Adams County residents are kept at this courthouse.
Arapahoe County Court for Aurora Residents
Most Aurora residents file for divorce at the Arapahoe County Combined Courts. The main courthouse is the Arapahoe County Justice Center in Centennial. This is close to Aurora and serves most of the city. The clerk office handles all records requests for divorce decrees and other court documents.
| Court | Arapahoe County Combined Courts (18th Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, CO 80112 |
| Phone | (303) 645-6814 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| 18records@judicial.state.co.us | |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/arapahoe-county |
Arapahoe County offers self-represented e-filing for divorce cases. This service became available in October 2019 and lets you file papers online without a lawyer. You can submit your divorce petition and other documents through the e-filing portal. Visit the court website for more information on e-filing in Arapahoe County.
For divorce cases from 1992 to 2008, Arapahoe County transferred case files to the Colorado State Archives. If your Aurora divorce was filed during this time and you lived in the Arapahoe County part of the city, the decree may be at the Archives instead of the courthouse. Contact the Archives at (303) 645-6814 to see if they have your case. For all other years, contact the Arapahoe County clerk in Centennial.
Adams County Court for Aurora Residents
Aurora residents in Adams County file for divorce at the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton. This courthouse is part of the 17th Judicial District and serves all of Adams County. The clerk office processes records requests and provides copies of divorce decrees.
| Court | Adams County Combined Courts (17th Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601 |
| Phone | (303) 654-6000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/adams-county |
The Colorado State Archives holds Adams County divorce records from 1904 to 1992. If your Aurora divorce was filed in Adams County during this time, the decree may be at the Archives. You can search for cases at archives.colorado.gov/archives-search. For cases from 1992 to the present, contact the Adams County clerk in Brighton.
Search Aurora Divorce Records Online
CoCourts.com is the best way to search for divorce records in Aurora. This database covers both Arapahoe County and Adams County. You can search by name or case number to find a dissolution of marriage case. Searches cost $10 or less and return the Register of Action showing case history.
The Register of Action does not include actual documents. You see dates and filings but not the decree itself. To get a copy of the divorce decree, you must contact the county court where the case was filed. CoCourts.com helps you identify which county has your case so you know where to send your records request.
Visit cocourts.com to start searching. Enter a name and select Arapahoe County or Adams County. If you are not sure which county, try both. The search results will show you where the case was filed in Aurora. You can then use the contact information above to request a copy of the divorce decree from the correct courthouse.
You can also submit an online records request through the Colorado Judicial Branch at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. Select the county and case type, then provide names or a case number. The court will contact you with fee information and processing time. Most requests are processed within three business days.
How to File for Divorce in Aurora
Aurora residents must meet the residency requirement under C.R.S. § 14-10-106 before filing for divorce. Either spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before filing the petition. You do not have to live in Aurora the whole time. Living anywhere in the state for 91 days is enough.
You file in the county where you live. If you live in the Arapahoe County part of Aurora, you file in Arapahoe County. If you live in the Adams County part, you file in Adams County. If you and your spouse live in different parts of Aurora, you can file in either county. Most people file where they currently live.
The filing fee for a divorce petition is $230 statewide. This includes the displaced homemaker fee required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120.5. A response to a petition costs $116. These fees apply in both Arapahoe County and Adams County. You pay when you file the papers at the clerk office.
Colorado is a no-fault state. The court only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken. After filing, there is a mandatory 91-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. This waiting period is required by C.R.S. § 14-10-106 and applies to all Colorado divorces, including those in Aurora.
Divorce Forms for Aurora Cases
All Colorado divorce forms are available at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms at no cost. These are the same forms used statewide. Aurora residents use the same forms whether they file in Arapahoe County or Adams County.
The main forms needed to file for divorce in Aurora are:
- JDF 1010: How to File for Divorce
- JDF 1011: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- JDF 1102: Summons for Dissolution of Marriage
- JDF 1015: Response to Petition
- JDF 1019: Final Decree
If both spouses agree on all terms, you can file for a decree without appearing in court using JDF 1018 (Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance). This is common in uncontested cases where there are no minor children or where both parties have lawyers and a written agreement.
Divorce Decree Copy Fees in Aurora
Copy fees for divorce decrees follow the state fee schedule. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document. These fees apply in both Arapahoe County and Adams County. Call the clerk office in the county where your case was filed to confirm current fees before you order copies.
Other fees that may apply include:
- Name search fee: $5.00
- Transcript of judgment: $25.00
- Research and redaction: $30 per hour after the first hour
These extra fees apply when the clerk must research files or redact confidential information from copies. Most simple requests for a divorce decree do not require these fees. If you know the case number and just need a copy of the final decree, you only pay the copy or certification fee.
Legal Help for Aurora Residents
Colorado Legal Services has offices that serve both Arapahoe County and Adams County. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They assist with divorce, custody, and support cases for low-income residents in Aurora. Call (303) 837-1313 to see if you qualify or visit coloradolegalservices.org for more information.
The Metro Volunteer Lawyers program offers free legal clinics in the Denver metro area, including Aurora. Volunteer lawyers answer questions about divorce and family law at no charge. Check their website at denbar.org/mvl for clinic times and locations in Aurora.
You can also call the Colorado Bar Association lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660 for help finding a family law attorney in Aurora. The referral service connects you with local lawyers who handle divorce cases in both Arapahoe County and Adams County.
Note: Self-help centers are available at both the Arapahoe County courthouse in Centennial and the Adams County courthouse in Brighton.
Divorce Verification vs Decree Copies
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment can verify that a divorce occurred but does not provide copies of divorce decrees. Verification shows basic facts like names, date, and county. The decree shows all terms including custody, property division, and support.
If you need the full divorce decree from an Aurora case, contact the county clerk office where the case was filed. If you only need verification, you can order it from CDPHE at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords or through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Most legal matters require the actual decree, not just verification.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Several other cities near Aurora also span multiple counties or are in the same judicial districts. Centennial is in Arapahoe County and uses the same courthouse as most Aurora residents. Thornton is in Adams County like the northern part of Aurora. Denver is to the west in Denver County. Lakewood and Arvada are in Jefferson County to the northwest.
Related city pages:
County Divorce Records for Aurora
Aurora spans Arapahoe County and Adams County. Divorce cases are filed in one county or the other depending on where the parties live. For more on each county's court procedures, fees, and historical records, visit the county divorce records pages below.