Commerce City Divorce Decrees
Commerce City divorce decree records are filed at Adams County Combined Court in the 17th Judicial District. Residents of Commerce City who need to file for divorce or obtain copies of existing decree records handle that through the Adams County court system. The courthouse is in Brighton, which is the county seat. All divorce cases from Commerce City go there and the records are public.
Commerce City Quick Facts
Adams County Court for Commerce City
Commerce City is in Adams County. All divorce filings for Commerce City residents go to Adams County Combined Court in Brighton. The court handles district court matters including dissolution of marriage. Brighton is about 15 miles north of Commerce City. The courthouse is at 1100 Judicial Center Drive.
The 17th Judicial District includes Adams County and Broomfield County. The court has a combined structure that handles both district and county court cases. District court deals with divorce and other family law matters. County court handles smaller civil cases and traffic matters.
| Court | Adams County Combined Court (17th Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 Judicial Center Dr Brighton, CO 80601 |
| Phone | (303) 654-3211 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/adams-county |
The clerk's office is on the first floor. Staff can help with filing new cases and getting copies of old divorce decree records. They answer general questions but cannot give legal advice. Security screening is required at the entrance so plan extra time when you visit.
Searching for Divorce Decrees
You can search for divorce decree records from Commerce City online or in person. The online method uses the Colorado Judicial Branch records request system. Go to coloradojudicial.gov and fill out the form. You pick Adams County from the list and provide case details. The clerk responds within three business days with info on what records are available and how to pay for them.
Another online option is CoCourts.com. This third-party site has records from Adams County and most other Colorado counties. Searches cost $10 or less. You can look up cases by name or case number. CoCourts gives you the Register of Action, which lists all the filings and court dates. It does not include the actual documents. To get the divorce decree itself, you still need to contact the Adams County clerk after you find the case.
Walk-in service is available at the courthouse in Brighton. You can go to the clerk's office and request records in person. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait. This is the fastest way if you need a copy right away. Certified copies take a bit longer but you can usually get them the same day.
When you request divorce decree records for Commerce City, be ready to provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Year the divorce was filed
- Case number if available
Filing for Divorce in Commerce City
Commerce City residents must meet Colorado's residency requirement to file for divorce. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least 91 days before filing the petition. You file at Adams County Combined Court since Commerce City is in Adams County.
Colorado law uses a no-fault divorce system. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to prove fault by your spouse. This approach keeps the process simpler. Both spouses just need to agree the marriage cannot be saved.
The filing fee for a divorce petition is $230. This includes the displaced homemaker fee required under state law. If your spouse files a response, that costs $116. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the fees. You file a motion showing your income and assets. The judge decides if you qualify for in forma pauperis status.
After you file, Colorado law requires a 91-day waiting period before the judge can sign the final decree. This rule is in the statute and applies to all divorces statewide. Even if both spouses agree on all terms, the court cannot finalize the divorce until 91 days pass. The waiting period starts when the court gets jurisdiction over the respondent, which usually happens after they are served.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3, you may be able to get a decree without a court appearance if certain conditions are met. Both spouses must agree on all terms and there must be no minor children, or both parties must have lawyers with a signed separation agreement. This process uses form JDF 1018. The clerk in Brighton can provide the form.
Copy Fees and Court Costs
Fees for copies of divorce decree records in Commerce City follow the state schedule. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document no matter how many pages. If you are a party to the case, the maximum fee for copies is $15 regardless of page count. Non-parties pay the full cost.
A name search costs $5 if you need the clerk to look up a case. A transcript of judgment costs $25. Research and redaction fees apply after the first hour of clerk time. The rate is $30 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments. If the file is stored off-site, you pay the actual cost of retrieval.
Call the Adams County clerk at (303) 654-3211 to confirm current fees before you request divorce records for Commerce City.
Legal Help for Commerce City Residents
Several organizations provide legal help to Commerce City residents going through a divorce. Colorado Legal Services offers free civil legal aid to low-income individuals. They serve Adams County from offices around the state. Call (303) 837-1313 or visit coloradolegalservices.org to see if you qualify.
The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call 303-860-1115 and they will connect you with a family law attorney who serves Commerce City and Adams County. The first consultation is usually offered at a reduced rate. You can also use the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help website at coloradojudicial.gov for forms and instructions.
All Colorado court forms are free to download at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms. This includes the petition for dissolution, response, parenting plan, child support worksheets, and final decree. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice but can tell you which forms you need.
Note: Adams County offers self-represented e-filing for divorce cases if you want to file online without a lawyer.
Adams County Divorce Records
Commerce City is in Adams County. All divorce cases for Commerce City and other parts of the county are handled by Adams County Combined Court in Brighton. For more information on filing, fees, and related services, visit the Adams County divorce records page.