Fort Collins Divorce Decrees
Fort Collins divorce decree records are handled by the Larimer County Combined Courts in the 8th Judicial District. Fort Collins is the county seat of Larimer County, so the main courthouse is located right in the city. All dissolutions of marriage for Fort Collins residents are filed at this courthouse. The clerk office maintains all divorce decrees and provides copies to anyone who needs them. Fort Collins is the largest city in Larimer County and the fourth largest city in Colorado. The county court serves Fort Collins and other cities in the county from a single courthouse location on Laporte Avenue in downtown Fort Collins.
Fort Collins Quick Facts
Larimer County Court in Fort Collins
The Larimer County Combined Courts are at 201 Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins. This is the only courthouse for Larimer County. All divorce cases for Fort Collins and other county cities are filed here. The courthouse is downtown near Old Town Fort Collins. It is easy to reach by car or bus.
The clerk office handles all records requests for divorce decrees and other court documents. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, except state holidays. You can visit in person, call, or send records requests by email or mail. Most requests are processed within three business days.
| Court | Larimer County Combined Courts (8th Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 |
| Phone | (970) 498-6100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/larimer-county |
Street parking is available on Laporte Avenue and nearby streets. There are also parking lots and garages within walking distance of the courthouse. If you take the bus, several Transfort routes serve downtown Fort Collins and stop near the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the courthouse in person to get through security.
Search Fort Collins Divorce Records Online
CoCourts.com is the fastest way to search for divorce records in Fort Collins. This database covers Larimer County and all other Colorado counties. You can search by name or case number. Each search costs $10 or less and returns the Register of Action for a case. This shows case history with dates and filings but not actual documents.
To get a copy of the divorce decree itself, you must contact the Larimer County clerk office at the address above or use the online records request form at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. Select Larimer County and the case type, then provide names or a case number. The court will contact you with fee information and processing time.
Visit cocourts.com to start searching. Enter a name or case number and select Larimer County. The database pulls real-time data from the court system and includes Fort Collins cases going back many years. This helps you find the case number and confirm details before you request a copy of the divorce decree from the clerk in Fort Collins.
Filing for Divorce in Fort Collins
Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins the whole time. Living anywhere in the state for 91 days is enough. If one spouse lives in Larimer County, you can file in Fort Collins.
The filing fee is $230 for a divorce petition. This includes the displaced homemaker fee required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120.5. A response to a petition costs $116. These fees are set statewide, not by Larimer County. You pay when you file the papers at the clerk office in Fort Collins.
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. The court only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove fault or wrongdoing. 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 Fort Collins.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may request a fee waiver by filing an In Forma Pauperis form. You must show proof that you cannot pay the fees. The judge reviews your request and decides if you qualify. Call the clerk office at (970) 498-6100 to ask about fee waivers in Fort Collins.
Divorce Forms for Fort Collins Cases
All Colorado divorce forms are available at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms at no cost. These are the same forms used statewide, including in Fort Collins. Larimer County does not have separate local forms for most divorce cases.
The main forms needed to file for divorce in Fort Collins are:
- JDF 1010: How to File for Divorce (instructions)
- 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. The court can enter the final decree based on the affidavit and separation agreement without a hearing in Fort Collins.
Self-Help Resources in Fort Collins
The Larimer County courthouse has a self-help center for people handling their own divorce. Staff can answer questions about forms and filing procedures. They do not provide legal advice, but they can help you understand court rules and what documents you need. The self-help center has computers, printers, and all the forms you need to file for divorce in Fort Collins.
Call (970) 498-6100 and ask for the self-help center to confirm hours and availability. You can also visit the center in person at the courthouse during business hours. Staff will guide you through the forms and explain the next steps in your case.
Colorado Legal Help at coloradolegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer. The site walks you through the divorce process and helps you fill out forms. This is a free resource for Fort Collins residents who want to handle their own case without paying for a lawyer.
Fort Collins Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Copy fees for divorce decrees in Fort Collins follow the state fee schedule set by Chief Justice Directive 06-01. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document, not per page. A certified copy has the court seal and can be used for legal purposes like remarriage or Social Security benefits.
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 in Fort Collins.
Legal Help in Fort Collins
Colorado Legal Services has an office that serves Larimer County and provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They assist with divorce, custody, and support cases for low-income residents in Fort Collins. Call (970) 493-2891 to see if you qualify or visit coloradolegalservices.org for more information.
The Larimer County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney in Fort Collins. The referral service helps you find a lawyer who handles divorce cases. You can also call the statewide Colorado Bar Association referral service at 1-800-392-5660 for help finding an attorney in Fort Collins.
Pro bono legal services are available through volunteer lawyer programs in Larimer County. These programs offer free help to people who cannot afford an attorney. Contact the Larimer County Bar Association or visit the self-help center at the courthouse to ask about free legal clinics in Fort Collins.
The Family Law Self-Help Center at the courthouse is a free resource for people handling their own divorce. They have computers, printers, and staff who can guide you through the forms. The center does not provide legal advice, but they can help you locate the right forms and explain court procedures in Fort Collins.
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. Most legal matters require the actual decree, not just verification.
If you need the full divorce decree from a Fort Collins case, contact the Larimer County clerk at the address above. If you only need verification, you can order it from CDPHE at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords or through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Verification is useful for proving a divorce happened, but it does not include the terms of the decree.
Note: Divorce verification from CDPHE does not include custody orders or other case details that appear in the decree.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Other Larimer County cities file their divorce cases at the same courthouse in Fort Collins. Loveland is the second largest city in Larimer County and uses the same court. Outside Larimer County, Greeley is to the east in Weld County. Boulder is to the south in Boulder County. Each county has its own District Court for divorce cases.
Related city pages:
Larimer County Divorce Records
Fort Collins is the county seat of Larimer County and all divorce cases are filed at the Larimer County Combined Courts. The county court serves Fort Collins, Loveland, and other cities in the area. For more on Larimer County court procedures, fees, and additional resources, visit the Larimer County divorce records page.