Lakewood Divorce Decree Access
Lakewood divorce decree records are filed at the Jefferson County Combined Courts in the 1st Judicial District. Lakewood is in Jefferson County and all dissolution of marriage cases for Lakewood residents go to the county courthouse in Golden. The clerk office at the courthouse maintains all divorce decrees and provides copies to parties and the public. Lakewood is the fifth largest city in Colorado with about 155,000 residents. Jefferson County serves Lakewood and many other cities from a single combined court system. The courthouse is in Golden, which is the county seat, about 10 miles west of Lakewood.
Lakewood Quick Facts
Jefferson County Court for Lakewood
All divorce cases for Lakewood are filed at the Jefferson County Combined Courts in Golden. The courthouse is part of the 1st Judicial District and serves all of Jefferson County. Lakewood residents file their divorce petitions at this courthouse even though it is not located in Lakewood itself. Golden is the county seat, so all court functions are based there.
The courthouse is easy to reach from Lakewood. Take 6th Avenue west to Golden or use Highway 470. RTD bus routes serve Golden from Lakewood and other Denver metro areas. The courthouse has parking for visitors. Bring a valid photo ID to get through security when you visit in person.
| Court | Jefferson County Combined Courts (1st Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Jefferson County Parkway Golden, CO 80401 |
| Phone | (303) 271-6215 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/jefferson-county |
The clerk office handles all records requests for divorce decrees and other court documents. You can visit in person, call, or send records requests by email or mail. Most requests are processed within three business days. Call ahead at (303) 271-6215 to ask about current fees and procedures for getting copies of divorce decrees in Lakewood.
Search Lakewood Divorce Records Online
CoCourts.com is the best way to search for divorce records in Lakewood. This database covers Jefferson 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.
The Register of Action shows case history with dates and filings but not actual documents. You will see when the divorce was filed, when hearings took place, and when the final decree was signed. To get a copy of the decree itself, you must contact the Jefferson County clerk office at the address above or use the online records request form at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form.
Visit cocourts.com to start searching. Enter a name or case number and select Jefferson County. The database pulls real-time data from the court system and includes Lakewood 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 Golden.
Filing for Divorce in Lakewood
Lakewood 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 Lakewood the whole time. Living anywhere in the state for 91 days is enough. If one spouse lives in Jefferson County, you can file in Golden.
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 Jefferson County. You pay when you file the papers at the clerk office in Golden.
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 filed by Lakewood residents.
Decree Without Court Appearance
If both spouses agree on all terms, you can file for a decree without appearing in court. Colorado law allows this under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3 when certain conditions are met. You must file an affidavit stating that you meet the requirements.
The court can enter a final decree based on the affidavit and separation agreement without a hearing. This is common in uncontested cases where there are no minor children or where both parties have lawyers and a written agreement. Use form JDF 1018 (Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance) to request this in Lakewood cases.
Requirements for a decree without appearance include no genuine issue of material fact, no marital property to divide (or an agreement on division), and proper service of the adverse party. If children are involved, both parties must be represented by counsel and have a written separation agreement. The court reviews the affidavit and agreement to make sure all legal requirements are met before entering the final decree for Lakewood cases.
Divorce Forms for Lakewood Cases
All Colorado divorce forms are available at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms at no cost. These are the same forms used statewide. Lakewood residents use the same forms as anyone else in Colorado. Jefferson County does not have separate local forms for most divorce cases.
The main forms needed to file for divorce in Lakewood 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 1018: Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance
- JDF 1019: Final Decree
Download the forms and fill them out before you go to the courthouse. You can also get forms at the clerk office in Golden. Staff can point you to the right forms but cannot give legal advice. If you need help filling out the forms, contact a lawyer or visit the self-help center at the courthouse.
Lakewood Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Copy fees for divorce decrees in Lakewood 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. 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 Lakewood.
Call the Jefferson County clerk at (303) 271-6215 to confirm current fees before you order copies. Fees can change, so it is best to check before you visit or send a request. You can also ask about payment methods accepted at the courthouse in Golden.
Legal Help in Lakewood
Colorado Legal Services has offices that serve Jefferson 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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood.
The Jefferson County Bar Association can help you find a family law attorney in Lakewood. You can also call the statewide Colorado Bar Association referral service at 1-800-392-5660 for help finding an attorney. The referral service connects you with local lawyers who handle divorce cases in Jefferson County.
The self-help center at the Jefferson County courthouse in Golden has computers, printers, and staff who can guide you through the forms. They do not provide legal advice, but they can help you locate the right forms and explain court procedures. Call (303) 271-6215 and ask for the self-help center to confirm hours and availability.
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 a Lakewood case, contact the Jefferson 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. Most legal matters require the actual decree, not just verification.
Note: Divorce verification from CDPHE does not include custody orders or other case details that appear in the decree.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Other Jefferson County cities file their divorce cases at the same courthouse in Golden. Arvada is partly in Jefferson County and partly in Adams County. Wheat Ridge is fully in Jefferson County and uses the same court as Lakewood. Denver is to the east in Denver County. Aurora is to the southeast in Arapahoe and Adams counties.
Related city pages:
- Arvada (Jefferson and Adams counties)
- Wheat Ridge (Jefferson County)
- Denver (Denver County)
- Aurora (Arapahoe and Adams counties)
Jefferson County Divorce Records
Lakewood is in Jefferson County and all divorce cases are filed at the Jefferson County Combined Courts in Golden. The county court serves Lakewood and many other cities in the area. For more on Jefferson County court procedures, fees, and additional resources, visit the Jefferson County divorce records page.