Loveland Divorce Decree Lookup
Loveland divorce decree records are filed at the Larimer County Combined Court, which serves the 8th Judicial District. All dissolution of marriage cases for Loveland and the rest of Larimer County go through the courthouse in Fort Collins. The court sits at 201 LaPorte Avenue, about 15 miles north of Loveland. Loveland residents file there and return to that location to get certified copies of divorce decrees. You can search for Loveland divorce decree records online through CoCourts or visit the courthouse in person. The court handles both contested and uncontested divorces, modifications of old decrees, and enforcement actions for Loveland residents who need to access their family law records.
Loveland Quick Facts
Larimer County Court Serves Loveland
Loveland residents file divorce cases at the Larimer County Combined Court in Fort Collins. The courthouse is at 201 LaPorte Avenue, north of downtown Fort Collins. This is the main courthouse for Larimer County. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The court is closed on state holidays. Call (970) 498-6100 to reach the clerk with questions about filing or getting Loveland divorce decree records.
| Court Name | Larimer County Combined Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 LaPorte Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 |
| Phone | (970) 498-6100 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| Website | www.coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/larimer-county |
Parking near the courthouse includes metered street spots and paid lots. Transfort bus routes serve the area around the courthouse for Loveland residents who prefer public transit. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID and do not carry large bags, weapons, or prohibited items when you visit to file or search Loveland divorce decree records.
The clerk office is on the first floor of the courthouse. Signs guide you from the main entrance once you clear security. Clerk staff help you file new cases, search for old cases, and get copies of divorce decrees in Loveland. If the file you need is archived, they retrieve it from storage, but this may take a day or two. Most recent Loveland divorce cases are on-site for same-day service at the Fort Collins courthouse.
Search Loveland Divorce Records
CoCourts.com provides online access to Loveland divorce decree records. This database covers all Colorado District Courts, including Larimer County. You search by name or case number. Results show the register of action, which lists every filing, motion, hearing, and order in the case. You do not get full document text from CoCourts. For actual copies of the divorce decree or other papers, you contact the clerk.
Visit www.cocourts.com/cocourts/ and select Larimer County. Enter the name of one or both spouses. If you know the case number, use that for a faster search. A name search costs $10 or less. LexisNexis runs the site for Colorado, and data updates in real time from the court system. New Loveland filings appear quickly after the clerk enters them into the database.
For full copies of Loveland divorce decree records, use the official records request form at www.coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. Fill in the case details and choose Larimer County. The clerk reviews your request and responds within three business days. Copies cost $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies are $20 per document. If you are a party to the case, your max fee is $15 for your own records in Loveland.
Walk-in searches are also available at the Fort Collins courthouse. Tell the clerk the names and case number if you have it. They search for free. If you want copies, they print them while you wait in most cases. Bring a debit or credit card to pay. If the case is old and archived, you may need to return later or have copies mailed after the clerk retrieves the file from storage for your Loveland divorce case.
File for Divorce in Loveland
Loveland residents follow Colorado dissolution of marriage law. One spouse must live in Colorado for 90 days before filing under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. The court must also wait 91 days after it gets control over the other spouse before it can grant the divorce. Even uncontested Loveland divorces take at least three months from filing to finalization.
File your petition at the Larimer County courthouse clerk office in Fort Collins. The filing fee is $230, which includes the displaced homemaker fund fee required by Colorado under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.5. Pay when you file, or request a fee waiver if you have low income. The clerk gives you a case number and stamped copies of your petition for service on the other spouse in Loveland.
Serve the other spouse after filing. You may use the sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail in some cases. Proof of service goes to the court. The case cannot move forward without it. Larimer County Sheriff charges about $75 for service in Loveland. Private servers vary. Once served, the other spouse has time to file a response. If they do not, you can ask the court for a default judgment in your Loveland divorce case.
Colorado uses no-fault divorce rules under C.R.S. § 14-10-110. Loveland residents only need to state that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No proof of wrongdoing is required. You do not have to show adultery, abuse, or other fault. The court grants the divorce if you meet the residency and waiting period requirements. This makes Loveland divorces simpler than in fault-based states.
If both sides agree on all terms, submit a separation agreement to the court. This covers property division, debt allocation, child custody if applicable, and support. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the final decree if the terms are fair and follow Colorado law. Most Loveland divorces with full agreements finish within 90 to 120 days. Contested cases take longer and may go to trial if settlement talks fail.
Divorce Forms for Loveland Residents
All Loveland divorce forms come from the Colorado court system. There are no city-specific forms. Download them free at www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms. Look for the JDF 1000 series for family law. Each form has instructions on how to complete it.
Main forms for Loveland include:
- JDF 1011 - Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- JDF 1015 - Response to Petition
- JDF 1018 - Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance
- JDF 1019 - Final Decree
- JDF 1102 - Summons for Dissolution of Marriage
- JDF 1305 - Stipulated Motion to Dismiss
If you have children, add child support forms. Colorado uses worksheets based on income and parenting time to calculate support. Get these from the court website under family law. You need them filled out before the judge signs your Loveland divorce decree. Missing forms delay the case and may require extra trips to the Fort Collins courthouse.
Larimer County offers e-filing for some family law forms. Not all forms can be e-filed. Check the court page for the current list. There is a small tech fee on top of regular court fees when you e-file. You get email confirmation when the clerk accepts your filing, which is faster than mailing papers from Loveland to the courthouse in Fort Collins.
Legal Help for Loveland Residents
Loveland residents can find free or low-cost legal help through several groups. Colorado Legal Services is the main one for people with low income. They focus on cases with domestic violence, child safety, or similar urgent issues. Call (970) 482-0644 for the Fort Collins office that serves Larimer County or visit www.coloradolegalservices.org to see if you qualify. They serve all of Larimer County, including Loveland.
The Colorado Bar Association runs a referral service at 1-800-392-5660. They match you with a family law attorney in the Loveland area. The first meeting is often free or at a reduced rate. This helps you decide if you want to hire that lawyer for your case. Most attorneys who take referrals know the 8th Judicial District procedures used in Loveland.
Larimer County has a self-help center at the Fort Collins courthouse. Staff provide forms, answer basic questions, and show you how to fill out papers for your Loveland divorce. They do not give legal advice or represent you in court. Walk in during court hours for help if you are filing without a lawyer in Loveland.
For online guidance, visit www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/divorce/ where you find step-by-step instructions for filing without a lawyer. The site explains each phase of a Loveland divorce case and helps you fill out forms correctly. It is free and covers the procedures used in Larimer County.
Costs for Loveland Divorce
The filing fee for a Loveland divorce is $230. This is the same across Colorado and covers the petition and displaced homemaker fund. If the other spouse files a response, that costs $116. Motions and other filings during the case may have additional fees. Call the clerk at (970) 498-6100 to get the current fee schedule before you file in Loveland.
Service costs are separate from court fees. The Larimer County Sheriff charges about $75 to serve the other spouse in Loveland. Private process servers may cost more or less. Certified mail is cheaper but only works if the other person signs for it. Failed service means you pay again for a second attempt. Budget for service on top of the $230 filing fee.
Copies of divorce decree records in Loveland cost $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies are $20 per document regardless of length. Name searches by the clerk cost $5. Research or redaction fees run $30 per hour after the first hour, billed in 15-minute increments. Most people spend less than $50 to get a certified copy of their final Loveland divorce decree.
If you cannot afford the fees, file form JDF 205 to request a fee waiver. The court reviews your income and assets. Many low-income Loveland residents get approved. This waives the $230 filing fee and other court costs, but it does not cover lawyer fees or service costs. You still must serve the other spouse even with a fee waiver in Loveland divorce cases.
Note: Research fees only apply after the first hour of clerk research time, so most simple Loveland divorce decree requests do not trigger this fee.
Divorce Verification in Loveland
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps a statewide record of all divorces. This is separate from the court file. It is a vital record that shows the divorce occurred. You order it from the state health office, not the court. Some people use this for proof when they remarry or need to show their Loveland divorce is final.
Order a divorce verification at cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords. You need names, date, and county where the divorce was filed. Loveland cases show under Larimer County. The state sends a certificate that the divorce is on file. It does not include custody, property, or support terms. For the full decree with all the details, get that from the Larimer County Combined Court instead.
You can also use VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com to order online. This adds a service fee but delivers faster. Call VitalChek at 866-632-2604 or 866-300-8540 to order by phone. Loveland residents who need quick proof of divorce for a new marriage or similar purpose often use this service when the basic certificate is all they need.
Larimer County Divorce Resources
Loveland is in Larimer County, and all divorce filings for the city go through the Larimer County Combined Court in Fort Collins. For more on filing fees, local rules, clerk contact, and other resources for the 8th Judicial District, visit the Larimer County divorce decree records page.