Thornton Divorce Decree Filings
Thornton divorce decree records are filed at the Adams County Combined Courts in the 17th Judicial District. Thornton is in Adams County and all dissolution of marriage cases for Thornton residents go to the county courthouse in Brighton. The clerk office maintains all divorce decrees and provides copies to parties and the public. Thornton is the sixth largest city in Colorado with about 141,000 residents. Adams County serves Thornton and several other cities from a single combined court system. The courthouse is in Brighton, which is the county seat, about 12 miles northeast of Thornton.
Thornton Quick Facts
Adams County Court for Thornton
All divorce cases for Thornton are filed at the Adams County Combined Courts in Brighton. The courthouse is part of the 17th Judicial District and serves all of Adams County. Thornton residents file their divorce petitions at this courthouse even though it is not located in Thornton itself. Brighton is the county seat, so all court functions are based there.
The courthouse is at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. It is about a 20-minute drive from central Thornton. Take Interstate 25 north to Highway 7, then east to Brighton. RTD bus routes serve Brighton from Thornton 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 | 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 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) 654-6000 to ask about current fees and procedures for getting copies of divorce decrees in Thornton.
Search Thornton Divorce Records Online
CoCourts.com is the fastest way to search for divorce records in Thornton. This database covers Adams 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 Adams 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 Adams County. The database pulls real-time data from the court system and includes Thornton 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 Brighton.
For historical cases from 1904 to 1992, the Colorado State Archives holds Adams County divorce records. These older cases can be searched at archives.colorado.gov/archives-search. For cases filed after 1992, contact the Adams County clerk in Brighton. Archived divorce records are restricted for 100 years, so you may need to show proof of direct interest to access them.
Filing for Divorce in Thornton
Thornton 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 Thornton the whole time. Living anywhere in the state for 91 days is enough. If one spouse lives in Adams County, you can file in Brighton.
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 Adams County. You pay when you file the papers at the clerk office in Brighton.
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. The court only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. 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 applies to all Colorado divorces, including those filed by Thornton residents.
When a Divorce Becomes Final
A divorce decree is final when entered by the court, subject to the right of appeal. This is set by C.R.S. § 14-10-120. The clerk of the court gives notice of the decree to the office of state registrar of vital statistics at CDPHE. This makes the information available to the public upon request.
Once the decree is entered, you can request a certified copy from the Adams County clerk in Brighton. The certified copy proves the divorce is final and can be used for legal purposes like remarriage or changing your name on official documents. Most people need a certified copy within a few weeks of the final hearing in Thornton cases.
Note: The final decree includes all terms on custody, support, and property division, not just the fact that the divorce is final.
Divorce Forms for Thornton Cases
All Colorado divorce forms are available at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms at no cost. These are the same forms used statewide. Thornton residents use the same forms as anyone else in Colorado. Adams County does not have separate local forms for most divorce cases.
The main forms needed to file for divorce in Thornton are:
- JDF 1010: How to File for Divorce
- JDF 1011: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- JDF 1102: Summons for Dissolution of Marriage
- JDF 1099: Instructions for Service
- 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 Thornton cases.
Thornton Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Copy fees for divorce decrees in Thornton 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.
Other fees that may apply include:
- Name search fee: $5.00
- Transcript of judgment: $25.00
- Certificate of satisfaction: $20.00
- 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 Thornton.
Call the Adams County clerk at (303) 654-6000 to confirm current fees before you order copies. Fees can change, so it is best to check before you visit or send a request.
Legal Help in Thornton
Colorado Legal Services has offices that serve Adams 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 Thornton. 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 Thornton. Volunteer lawyers answer questions about divorce and family law at no charge. Check their website at denbar.org/mvl for clinic times and locations.
You can also call the Colorado Bar Association lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660 for help finding a family law attorney in Thornton. The referral service connects you with local lawyers who handle divorce cases in Adams County.
The self-help center at the Adams County courthouse in Brighton 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) 654-6000 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 Thornton case, contact the Adams 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.
Nearby Colorado Cities
Other Adams County cities file their divorce cases at the same courthouse in Brighton. Northglenn, Commerce City, and Brighton are all in Adams County and use the same court as Thornton. Aurora spans both Arapahoe County and Adams County. Denver is to the south in Denver County.
Related city pages:
- Aurora (Arapahoe and Adams counties)
- Northglenn (Adams County)
- Commerce City (Adams County)
- Denver (Denver County)
Adams County Divorce Records
Thornton is in Adams County and all divorce cases are filed at the Adams County Combined Courts in Brighton. The county court serves Thornton and several other cities in the area. For more on Adams County court procedures, fees, historical records held by the Colorado State Archives, and additional resources, visit the Adams County divorce records page.