Westminster Divorce Decree Records
Westminster divorce decree records are kept by two different District Courts since the city sits in both Adams County and Jefferson County. Most Westminster residents live on the Adams County side where cases go to the 17th Judicial District. The western portion falls in Jefferson County under the 1st Judicial District. When you file for divorce in Westminster, the court you use depends on which side of the county line your home sits. Both courts handle dissolution of marriage cases the same way under Colorado law, but you need to file in the county where you live. You can search for Westminster divorce decree records by checking with the District Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed.
Westminster Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Westminster Divorce Cases
Westminster sits in two counties. The east half is in Adams County. The west half is in Jefferson County. For divorce cases, you file at the District Court in the county where you live. You cannot pick which court to use. If your address falls on the Adams County side, you file with the Adams County Combined Court at the 17th Judicial District. If you are on the Jefferson County side, you file with the Jefferson County Combined Court under the 1st Judicial District.
Most of Westminster is in Adams County. That is where most divorce cases get filed. The Adams County courthouse sits at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. This is about 25 miles from central Westminster. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on all days the court is open. Call (303) 654-3200 to reach the clerk. Visit the court page at www.coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/adams-county for more info on Westminster divorce cases filed in Adams County.
The west part of Westminster files in Jefferson County. That courthouse is in Golden at 100 Jefferson County Parkway. It is about 18 miles from Westminster. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Call (303) 271-6215 for the clerk. Go to www.coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/jefferson-county to learn about filing divorce cases in Westminster on the Jefferson County side.
To figure out which county you live in, check your address on the city website. Property records show county lines. You can also call Westminster City Hall at (303) 658-2400 to ask which county your home is in for court filing. Do this before you start your divorce case so you file with the right court for Westminster residents.
Search for Westminster Divorce Decrees
You can search divorce decree records for Westminster through CoCourts.com. This is an online system run by LexisNexis for the Colorado courts. It covers both Adams and Jefferson Counties, which means all Westminster cases show up in one place. A name search costs $10 or less, and you get the register of action for the case. The register shows all filings, motions, hearings, and orders. It does not give you full copies of the divorce decree or other papers. For that, you need to ask the clerk.
Go to www.cocourts.com/cocourts/ to start a search. You can look by name, case number, or date range. Westminster divorce cases appear under either Adams County District Court or Jefferson County District Court. Make sure you search the right county if you know which side of the city filed the case. If you do not know, search both counties. CoCourts updates in real time from the court database, so you see new filings as soon as they get entered.
For full document copies in Westminster divorce cases, use the online records request form at www.coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. This is the official form for all Colorado courts. Fill out the party names, case type, and county where the case was filed. The clerk will respond within three days and tell you the cost. You pay $0.25 per page for plain copies. A certified divorce decree costs $20 per document no matter how many pages. If you are a party to the case, the max fee is $15 for copies of your own records. This makes it easy for Westminster residents to get their divorce decree after the case ends.
You can also walk in to the courthouse in person to search and get copies. Adams County is in Brighton and Jefferson County is in Golden. Show ID and tell the clerk the names and case number if you have it. Clerks can search their system by name and pull up old Westminster divorce cases going back many years. Same-day copies are common if the file is not archived. Archived files may need extra time to get from storage, so call ahead if your Westminster divorce case is old.
File for Divorce in Westminster
Westminster residents file under Colorado dissolution of marriage law just like the rest of the state. One spouse must live in Colorado for at least 90 days before you can file. This rule is in C.R.S. § 14-10-106. The court also requires a 91-day wait from the date it gets control over the other spouse before it can sign the final decree. That means even fast cases in Westminster take three months.
The person who files first is the petitioner. The other person is the respondent. The petitioner pays $230 to file a petition for dissolution at the Adams or Jefferson County court. This fee covers the displaced homemaker fund that Colorado requires. The respondent can file an answer for $116 if they want to dispute terms. If both sides agree on everything, no response is needed and the case goes faster.
All Westminster divorce cases need a separation agreement if both sides agree on terms. The agreement covers property split, debt split, child custody if there are kids, and support. Once signed by both, it goes to the judge for approval. If no agreement is reached, the court will schedule hearings and rule on each issue. Most Westminster residents try to settle because trials cost more and take longer than agreements do.
Colorado is a no-fault state for divorce under C.R.S. § 14-10-110. This means Westminster residents only need to say the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No proof of wrongdoing is needed. Fault-based grounds like adultery or cruelty do not matter in Colorado dissolution cases. This speeds up the process and makes Westminster divorces less contentious.
Serve the other spouse after you file. You can use a process server or the sheriff. Adams County Sheriff charges about $75 for service in Westminster. Jefferson County is similar. Proof of service must go in the court file. Without proof, the case cannot move forward. If you cannot find the other person, you may ask the court for service by publication in a Westminster newspaper, but this takes extra steps and time.
Westminster Divorce Forms
All Westminster divorce forms come from the Colorado court system. There are no city-specific forms. Use the state forms for every case. You can download them free at www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms. The site has forms for every step of a Westminster dissolution case. Look for the JDF 1000 series, which covers divorce.
Key forms for Westminster residents 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
If you have kids, add child support forms. Colorado uses worksheets to figure child support based on both parents' income and time with the kids. You need these filled out before the judge signs a decree in Westminster cases with children. Get the child support forms from the same court website under the family law section.
Westminster residents can file papers online using the Colorado e-filing system. This is faster than mailing or bringing them to the courthouse. Go to the court page for Adams or Jefferson County and look for the e-filing link. There is a small tech fee on top of the regular filing fees. Not all forms can be e-filed, so check the rules before you try. Initial petitions and responses usually work fine for online filing in Westminster.
Legal Help for Westminster Residents
Westminster residents have access to free and low-cost legal help through groups that serve Adams and Jefferson Counties. Colorado Legal Services is the main group for free aid if you have low income. They focus on cases with domestic violence or child safety issues. Call them at (303) 837-1313 for the Denver metro office or visit www.coloradolegalservices.org to see if you qualify. Westminster residents who live on either side of the county line can call this number for help.
The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You get matched with a local attorney who practices family law. The first meeting is low cost or free depending on the lawyer. This is a good option if you want help with your Westminster divorce case but cannot afford full representation. Most referrals lead to an attorney who knows Adams or Jefferson County court procedures well.
Self-help centers sit in both county courthouses. Adams County has one at the Brighton courthouse. Jefferson County has one in Golden. These centers give forms, answer basic questions, and show you how to fill out papers for your Westminster divorce. They do not give legal advice or represent you in court. They just help you do the paperwork right. Walk-ins are welcome during court hours at both locations.
For Westminster residents who want online help, go to www.coloradolegalservices.org or www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/divorce/ for guides on filing without a lawyer. These sites walk you through each step and explain what the court expects. They are free to use and cover Westminster divorce cases under both Adams and Jefferson County rules.
Costs for Westminster Divorce
Westminster divorce cases cost the same as any other Colorado dissolution. The filing fee is $230 for the petition. This fee applies in both Adams and Jefferson Counties. If the other side files a response, that costs $116. Motions and other filings during the case may add more fees. Check with the clerk at (303) 654-3200 for Adams County or (303) 271-6215 for Jefferson County to get current fee info before you file in Westminster.
Service of process costs extra. The sheriff charges about $75 in both counties. Private servers may charge more or less. If you use certified mail, that is cheaper but only works if the other person signs for it. If service fails, you pay again for a second try. Westminster residents should budget for service costs on top of the court filing fee.
Copies of divorce decree records in Westminster cost $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies are $20 per document. Name searches cost $5 if done by the clerk. Research or redaction fees run $30 per hour after the first hour, billed in 15-minute chunks. These costs apply whether you file in Adams or Jefferson County. Most Westminster residents spend less than $50 to get a copy of their final divorce decree after the case ends.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the court for a fee waiver. File form JDF 205, which is the motion to file without payment. The judge reviews your income and assets to decide if you qualify. Many Westminster residents with low income get approved. This waives the $230 filing fee and other court costs, but it does not cover lawyer fees or service costs. You still have to serve the other spouse even with a fee waiver in Westminster divorce cases.
Divorce Verification in Westminster
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps a record of all divorces in the state. This is not the same as the court decree. It is a vital record that just shows the divorce happened. You get it from the state health office, not the court. The cost is lower than a certified copy of the full decree, and some places accept it as proof of divorce for Westminster residents.
Go to cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords to order a divorce verification. You need names, date, and county where the divorce was filed. Westminster cases show up under Adams or Jefferson County. The state sends you a certificate that says the divorce is on file. It does not have all the terms like the court decree does. If you need the full decree with property and custody terms, get that from the District Court Clerk in Adams or Jefferson County instead.
You can also use VitalChek to order online at www.vitalchek.com. This service adds a fee but delivers faster. Call VitalChek at 866-632-2604 or 866-300-8540 for phone orders. Westminster residents who need quick proof of divorce often use this service when they do not need the full court decree for their purpose.
Westminster County Divorce Resources
Since Westminster sits in two counties, check the resources for both. Adams County has full info on filing fees, clerk contact, and local rules for the 17th Judicial District. Jefferson County has the same for the 1st Judicial District. Both pages cover dissolution of marriage procedures that apply to Westminster residents.