Wheat Ridge Divorce Decree Search
Wheat Ridge divorce decree records are filed at Jefferson County District Court in the 1st Judicial District. Residents of Wheat Ridge who need to file for divorce or get copies of existing decrees handle that through the Jefferson County clerk's office in Golden. All divorce cases from Wheat Ridge go through Jefferson County courts and the records are accessible to the public under Colorado law.
Wheat Ridge Quick Facts
Jefferson County Court for Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge is in Jefferson County. All divorce filings for Wheat Ridge residents go to Jefferson County District Court in Golden. Golden is the county seat and about 10 miles west of Wheat Ridge. The courthouse is at 100 Jefferson County Parkway. This is the only place to file divorce cases for Wheat Ridge residents.
The court is part of the 1st Judicial District. This district includes only Jefferson and Gilpin counties. Each county has its own courthouse. Jefferson County handles all domestic relations cases including divorce for Wheat Ridge and other parts of the county. The clerk's office handles new filings and records requests.
| Court | Jefferson County District Court (1st Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Jefferson County Pkwy Golden, CO 80401 |
| Phone | (303) 271-6100 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/jefferson-county |
Staff at the clerk's office can help with general questions about filing and how to get copies of old divorce decree records. They cannot give legal advice. Security screening is required at the entrance so plan extra time when you visit. Parking is available in the lot next to the courthouse.
How to Search Divorce Decree Records
You can search for divorce decree records from Wheat Ridge online or in person. The online method uses the Colorado Judicial Branch records request system. Go to coloradojudicial.gov and fill out the form. You pick Jefferson County from the list and provide case details. The clerk responds within three business days with info on what records are available and how to pay.
Another online option is CoCourts.com. This third-party site run by LexisNexis has records from Jefferson County and most other Colorado counties. Searches cost $10 or less. You can look up cases by name or case number. CoCourts gives you the Register of Action, which lists all the filings and court dates. It does not include the actual documents. To get the divorce decree itself, you still need to contact the Jefferson County clerk after you find the case.
Walk-in service is available at the courthouse in Golden. You can go to the clerk's office and request records in person. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait. This is the fastest way if you need a copy right away. Certified copies take a bit longer but you can usually get them the same day.
When you request divorce decree records for Wheat Ridge, have this info ready:
- Full names of both spouses
- Year the divorce was filed
- Case number if available
Filing for Divorce in Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge residents must meet Colorado's residency requirement to file for divorce. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least 91 days before filing the petition. You file at Jefferson County District Court since Wheat Ridge is in Jefferson County.
Colorado law uses a no-fault divorce system. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to prove fault by your spouse. This approach keeps the process simpler. Both spouses just need to agree the marriage cannot be saved.
The filing fee for a divorce petition is $230. This includes the displaced homemaker fee required under state law. If your spouse files a response, that costs $116. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the fees. You file a motion showing your income and assets. The judge decides if you qualify for in forma pauperis status.
After you file, Colorado law requires a 91-day waiting period before the judge can sign the final decree. This rule is in the statute and applies to all divorces statewide. Even if both spouses agree on all terms, the court cannot finalize the divorce until 91 days pass. The waiting period starts when the court gets jurisdiction over the respondent, which usually happens after they are served.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3, you may be able to get a decree without a court appearance if certain conditions are met. Both spouses must agree on all terms and there must be no minor children, or both parties must have lawyers with a signed separation agreement. This process uses form JDF 1018.
Copy Fees and Court Costs
Fees for copies of divorce decree records in Wheat Ridge follow the state schedule. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document no matter how many pages. If you are a party to the case, the maximum fee for copies is $15 regardless of page count. Non-parties pay the full cost.
A name search costs $5 if you need the clerk to look up a case. A transcript of judgment costs $25. Research and redaction fees apply after the first hour of clerk time. The rate is $30 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments. If the file is stored off-site, you pay the actual cost of retrieval.
Call the Jefferson County clerk at (303) 271-6100 to confirm current fees before you request divorce records for Wheat Ridge.
Legal Help for Wheat Ridge Residents
Several organizations provide legal help to Wheat Ridge residents going through a divorce. Colorado Legal Services offers free civil legal aid to low-income individuals. They serve Jefferson County from offices around the state. Call (303) 837-1313 or visit coloradolegalservices.org to see if you qualify.
The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call 303-860-1115 and they will connect you with a family law attorney who serves Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County. The first consultation is usually offered at a reduced rate. You can also use the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help website at coloradojudicial.gov for forms and instructions.
All Colorado court forms are free to download at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms. This includes the petition for dissolution, response, parenting plan, child support worksheets, and final decree. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice but can tell you which forms you need.
Note: Jefferson County offers self-represented e-filing for divorce cases if you want to file online without a lawyer.
Jefferson County Divorce Records
Wheat Ridge is in Jefferson County. All divorce cases for Wheat Ridge and other parts of the county are handled by Jefferson County District Court in Golden. For more information on filing, fees, and related services, visit the Jefferson County divorce records page.