Search Adams County Divorce Records

Adams County handles divorce decrees through the 17th Judicial District Court. This court serves both Adams and Broomfield counties but maintains separate filing systems for each. When you file a divorce in Adams County, the case gets processed at the district court in Brighton. All records from your dissolution of marriage remain on file with the clerk. You can get copies of your decree and related documents by making a request to the Adams County Combined Court. Most people find what they need within days if they know their case number and have proper ID to verify their link to the case.

Adams County District Court

The Adams County District Court Clerk holds all divorce decree files for the county. This office is in Brighton at the Adams County Justice Center. Court staff help people find case records, request copies, and answer basic questions about the filing process. The clerk's office stays busy with hundreds of family law cases each month, so calling ahead or using the online request form often works better than just showing up.

Adams County is part of the 17th Judicial District along with Broomfield County. The district court judges hear cases from both counties, but each has its own clerk's office and filing location. If you filed in Adams County, your records stay in Adams County. Thornton, Westminster, Commerce City, Brighton, and Northglenn residents all file at the same Adams County court in Brighton.

To learn more about Adams County divorce decree services, visit the court's website or call their main number. They can guide you through the request process and tell you what to bring if you come in person. The online records request form through the Colorado Judicial Branch also routes Adams County requests to the right staff members.

Staff process most record requests within three business days. Complex cases or older files may take longer. If your divorce happened decades ago, the file might be in storage and need to be retrieved before copies can be made. An off-site retrieval fee applies in those cases.

Getting Your Divorce Decree

Adams County offers in-person, online, and mail options for divorce decree requests. The fastest way is to visit the clerk's office in Brighton with your ID. Staff can look up your case and make copies while you wait if the file is not in storage. Bring the case number if you have it. If not, they can search by your name and approximate filing date.

The online records request form lets you submit your request from home. Select Adams County from the dropdown menu. Enter both parties' names and the year the divorce was filed. Include your contact info and how you want to get the records. The court will email you with fee information and next steps. Most people hear back in a day or two.

You can also mail your request to the clerk's office. Write a letter with your name, case number or party names, what documents you need, and how to reach you. Mail it to Adams County Combined Court, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601. The clerk will respond with copy fees and payment instructions. Send payment, then wait for your copies to arrive by mail.

Copy fees follow the state schedule. Regular copies are $0.25 per page. A certified copy costs $20.00 per document no matter how long it is. If you were a party in the divorce, you pay a max of $15.00 total for your own records. Non-parties pay per page. Name searches run $5.00 if you need the clerk to find your case number. Research fees are $30.00 per hour for requests that take staff time to locate and review files.

Finding Adams Divorce Cases Online

CoCourts.com covers Adams County divorce decrees in its statewide database. You pay $10.00 or less to search by name or case number. The system shows you a Register of Action that lists when the petition was filed, court dates, and the decree entry date. This helps you confirm the case exists and get the exact case number before ordering copies.

The Register of Action is not the same as the decree itself. It shows case activity and filings but not the actual documents. Once you find your case on CoCourts, contact the Adams County Clerk to get the decree. The online search just makes it easier to locate the right case and verify basic info.

Other services like Background Information Services and Tessera Data also search Adams County court records. These are commercial databases that pull from the same state court system. Tessera is business-to-business only. BISI serves individual consumers and businesses.

Filing for Divorce in Adams County

You can file in Adams County if you or your spouse lives here. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, one party must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before filing the petition. The filing fee is $230.00, which covers the court costs and displaced homemaker fee required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120.5. File your petition at the clerk's office in Brighton during business hours.

After filing, the court needs 91 days before it can enter a final decree. This waiting period gives both parties time to work out property division, parenting plans, and support issues. You might have hearings during this time for temporary orders. The 91-day wait starts when the court gets jurisdiction over the other spouse through service of the petition.

Many Adams County divorces settle without a trial. When both parties agree on everything, the case can be finalized by affidavit using form JDF 1018. The judge signs the decree based on your written agreement. This process is faster and cheaper than going to court. The final decree still gets entered under C.R.S. § 14-10-120, which makes it official and binding.

Adams County provides local information through their court website. You can download state forms like JDF 1010 for the divorce petition and JDF 1019 for the final decree. The Colorado Courts self-help section walks you through the forms and process step by step.

Who Can See Divorce Records

Colorado divorce decrees are public records in most cases. Anyone with a direct interest can request copies. Parties to the divorce get the easiest access. Family members, attorneys, and people with a legal need can also get records. Some parts of files may be sealed if they involve children's safety or financial account numbers.

Suppressed cases require extra steps to access. If a case has restricted access by court order, you may need to show ID and explain your reason for requesting it. The clerk reviews restricted requests before releasing any documents. Standard divorces without special protections are open to public view and copying.

When the clerk enters a divorce decree, they send notice to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under state law. CDPHE keeps a divorce verification index but not the actual decrees. If you just need proof a divorce happened, CDPHE Vital Records can provide that. For the full decree, you must contact Adams County Court.

Cities in Adams County

These Adams County cities have populations over 25,000. All residents file divorce cases at the Adams County District Court in Brighton regardless of which city they live in. Municipal courts handle traffic and code violations but not family law matters.

Nearby Counties

Counties surrounding Adams County each have their own district courts that process divorce decrees. If you live on a county border, make sure you file in the county where you actually reside. The court checks residency when you file your petition.