Find Baca County Divorce Decrees

Baca County maintains divorce decree records through the 15th Judicial District Court. This district covers Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Prowers counties in southeastern Colorado. Divorce filings in Baca County go to the combined court in Springfield, where the clerk's office keeps all case files. If you need a copy of a divorce decree from Baca County, you start by contacting this office. The clerk can search for your case using names or a case number, then provide certified or regular copies depending on what you need. Whether you filed recently or years ago, the records stay on file at the courthouse in Springfield, making it the main source for getting copies of your divorce decree and other dissolution documents.

Baca County Court System

The Baca County Combined Court handles all divorce cases filed in the county. Located in Springfield, the courthouse serves as the filing and records center for dissolution of marriage cases. The clerk's office maintains files and processes requests for copies of divorce decrees and other court documents.

Baca County shares the 15th Judicial District with three other counties in the region. Judges rotate among courthouses to hear cases throughout the district. Each county keeps its own files even though they share judges. If you filed in Baca County, your records stay in Springfield regardless of which judge heard your case.

Most record requests get processed quickly in smaller counties like Baca. The clerk can often provide copies the same day if you visit in person and the file is on-site. Older files stored off-site take more time to retrieve. Call before visiting if your divorce is more than 15 years old to check file availability.

Requesting Baca Divorce Records

In-person requests work well for Baca County. The clerk's office is small and can usually help you right away. Bring photo ID if the case involves you. Tell the clerk you need a divorce decree and give them the case number or party names. They search the system and pull the file. If it is on-site, they make copies while you wait. Pay before leaving with your documents.

Online requests go through the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form. Choose Baca County and fill in the required information. Include both party names, approximate filing date, and what documents you want. The clerk reviews the request and contacts you about fees. After you pay, they send copies by mail or hold them for pickup.

You can also mail your request to the court. Write a letter with your name, contact information, case details, and what you need. Send it to Baca Combined Court, 741 Main Street, Springfield, CO 81073. The clerk replies with the total cost. Send payment by check or money order. Your copies arrive by mail after payment clears. This takes longer than in-person visits but works if you live far from Springfield.

Fees are set by state law. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20.00 per document. Parties to their own divorce pay a maximum of $15.00 for copies. Non-parties pay per page with no cap. A $5.00 name search fee applies if you need help finding your case number. Research fees of $30.00 per hour apply after the first hour for complex requests.

Historical Baca County Divorces

The Colorado State Archives holds some historical Baca County divorce records. According to Archives records, they have Baca County District Court divorces from 1904 to 1912 and from 1977 to 1990. If your divorce falls in those date ranges, check the Archives divorce collection page to see if your case is there.

For divorces outside those date ranges, contact the Baca County Court directly. Recent cases and those from gaps in the Archives holdings remain at the courthouse in Springfield. The clerk maintains files indefinitely, so even older cases from the mid-1900s may still be at the courthouse rather than the Archives.

To request records from the Archives, search their online database. You need the case number and year. Submit a request through their portal if you locate the case. Processing takes up to 10 business days. The Archives is in Denver at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 1B-20.

Filing for Divorce in Baca County

To file in Baca County, you or your spouse must live here. Colorado law requires 91 days of state residency before you can file under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. File your petition with the clerk in Springfield. The filing fee is $230.00, which includes court costs and the displaced homemaker fee.

After filing, a 91-day waiting period begins. The court cannot enter a final decree until 91 days pass after it gets jurisdiction over both spouses. This wait gives time to resolve property, support, and parenting issues. You can request temporary orders during the wait if needed. The 91-day rule applies to all Colorado divorces.

Uncontested cases can be finalized without a court hearing using form JDF 1018. Both parties sign an affidavit and submit their agreement to the judge. If everything meets legal requirements under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3, the decree gets entered without an appearance. This saves time and court costs.

Baca County uses standard Colorado court forms. Download form JDF 1010 for the petition and JDF 1019 for the final decree from the state forms library. Instructions come with each form. The divorce self-help page explains the process step by step.

Online Case Search

CoCourts.com includes Baca County in its statewide search. You can search by name or case number for $10.00 or less. Results show a Register of Action with filing dates, court events, and decree entry dates. This helps you find the case number and verify basic facts before requesting copies.

The Register of Action lists case activity but not the full documents. To get the actual divorce decree, contact the Baca County Clerk after finding the case online. The search just makes it easier to locate the right case and confirm it was filed in Baca County.

Commercial services like Background Information Services also search Colorado court records. These pull from the same state system but may offer different search features or pricing.

Record Access and Privacy

Most divorce decrees are public records in Colorado. Parties to the case have direct access. Others with legal interests can also request records. Some files have sealed portions if they contain protected information like child safety details or confidential financial data. The clerk reviews access for restricted cases before releasing documents.

When a decree is entered, the clerk notifies the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120. CDPHE maintains a verification index but not full decrees. For actual decree copies, contact the Baca County Court.

Baca County Filing

Baca County does not have cities with populations over 25,000. All county residents file divorce cases at the Baca District Court in Springfield. The courthouse on Main Street is the only filing location for dissolution of marriage cases in Baca County.

Other 15th Judicial District Counties

Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Prowers counties share the 15th Judicial District with Baca County. Each county maintains its own clerk's office and case files. File in the county where you or your spouse lives.