Bent County Divorce Records

Bent County divorce decrees are filed and maintained at the District Court in Las Animas. The court serves the 16th Judicial District, which includes Bent, Crowley, and Otero counties in southeastern Colorado. When you file a dissolution of marriage case in Bent County, all documents and decrees stay on file with the clerk's office in Las Animas. The clerk handles requests for copies of divorce decrees, provides certified and uncertified copies, and helps people locate their case files. Most requests can be processed within a few business days if you provide the necessary information.

Bent County District Court

The Bent County Combined Court operates from the courthouse in Las Animas. This office maintains all divorce decree files for the county. The clerk's staff process record requests, make copies, and answer questions about accessing court documents. Office hours run Monday through Friday, making it convenient for most people to visit or call during the work week.

Bent County is part of the 16th Judicial District along with Crowley and Otero counties. District judges hear cases in all three counties, traveling between courthouses as needed. But each county keeps its own files. If you filed your divorce in Bent County, the records stay in Las Animas even if a judge from another county in the district handled your hearing.

To find out more about Bent County divorce decree services, visit the court website or contact the clerk's office directly. The online records request form through Colorado Courts also routes Bent County requests to the local staff.

Processing time depends on the type of request and whether the file is on-site. Simple requests for recent cases often get handled quickly. Files stored off-site need retrieval time, which can add a few days to the process. Call ahead if your divorce is older to check if the file needs to be pulled from storage.

How to Obtain Divorce Decrees

The fastest way to get a Bent County divorce decree is to visit the clerk's office in person. Bring photo ID and your case number if you have it. The clerk can search by party names if you do not know the case number. They look up the file and make copies while you wait if the file is available on-site. Pay the copy fee before leaving with your documents.

You can submit online requests through the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form. Select Bent County from the dropdown menu. Fill in both party names, approximate filing date, and what documents you need. The clerk reviews the request and contacts you with fee information and next steps. Most people get a response within three business days.

Mail requests also work for Bent County. Write a letter with your name, contact details, case information, and what you want. Mail it to Bent Combined Court, 13065 US Highway 50, Las Animas, CO 81054. The clerk replies with the total cost for copies. Send payment by check or money order. Your copies arrive by mail after payment is received and processed. This method takes longer but works if you cannot visit in person.

Copy fees follow the standard Colorado court fee schedule. Regular copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20.00 per document regardless of page count. If you were a party to the divorce, you pay a maximum of $15.00 for your own records no matter how many pages. Non-parties pay per page with no cap. A $5.00 name search fee applies if the clerk needs to find your case number. Research fees of $30.00 per hour apply for complex requests that take significant staff time.

Historical Bent County Divorce Records

The Colorado State Archives holds some historical Bent County divorce records. According to Archives documentation, they have Bent County District Court divorce records from 1904 to 1912 and from 1977 to 1990. If your divorce falls within those date ranges, check the Archives divorce collection page for more information.

For divorces outside those years, contact the Bent County Court. Recent cases and those from gaps in Archives holdings remain at the courthouse in Las Animas. The clerk maintains files indefinitely, so even cases from the 1950s through 1970s may still be at the courthouse rather than transferred to the Archives.

To request from the Archives, search the Archives database online. You need the case number and year. If you find the case, submit a request through the Archives portal. Processing takes up to 10 business days. The Archives is located at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203.

Filing for Dissolution in Bent County

You can file for divorce in Bent County if you or your spouse lives here. Colorado requires 91 days of state residency before filing under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. File your petition with the clerk in Las Animas. The filing fee is $230.00, which covers court costs and the displaced homemaker fee mandated by state law.

A 91-day waiting period starts after filing. The court cannot enter a final decree until 91 days pass from when it gets jurisdiction over both spouses. This wait gives time to resolve property division, support, and parenting issues. Temporary orders can be requested during the waiting period if you need immediate rulings on custody or support matters.

Many Bent County divorces settle without a trial. When both parties agree on all terms, you can finalize by affidavit using form JDF 1018. This lets you avoid a court appearance. The judge reviews your written agreement and supporting documents. If everything complies with C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3, the decree gets entered without a hearing. This process is faster and less expensive than going to trial.

Bent County uses standard Colorado court forms. Download form JDF 1010 for the petition and JDF 1019 for the final decree from the state courts forms page. The divorce self-help resources provide instructions for filling out each form and completing the process.

Online Database Search

CoCourts.com covers Bent County in its statewide database. You can search by name or case number for $10.00 or less. The search returns a Register of Action showing case events like filing dates, court hearings, and when the decree was entered. This helps you find the case number and verify basic information before ordering copies from the clerk.

The Register of Action is not the same as the decree itself. It shows case activity and docket entries but not full documents. After finding your case on CoCourts, contact the Bent County Clerk to get copies of the actual decree. The online search just makes it easier to locate the right case and confirm details before making a formal request.

Record Access and Confidentiality

Most divorce decrees in Colorado are public records. Parties to the case have direct access to their own files. Attorneys, family members with legal needs, and others with direct interests can also request records. Some files have sealed portions if they contain protected information like child welfare concerns or confidential financial account numbers.

When the court enters a decree, it sends notice to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120. CDPHE keeps a verification index but does not maintain full decree copies. For actual documents, you must contact the Bent County Court.

Restricted cases require additional steps for access. If a judge ordered parts of a file sealed, you may need to show ID and explain your reason for requesting the records. The clerk reviews restricted requests before releasing any documents. Standard cases without special protections are open for public inspection and copying.

Filing in Bent County

Bent County does not have cities with populations over 25,000. All county residents file divorce cases at the Bent District Court in Las Animas. The courthouse on US Highway 50 is the only filing location for dissolution of marriage cases in Bent County.

Other 16th Judicial District Counties

Crowley and Otero counties share the 16th Judicial District with Bent County. Each county maintains its own clerk's office and case files. Make sure you file in the county where you or your spouse actually lives.