Boulder County Divorce Decree Search

Boulder County maintains divorce decree records at the District Court serving the 20th Judicial District. This district covers only Boulder County, making it one of the few single-county judicial districts in Colorado. When you file for dissolution of marriage in Boulder County, all case documents and decrees remain on file with the clerk's office at the Boulder County Justice Center. The clerk provides public access to divorce records, handles copy requests, and assists people in locating their case files. Most record requests get processed within a few business days.

Boulder County District Court

The Boulder County Combined Court operates from the Justice Center on Pearl Street in Boulder. The clerk's office keeps all divorce decree files for the county. Staff process record requests, make copies, and answer questions about accessing court documents. The office stays busy due to Boulder County's large population, so using the online request form or calling ahead can save time.

Boulder County makes up the entire 20th Judicial District. Unlike most districts that cover multiple counties, the 20th serves only Boulder County. This means all district court judges work exclusively in Boulder County. All divorce cases filed here stay in this one court system, making it straightforward to locate records.

The clerk processes most requests within three business days under normal circumstances. Complex requests or files stored off-site may take longer. If your divorce is more than 20 years old, the file might be in storage and need retrieval before copies can be made. An off-site retrieval fee may apply in those cases.

Obtaining Boulder Divorce Records

In-person requests work well if you live near Boulder. Visit the clerk's office on the first floor of the Justice Center. Bring photo ID and your case number if you have it. The clerk can search by party names if you lack a case number. They locate the file and make copies while you wait if the file is on-site. Pay before leaving with your documents.

The online records request form is efficient for Boulder County. Select Boulder County from the dropdown. Enter both party names, approximate filing date, and specify what documents you need. The clerk reviews your request and contacts you with fee information. After payment, they send copies by mail or notify you when they are ready for pickup.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter with your name, contact information, case details, and the documents you need. Mail it to Boulder County Combined Court, 1777 6th Street, Boulder, CO 80302. 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 for people who live outside the area.

Fees are standardized across Colorado courts. Regular 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 regardless of page count. Non-parties pay the full per-page rate. A $5.00 name search fee applies if the clerk needs to locate your case number. Complex research requests incur $30.00 per hour after the first hour of clerk time.

Historical Boulder County Divorces

The Colorado State Archives holds extensive Boulder County divorce records. According to Archives records, they have Boulder County District Court divorces from 1867 to 1995 and County Court divorces from 1873 to 1983. This makes Boulder County one of the best-documented counties at the Archives for historical divorce records.

If your divorce falls within those date ranges, check the Archives divorce collection page. The Archives also has specific information about Boulder County divorce records including access procedures and restrictions.

For divorces from 1996 to present, contact the Boulder County Court directly. Recent cases remain at the courthouse and have not been transferred to the Archives yet. To request from the Archives, search the Archives database. You need the case number and year. Submit a request through their portal if you find the case. Processing takes up to 10 business days. The Archives is in Denver at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 1B-20.

Note that divorce records at the Archives are restricted for 100 years from the filing date. Cases over 100 years old are fully public. Cases less than 100 years old require proof of direct interest and photo ID.

Filing for Divorce in Boulder County

To file in Boulder County, you or your spouse must live here. Colorado law under C.R.S. § 14-10-106 requires 91 days of state residency before filing. File your petition at the clerk's office on the first floor of the Justice Center. The filing fee is $230.00, which includes court costs and the displaced homemaker fee.

A mandatory 91-day waiting period begins 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, support, and parenting issues. You can request temporary orders during this period if needed. The 91-day rule is set by state statute and applies to all Colorado divorces.

Many Boulder County divorces are uncontested. When both parties agree on all terms, you can finalize without a court hearing using form JDF 1018. Both parties submit affidavits and a written agreement. If everything meets legal requirements under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3, the judge signs the decree without requiring an appearance. This saves time and court costs.

Boulder 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. The divorce self-help page provides step-by-step instructions for completing the forms and process.

Online Boulder County Case Search

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

The Register of Action lists case activity but not full documents. To get the actual divorce decree, contact the Boulder County Clerk after finding the case online. The online search just makes it easier to locate the right case and confirm it exists in Boulder County before making a formal records request.

Other commercial services also search Colorado court records. Background Information Services and Tessera Data provide access to court records, though Tessera is business-to-business only. These services pull from the same state court system but may offer different features or pricing.

Access to Divorce Records

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

When a decree is entered, the clerk sends notice to 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, you must contact the Boulder County Court.

Suppressed cases require additional verification. If a judge ordered access restrictions, you may need to show ID and explain your reason for requesting records. The clerk reviews these requests before releasing any documents. Standard cases without special protections are open for public inspection and copying.

Cities in Boulder County

Boulder County has two cities with populations over 25,000. Residents of these cities file divorce cases at the Boulder County District Court on 6th Street in Boulder. Municipal courts handle traffic and code violations but not family law matters.

Nearby Counties

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