Chaffee County Divorce Records

Chaffee County divorce decree records are maintained by the Chaffee County Combined Court as part of Colorado's 11th Judicial District. The District Court in Salida handles all dissolution of marriage cases for Chaffee County residents. Whether you need to find a divorce decree from a recent case or search for historical records, the Combined Court Clerk's office can help with record requests and case information. Located in the Arkansas Valley, Chaffee County serves families throughout the Upper Arkansas River region with divorce proceedings and decree issuance.

Chaffee County Combined Court

The Chaffee County Combined Court serves as the primary location for all divorce decree records filed in Chaffee County. This court is part of Colorado's 11th Judicial District, which also includes Custer, Fremont, and Park counties. The Clerk's office in Salida maintains files for dissolution of marriage cases and provides copies of divorce decrees to the public.

Staff at the Combined Court can search for divorce cases by party names or case number. If you know when the divorce was finalized, that helps narrow down the search. Bring photo ID when requesting records in person. Office hours are Monday through Friday, and the courthouse is located in Salida, the county seat of Chaffee County.

You can request divorce decree records from the Chaffee County Combined Court by visiting in person, calling, or submitting an online request. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a records request form that routes to the appropriate court. Chaffee County processes most requests within three business days unless the case file requires retrieval from off-site storage.

The 11th Judicial District handles family law matters for a large geographic area in central Colorado. Chaffee County cases are heard by district judges who rotate through the four counties. The Clerk's office coordinates with other district locations when needed but maintains all Chaffee County divorce files locally in Salida.

Getting Your Divorce Decree

Chaffee County offers several methods to obtain divorce decree records. In-person requests at the courthouse work well if you need certified copies quickly. The Clerk's staff can pull files and make copies while you wait for most cases. Fees apply based on the number of pages and whether you need certification.

The online records request system through the Colorado Judicial Branch is convenient for remote requests. Fill out the records request form and select Chaffee County. Include both parties' names and an approximate date range for the divorce. The court will contact you about fees and availability. This method works for people who live far from Salida or cannot visit during business hours.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send your request to the Chaffee County Combined Court with as much case information as possible. Include your contact information and a return address. The court will notify you of copy fees before processing. Allow extra time for mail requests compared to in-person visits.

Standard Colorado court fees apply to Chaffee County divorce decree copies. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20.00 per document regardless of length. If you are a party to your own divorce case, the maximum fee is $15.00 for copies no matter how many pages. Non-parties pay the full per-page rate. A name search fee of $5.00 applies if you need the court to locate a case without a case number.

Search Chaffee Divorce Cases Online

CoCourts.com provides online access to Chaffee County divorce decree case information. This database covers all 11th Judicial District cases, including those filed in Chaffee County. You can search by name or case number to find dissolution of marriage cases. Searches cost $10.00 or less and show the Register of Action for each case.

The Register of Action displays case activity such as filing dates, hearing schedules, and decree entry dates. It does not include copies of the actual divorce decree document. After locating a case on CoCourts, you need to contact the Chaffee County Combined Court to request the decree itself. The database helps confirm case numbers and filing information before making a formal records request.

Visit cocourts.com to search for Chaffee County divorce records now. The site provides real-time data from the Colorado court system. Other third-party services like Background Information Services also offer Colorado court record searches.

Filing for Divorce in Chaffee County

Colorado law requires at least one spouse to live in the state for 91 days before filing a divorce petition. This rule applies to all Chaffee County dissolution cases under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. You file the petition at the Combined Court Clerk's office in Salida. The filing fee is $230.00, which includes the displaced homemaker fee required by Colorado law.

After filing, a mandatory 91-day waiting period begins. The court cannot finalize a divorce until 91 days after obtaining jurisdiction over both parties. This wait applies to all cases, even when both spouses agree on all terms. During the waiting period, temporary orders for child support, parenting time, or spousal maintenance can be requested if needed.

Chaffee County allows uncontested divorce procedures for couples who agree on property division, debt allocation, and parenting matters. Form JDF 1018 permits the court to enter a decree without a hearing when all requirements are met. The final decree must address all issues required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120, including property division and parental responsibilities if children are involved.

Colorado provides self-help forms through the Judicial Branch website. The JDF form series covers dissolution petitions, responses, and final decrees. Chaffee County residents can access these forms online and bring them to the courthouse for filing. The clerk cannot provide legal advice but can help with procedural questions.

Historical Divorce Records

The Colorado State Archives holds historical Chaffee County divorce records dating from 1879 to 1955. Both District Court and County Court records are available at the Archives for this time period. Cases over 100 years old are fully public, while newer records remain restricted until reaching the 100-year mark.

To access historical Chaffee County divorce decrees, search the Archives database at archives.colorado.gov. You need the case number and approximate year. Submit a formal request through the Archives portal at archives.colorado.gov/request. Processing can take up to 10 business days depending on storage location and record condition.

For Chaffee County divorce cases from 1955 to present, contact the Combined Court in Salida directly. These records remain at the courthouse and have not been transferred to the State Archives. The court maintains all modern case files and can provide copies of decrees from any year after 1955.

Note: Divorce records at the State Archives may require verification of identity or relationship to the parties. Bring government-issued photo ID when visiting the Archives in person. Mail requests need a copy of your ID included with the request form.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to Chaffee County. Each maintains its own divorce records through the local District Court. Make sure you file in the county where you or your spouse resides.