Hinsdale County Dissolution Records

Hinsdale County maintains divorce decree records through the 7th Judicial District Court in Lake City. This is Colorado's smallest county by population and shares the 7th District with five other counties. The District Court Clerk in Lake City keeps all Hinsdale County dissolution of marriage files. Anyone seeking a Hinsdale County divorce decree requests it from the Lake City courthouse. The clerk provides certified copies, regular copies, and case search services for residents and former residents who need their divorce records.

7th District Court in Hinsdale County

Lake City serves as the county seat for Hinsdale County. The courthouse there handles all divorce filings for the county. As Colorado's least populous county, Hinsdale County processes fewer dissolution cases than most other counties. The clerk's office is open during business hours for walk-in visits. Staff can search files, answer questions, and provide copies of divorce decrees.

In-person visits work well in Hinsdale County because of the small caseload. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Without a case number, the clerk can search using both parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce. If the file is on site, you'll likely get copies the same day. Older files may need to be retrieved from storage, which can take longer.

Check the 7th Judicial District Court page for Hinsdale County for current information. The website lists phone numbers, office hours, and the courthouse address in Lake City. Small counties sometimes have limited hours or seasonal changes to their schedules, so verify before traveling.

You can also request Hinsdale County divorce decrees through the Colorado Judicial Branch online records request form. Select Hinsdale County and fill out your case information. Provide both parties' names and any other details you have. The court will contact you about fees and processing time within a few business days.

Obtaining Hinsdale Divorce Decrees

Mail requests work for people who can't visit Lake City in person. Send a letter to the Hinsdale County District Court Clerk stating what you need. Include both parties' full names, the case number if you have it, and the approximate year of divorce. Add your return address and phone number. The clerk will search for the file and contact you about copy fees. Once you pay, they'll mail the documents to you.

Copy fees in Hinsdale County follow Colorado's standard schedule. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20.00 per document regardless of length. If you're a party to the divorce, you pay a maximum of $15.00 for all copies no matter how many pages. Non-parties pay the full per-page rate. A name search costs $5.00 when you don't have a case number. Research fees of $30.00 per hour apply after the first hour for complex requests.

Phone the clerk's office to ask questions before submitting a formal request. Staff can verify whether a case exists, confirm basic dates, and explain the process for getting copies. They won't read entire documents over the phone, but they can provide helpful guidance about what you need to do.

Finding Hinsdale County Cases

CoCourts.com provides online access to Hinsdale County divorce case information. This database covers all Colorado district courts. Search by party name or case number to locate dissolution cases filed in Hinsdale County. The service charges up to $10.00 per search and returns a Register of Action.

The Register of Action shows case events and dates including when the petition was filed, hearing dates, and when the decree was entered. It doesn't include the actual text of the decree or other filed documents. Use the register to find your case number and verify dates. Then contact Hinsdale County District Court to get full copies of the decree.

Visit cocourts.com to search Hinsdale County records. Other commercial services like Background Information Services also offer Colorado court record searches. These databases provide convenient online access but charge fees for searches.

Filing in Hinsdale County

Colorado requires one spouse to live in the state for 91 days before filing for dissolution. This residency requirement comes from C.R.S. § 14-10-106. File at the Hinsdale County courthouse if you or your spouse lives in Hinsdale County and meets the residency requirement.

Start the case by filing a petition for dissolution with the clerk. Pay the $230.00 filing fee, which includes the displaced homemaker fee required by state law. If you can't afford the fee, ask about a fee waiver. The court has forms for people who qualify based on low income.

After filing and service on the respondent, a 91-day waiting period begins. The court cannot enter a final decree until 91 days have passed since acquiring jurisdiction over the respondent. This mandatory wait applies to all Hinsdale County dissolution cases. During the waiting period, temporary orders can address urgent matters like support or custody. Many cases settle during this time without going to trial.

Uncontested cases can use form JDF 1018 to get a decree without a court hearing. Both parties sign an affidavit agreeing to all terms. The judge reviews the paperwork and signs the decree if it meets requirements. This works when there are no minor children and the wife isn't pregnant, or when both sides have attorneys with a separation agreement. The details are in C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3.

The decree becomes final when signed by the judge. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-120, it takes effect immediately even though there's a right to appeal. The clerk sends notice to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This creates a state verification record of the divorce.

Nearby Counties

Hinsdale County shares the 7th Judicial District with five other counties. Each county maintains separate files at their own courthouses. For divorces filed in those counties, contact the courthouse in that county.