Find Jackson County Divorce Decrees

Jackson County divorce decree records are maintained by the 8th Judicial District Court in Walden. The court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. You can search for case information through online databases or request official copies from the clerk's office. Jackson County is one of the smallest counties in Colorado by population. The court serves residents in Walden and the surrounding rural areas. All divorce records from Jackson County are stored at the District Court. You will need the names of both parties or a case number to request copies. Most records are public unless sealed by court order.

Jackson County Court

The 8th Judicial District serves Jackson County and Larimer County. Court offices for Jackson County are in Walden at the county courthouse. All family law matters including divorce get filed here. The clerk's office can help you locate case files and explain how to request certified copies. Hours are limited in smaller counties like Jackson, so calling ahead is a good idea. Staff can tell you what to bring and when the office is open.

Most people visit in person if they need records quickly or have questions about their case. The clerk can search by name if you do not have a case number, but this takes more time. Bring a photo ID in case the file contains protected information. Some cases have sealed portions to protect privacy or safety. Most divorce decrees are public records that anyone can request.

Check the Jackson County Court website for current contact information and office hours. The site provides phone numbers, addresses, and links to online forms for record requests.

Requesting Divorce Decree Copies

The easiest way to find your case is through CoCourts.com. This online database lets you search by name for $10 or less. The site shows the register of actions, which lists all filings, hearings, and court orders. You cannot view actual documents through CoCourts, but you can get the case number. Once you have the number, submit a formal request using the Colorado Judicial Branch online records request form.

Jackson County staff will respond with instructions on how to pay fees and when to expect your documents. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $20 per document. Regular photocopies are $0.25 per page. If you were a party to the divorce, state rules cap your total fee at $15 no matter how many pages you need. This limit helps people get their own records without high costs.

You can also mail your request to the courthouse in Walden. Include the names of both parties, the year the divorce was filed or finalized, and your contact information. Send a check or money order for the estimated fees. The court will let you know if more payment is needed. Processing time depends on how busy the clerk's office is and whether files are stored on-site or off-site.

Divorce Filing Requirements

One spouse must live in Colorado for 91 days before filing for divorce. This rule comes from C.R.S. § 14-10-106. You file in the county where either spouse lives. Most Jackson County residents file in Walden. The petition for dissolution of marriage starts the case. Filing triggers automatic temporary orders that prevent both parties from selling assets, removing children from the state, or changing insurance policies without permission or court approval.

Colorado law requires a 91-day waiting period from the date of filing to the final decree. No divorce can be finalized faster than this. The waiting period gives both parties time to negotiate property division, debt allocation, and parenting plans if there are children. Some couples settle everything without going to court. Others need a trial if they cannot agree. The judge makes final decisions based on Colorado law and the evidence presented.

If both parties agree on all terms and there are no minor children, the divorce can proceed without a court hearing. You file an affidavit for decree without appearance under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3. The judge reviews the paperwork and signs the decree if everything is in order. This process saves time and court costs for uncontested cases.

Note: Filing a divorce petition costs $230, which includes the displaced homemaker fee required by state law.

What a Divorce Decree Contains

A Jackson County divorce decree lists the names of both parties and the date of marriage. It states the date the marriage was legally dissolved. If there are minor children, the decree includes parenting time schedules and decision-making responsibilities. Child support amounts get spelled out with payment instructions. The decree divides all marital property and debts. This includes real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement plans, and personal belongings.

Some decrees award spousal maintenance. The order states the amount, frequency, and duration of payments. Health insurance obligations and tax filing status often appear as well. Both parties receive a certified copy when the judge signs the final decree. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-120, the decree is final when entered, but either party can appeal within the time allowed by court rules.

The clerk notifies the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment about each divorce. CDPHE keeps vital statistics but does not have copies of actual decrees. They can verify that a divorce happened but cannot provide court documents. For copies, you must contact the District Court where the case was filed.

Online Database Options

CoCourts.com provides access to Jackson County divorce case information. The database updates in real time from court systems across Colorado. You can see when documents were filed and when hearings took place. The register of actions shows a timeline of the case but not the actual documents. To get copies of the decree or other filings, you need to contact the court directly.

Background Information Services and Tessera Data also offer court record searches. BISI serves individuals and businesses. Tessera works with businesses only. Both pull data from Colorado courts. They may have different fees and features than CoCourts. For official certified copies, always contact the court clerk.

Self-Help Resources

You do not need a lawyer to file for divorce in Colorado. The Colorado Judicial Branch offers free forms and guides on its website. Form JDF 1011 is the petition for dissolution of marriage. Form JDF 1015 is the response. Form JDF 1019 is the final decree. Instructions explain how to fill out each form and what to file with the court.

The filing fee is $230 for the petition. If you cannot afford this, you can ask the court to waive the fee. File a motion to file without payment and include information about your income and expenses. The judge decides whether to grant the waiver. Filing a response costs $116.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of the petition and summons. You cannot do this yourself. A friend, professional process server, or sheriff can serve the papers. Proof of service must be filed with the court to show the other party received proper notice.

Court Record Fees

Copying fees in Colorado courts are set by the Chief Justice. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document. A transcript of judgment costs $25. Name searches cost $5 if you do not have a case number. If files are stored off-site, you may pay the actual cost of retrieval. Research and redaction fees can apply for complex requests at $30 per hour after the first hour.

If you were a party to the case, your total fee is capped at $15 for copies of your own records. This does not apply to non-parties. Third parties requesting records pay the full fees. The cap helps people get their own divorce decrees without excessive costs.

Archived Records

Older Jackson County divorce cases may be held at the Colorado State Archives. The Archives stores historical court records from many Colorado counties. Not all years are available for every county. Most recent cases remain at the District Court in Walden. Check with the Archives to see what they have from Jackson County.

Cases over 100 years old are fully open to the public. More recent archived cases have restricted access. You may need to prove your relationship to the parties or show a legitimate reason for requesting the records. The Archives staff can explain their holdings and the request process.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County borders Larimer County to the south. Grand County is to the west. Routt County lies to the northwest. If your divorce was filed in one of these counties instead of Jackson, you need to contact that county's District Court for records.

The 8th Judicial District includes Jackson and Larimer counties. Other nearby counties belong to different judicial districts and have separate court systems. Make sure you know which county handled your case before requesting records.