Kiowa County Divorce Records

Divorce decree records for Kiowa County are held by the 15th Judicial District Court in Eads. The court maintains all dissolution of marriage files for cases filed in the county. You can search for case information using online databases or request official copies from the clerk. Kiowa County is a rural county in eastern Colorado. The court serves residents in Eads and surrounding communities. All divorce records are stored at the District Court. You need the names of both parties or a case number to request copies. Most records are public unless sealed by court order for specific reasons like domestic violence or child safety concerns.

District Court Information

The 15th Judicial District serves Kiowa County along with Baca, Cheyenne, and Prowers counties. Court offices for Kiowa County are in Eads at the county courthouse. All family law cases including divorce get filed here. The clerk's office can help you locate case files and explain how to request certified copies of divorce decrees. Hours may be limited in smaller rural counties, so it helps to call ahead before visiting. Staff can tell you what documents to bring and confirm office hours.

In-person visits work well when you need records quickly or have questions about your case. The clerk can search by name if you do not have a case number. This takes longer but helps when you only know one party's name. Bring identification in case the file is sealed or contains protected information. Most divorce records are public, but some have restricted access based on court orders.

Visit the Kiowa County Court page for current contact information and office hours. The court website provides phone numbers, addresses, and links to online forms for requesting records.

Requesting Divorce Decree Copies

Start by searching for your case on CoCourts.com, a database run by LexisNexis that provides access to Colorado court records. You can search by name for $10 or less. The site shows the register of actions, which lists all filings, hearings, and court orders in your case. This helps you get the case number. CoCourts does not provide actual document copies, only a summary of case activity.

Once you have the case number, submit a formal request through the Colorado Judicial Branch online records request form. The form routes your request to the appropriate court. Kiowa County staff will respond with instructions on how to pay fees and when to expect your documents. Certified copies cost $20 per document. Regular photocopies are $0.25 per page. If you were a party to the divorce, your total fee is capped at $15 no matter how many pages you need.

You can also mail your request to the courthouse in Eads. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and your contact information. Send a check or money order for the estimated fees. The court will contact you if more payment is needed. Processing time varies based on how busy the clerk's office is and whether files need to be retrieved from off-site storage.

Two other vendors offer court record searches. Background Information Services serves both individuals and businesses. Tessera Data works with businesses only. Both pull data from Colorado courts and may have different pricing than CoCourts.

Filing for Divorce in Kiowa County

Colorado requires one spouse to live in the state for at least 91 days before filing for divorce. This residency requirement appears in C.R.S. § 14-10-106. You file in the county where either spouse lives. Most Kiowa County residents file in Eads. The petition for dissolution of marriage starts the case. Filing triggers automatic temporary orders that prevent both parties from selling property, removing children from Colorado, or changing insurance coverage without permission or a court order.

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

When both parties agree on all terms and there are no minor children involved, Colorado allows the divorce to proceed without a court hearing. You file an affidavit for decree without appearance as outlined in C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3. The judge reviews the paperwork and signs the decree if everything meets legal requirements. This saves time and court costs for straightforward uncontested cases.

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

What's in a Divorce Decree

A Kiowa County divorce decree shows the names of both parties and the date of marriage. It states the date the marriage was dissolved. If there are minor children, the decree includes custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and child support orders. The decree divides all marital property and debts between the spouses. This covers real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal belongings. Each party's share is spelled out in detail.

Some decrees award spousal maintenance. The order states the amount, frequency, and duration of payments. Health insurance obligations and tax filing issues 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 sends notice to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment after each divorce. CDPHE keeps vital statistics but does not store actual copies of 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 Case Search Options

CoCourts.com provides access to Kiowa 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. You cannot view actual documents through CoCourts. 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 only works with businesses. Both pull data from Colorado courts. They may have different features and pricing than CoCourts. For official certified copies that can be used for legal purposes, always contact the court clerk.

Self-Help Forms and Resources

You do not need a lawyer to file for divorce in Colorado. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides free forms and instructions on its website. Form JDF 1011 is the petition for dissolution of marriage. Form JDF 1015 is the response if you are replying to a petition. Form JDF 1019 is the final decree. Step-by-step guides 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 by filing a motion to file without payment. 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. The court cannot proceed without valid proof of service.

Court Record Copy Fees

Copying fees in Colorado courts are set by the Chief Justice. Regular paper 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 of work.

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 without the cap. The limit helps people get their own divorce decrees without excessive costs.

Historical Divorce Records

Older Kiowa 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 Eads. Check with the Archives to see what they have from Kiowa County before submitting a request.

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 walk you through the request process.

Nearby Counties

Kiowa County borders Cheyenne County to the north and Prowers County to the south. Bent County lies to the west. Crowley County is to the northwest. If your divorce was filed in one of these counties instead of Kiowa, you need to contact that county's District Court for records.

The 15th Judicial District includes Kiowa, Baca, Cheyenne, and Prowers counties. Other nearby counties belong to different judicial districts. Make sure you know which county handled your case before requesting records.