Kit Carson County Divorce Decree Lookup

Kit Carson County divorce decree records are maintained by the 13th Judicial District Court in Burlington. The court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. You can search for case information using online databases or request official copies from the clerk's office. Kit Carson County is located in eastern Colorado near the Kansas border. The court serves residents in Burlington and surrounding communities. All divorce records 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 for specific legal reasons.

Kit Carson County Court

The 13th Judicial District serves Kit Carson County along with Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma counties. Court offices for Kit Carson County are in Burlington 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 of divorce decrees. Hours run from morning until late afternoon on weekdays. Calling ahead helps ensure the office is open and staff can assist you when you arrive.

Most people visit in person if they need records quickly. The clerk can search by name if you do not have a case number, but this takes more time than searching by case number. Bring identification in case the file contains sealed or confidential information. Some cases have restricted access to protect privacy or safety. Most divorce decrees are public records that anyone can request by following the proper procedures.

Check the Kit Carson County Court website for current contact information and office hours. The site provides phone numbers, addresses, and links to online forms for requesting records.

How to Get Divorce Decree Copies

The fastest way to find your case is through CoCourts.com, an online database run by LexisNexis. 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 gives you the case number but not the actual documents. CoCourts provides a summary of case activity only.

Once you have the case number, submit a formal request using the Colorado Judicial Branch online records request form. The form routes your request to the right court. Kit Carson 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 cost $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.

You can also mail your request to the courthouse in Burlington. 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.

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 and may have different pricing structures than CoCourts.

Divorce Filing Requirements

One spouse must live in Colorado for 91 days before filing for divorce. This residency requirement comes from C.R.S. § 14-10-106. You file in the county where either spouse lives. Most Kit Carson County residents file in Burlington. The petition for dissolution of marriage starts the case and triggers automatic temporary orders that prevent both parties from selling assets, removing children from Colorado, 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 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 through mediation or negotiation. Others need a trial if they cannot agree on major issues. The judge makes final decisions based on evidence and Colorado law.

If both parties agree on all terms and there are no minor children, 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 process 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 Kit Carson County divorce decree lists 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 parenting time schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and child support orders. The decree divides all marital property and debts between the spouses. This includes real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement plans, and personal belongings. Each party's share is spelled out clearly.

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

Online Case Search

CoCourts.com provides access to Kit Carson 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 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 Resources

You do not need a lawyer to file for divorce in Colorado. The Colorado Judicial Branch offers 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 based on financial need. 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 over 18, 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 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 Records

Older Kit Carson 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 Burlington. Check with the Archives to see what they have from Kit Carson County before submitting a formal 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

Kit Carson County borders Yuma County to the north and Cheyenne County to the south. Lincoln County lies to the west. If your divorce was filed in one of these counties instead of Kit Carson, you need to contact that county's District Court for records.

The 13th Judicial District includes Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma counties. Other nearby counties belong to different judicial districts. Make sure you know which county handled your case before requesting records.