Find Lincoln County Divorce Decrees

Divorce decree records for Lincoln County are handled by the 18th Judicial District Court, which maintains all dissolution of marriage files for cases filed in the county. The court is based in Hugo, Colorado. Lincoln County is part of a larger judicial district that also includes Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert counties. If you need a divorce decree from Lincoln County, you should contact the District Court clerk in Hugo. They can search for your case by name or case number. Most people use online databases like CoCourts to find their case number first, which makes the formal request process faster. The court provides copies for a fee. Parties to the case pay less than non-parties under state rules. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the online records request form maintained by the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Lincoln County Court Location

The 18th Judicial District Court serves Lincoln County from Hugo. This court handles all family law matters for Lincoln County residents, including divorce decrees, legal separations, and parenting time disputes. The 18th District is one of the larger judicial districts in Colorado. It covers four counties, but each county maintains its own clerk's office. For Lincoln County cases, you must contact the Hugo location.

Court staff can help you find case files and request copies. Bring photo ID if you plan to visit in person. Some cases involve sealed or confidential information that requires identity verification. The clerk's office searches by name if you do not have a case number, but this takes more time. Calling ahead to check hours and procedures is a good idea, especially for rural courthouses with limited staff.

Visit the Lincoln County Court website for contact information, directions, and office hours. The court's main page also links to forms and resources for people seeking divorce decrees or other court records.

Getting a Lincoln County Divorce Decree

You can request a divorce decree by using the online records request form provided by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Fill out the form with both parties' names and the case number if you have it. The form routes your request to the right courthouse. Without a case number, the clerk searches by name. This works but takes longer.

Fees apply for all copies. 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 case, your maximum fee is $15 no matter how many pages you request. This applies under Chief Justice Directive 06-01. Non-parties pay the full rate. Research and redaction fees may apply for complex requests, charged at $30 per hour after the first hour.

To find your case number, try CoCourts.com. This database, run by LexisNexis, lets you search by name for $10 or less. The results show the register of actions, which lists every filing and order in the case. You will not get the actual documents, but you will get the case number. This speeds up your formal request to the Lincoln County clerk.

Mail requests can be sent to the courthouse in Hugo. Include your name, contact information, the case details, and payment. You can also email the records department. Check the court's website for the current email address.

Other vendors also provide court record searches. Background Information Services and Tessera Data both pull data from Colorado courts. BISI serves both individuals and businesses. Tessera works only with businesses. Both charge fees for access.

Lincoln County Divorce Laws

Colorado requires one party to live in the state for 91 days before filing for divorce. This rule comes from C.R.S. § 14-10-106. The case must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. Lincoln County residents file their cases in Hugo. The court has jurisdiction as long as one party meets the residency requirement.

After filing, the court waits 91 days before entering a final decree. This is a mandatory waiting period. No divorce in Colorado can be finalized faster than this. The waiting period gives both parties time to work out property division, parenting time, and support issues. Some couples settle through mediation. Others go to trial if they cannot agree. The decree cannot be entered until at least 91 days have passed since the court acquired jurisdiction over the respondent.

Colorado is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing by either party. The court only requires a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This standard is set out in the same statute that governs residency. It simplifies the process and avoids fights over who caused the breakdown.

When both parties agree on all terms and there are no minor children, the court may grant the divorce without a hearing. This process uses an affidavit authorized by C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3. The judge reviews the paperwork and signs the decree if everything is in order. This saves time for straightforward cases.

Note: Filing a petition for dissolution in Lincoln County costs $230, including the displaced homemaker fee required under state law.

What's in a Divorce Decree

A divorce decree lists the basic facts of the case. It shows the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and the date the marriage was dissolved. If there are minor children, the decree includes parenting time schedules and child support orders. The document divides property and debts. Real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, and other assets get allocated between the spouses.

Spousal maintenance may be awarded in some cases. The decree states the amount and duration. It may also address tax issues and insurance coverage. Both parties receive a certified copy when the judge signs the final order. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-120, the decree is final when entered, though either party can appeal within the allowed time.

The clerk of court notifies the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment about every divorce. This helps the state keep vital statistics records current. CDPHE can verify that a divorce occurred but does not have copies of decrees. For actual documents, contact the District Court.

Online Search for Lincoln Cases

Most Lincoln County divorce cases appear in online databases within days of filing. CoCourts.com shows the register of actions for both current and past cases. The register lists every filing, hearing date, and court order. You can see when the petition was filed and when the decree was signed. But you cannot view the actual documents through CoCourts.

For the documents themselves, you must submit a formal request to the court. The state's online records request form routes your request to the Lincoln County clerk. Staff will respond with instructions on how to get copies and pay fees.

Self-Help Resources for Divorce

The Colorado Judicial Branch offers self-help forms and instructions for people handling their own divorces. These forms are free to download. They cover everything from filing a petition to drafting a final decree. The court website also provides step-by-step guides.

Form JDF 1011 is the petition for dissolution. Form JDF 1015 is the response. Form JDF 1019 is the final decree. All of these can be downloaded from the court's website. Lincoln County residents can use the same forms as anyone else in Colorado. The forms are standard across all judicial districts.

If you need legal help and cannot afford an attorney, contact Colorado Legal Services or a local pro bono program. Some organizations serve rural areas including Lincoln County. The court's self-help resources can point you to programs in your area.

Access and Privacy Limits

Most divorce decrees are public records in Colorado. Anyone can request a copy by following court procedures and paying fees. But some information may be sealed or redacted. Cases involving domestic violence or child abuse often have protective orders that limit public access. Financial records with account numbers may be redacted for non-parties.

Under C.R.S. § 25-2-117, vital statistics records are confidential. Only people with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies. This means the parties themselves, their attorneys, or people with a court order. If you think your case should be sealed, you must file a motion with the court. The judge will decide based on the facts.

Historical Records

Lincoln County divorce cases from past decades may be held at the Colorado State Archives rather than the courthouse. The Archives does not have most recent records. If the divorce occurred in the last 30 or 40 years, the file is likely still at the District Court. Archives holdings vary by county and time period. Check with the court first before contacting the Archives.

Cases over 100 years old are fully open to the public. More recent cases have restricted access. You will need to provide proof of identity and relationship to the parties in some cases.

Nearby Counties

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

The 18th Judicial District covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties. Each has its own clerk's office. Make sure you know which county handled your case before requesting records.