Search Otero County Divorce Decrees
Otero County maintains divorce decree records through the Combined Court serving the 16th Judicial District. Located in La Junta, the courthouse handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed by Otero County residents. The district clerk's office stores original divorce decrees and provides certified or uncertified copies upon request. Anyone needing a divorce decree from Otero County can submit a records request to the court. Processing times vary based on how much information you provide about the case. The more details you include in your request, the faster the clerk can find the file and prepare copies. Otero County follows Colorado state procedures for all domestic relations cases, including filing requirements and waiting periods.
Otero County Quick Facts
Otero County District Court
The 16th Judicial District covers Bent, Crowley, and Otero counties in southeast Colorado. Otero County is the largest of the three. The district court in La Junta handles all civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases for Otero County.
Divorce decrees filed in Otero County stay with the clerk's office at the courthouse. Staff can search for cases by party name or case number. Bring the names of both spouses when you request records. Year of filing helps too. The more you know, the faster they find it.
The Otero County Combined Court provides contact information and filing procedures on its website. Use the online records request form to submit your request from home. The court also takes phone calls and email inquiries about case status and copy fees.
Staff work Monday through Friday during standard courthouse hours. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person. Some days the office closes early for training or court proceedings. Email is often the best way to start a records request if you do not live near La Junta.
| Court | Otero County Combined Court |
|---|---|
| District | 16th Judicial District |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov |
How to Request Divorce Records
Otero County accepts records requests in person, online, by mail, and by phone. Each method has benefits. In-person visits work best when you need copies right away. Online forms are good for people outside the area. Mail requests take longer but allow you to send payment with your request.
To use the online system, go to the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form. Select Otero County and choose divorce as the case type. Enter both party names and any dates you know. The court gets your request and contacts you about fees and when copies will be ready.
For in-person requests, visit the courthouse in La Junta during business hours. Bring ID and case information. If the file is available, you can get copies the same day. Pay at the counter with cash, check, or card. Staff will tell you if the file is off-site and how long retrieval will take.
Mail requests should include party names, approximate date of divorce, and your contact information. Send to the clerk's office at the Otero County courthouse. If you know the number of pages, include payment. Otherwise, the court will bill you after finding the file.
- Online form: Fastest for remote requests
- In person: Best for same-day copies
- Mail: Good when you can include payment
- Phone: Use for questions about fees and processing
Fees are standard across Colorado. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20.00 per document. If you were a party to the divorce, your maximum fee is $15.00 no matter how many pages. Non-parties pay full price. Name search fees are $5.00 when you lack a case number.
Online Case Searches
CoCourts.com lets you search Otero County divorce cases online. The service covers the 16th Judicial District and costs $10.00 or less per search. You get a Register of Action showing case activity but not the decree itself.
Use the Register of Action to find the case number and filing date. This helps when you request copies from the clerk. The database shows when the petition was filed, when hearings occurred, and when the final decree was entered. It does not include the decree text or attachments.
Visit cocourts.com to search Otero County cases now. Background Information Services also provides Colorado court searches. Both pull real-time data from the state court system.
Otero County Dissolution Procedures
Filing for divorce in Otero County requires one spouse to have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days. The petition is filed at the clerk's office in La Junta. The filing fee is $230.00, which includes the displaced homemaker fee under state law.
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. The court only needs to find the marriage is irretrievably broken. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, the court enters a decree after 91 days from when it gains jurisdiction over the respondent. This waiting period cannot be waived.
Otero County allows uncontested dissolutions. If both parties agree on all issues, you can file a separation agreement and request a decree without a hearing. Use form JDF 1018 for this procedure. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the decree if it meets legal requirements.
When the decree is signed, the clerk sends notice to the state vital records office as required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120. This creates a verification record at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. CDPHE can verify that a divorce occurred but does not keep copies of decrees.
Forms and Legal Help
Otero County uses the standard Colorado divorce forms. The main forms are available through the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms page. You need form JDF 1011 to file a petition and form JDF 1019 for the final decree.
Self-represented parties can get help from court staff, but staff cannot give legal advice. They can tell you what forms to use and how to file them. They cannot tell you what to write or how to argue your case. For legal advice, consult an attorney or legal aid organization.
Some cases involve complex property division or child custody disputes. These cases often need an attorney. Simple uncontested cases may be handled without a lawyer if both parties agree and complete the forms correctly. The decision depends on your situation and comfort level with court procedures.
Record Access Rules
Most Otero County divorce decrees are public records. Anyone can request copies if they provide case information and pay fees. Some cases may be sealed by court order. Sealed cases require permission from the judge to access.
Parties to the case always get access to their own decree. They pay reduced fees under state court rules. Third parties can also request copies but pay full fees. Common third-party requesters include background check services, employers, and government agencies.
Historical Divorce Records
The Colorado State Archives holds some Otero County divorce records. Cases from specific years may be at the Archives in Denver. Check the State Archives divorce records page to see which Otero County years are available.
For cases not at the Archives, contact the Otero County clerk. Most decrees remain at the courthouse. Very old files may be stored off-site. The court charges retrieval fees for off-site storage. Processing takes longer for these older cases, sometimes up to several weeks.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Otero County. Each maintains its own divorce decree records at the local district court. File in the county where you or your spouse resides.