Pitkin County Divorce Decree Files

Pitkin County maintains divorce decree records at the Combined Court in Aspen. This mountain county serves as part of the 9th Judicial District along with Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. The clerk's office in Aspen stores all original dissolution of marriage decrees for Pitkin County cases. Residents and others seeking divorce decrees can request copies through the online records request system, in-person visits to the courthouse, or mail requests. Pitkin County follows all Colorado state procedures for dissolution cases, including filing fees, residency requirements, and mandatory waiting periods. The court handles both contested and uncontested divorces using statewide forms and legal standards that apply across Colorado.

9th Judicial District Court

Pitkin County is part of the 9th Judicial District. This district includes Garfield, Pitkin, and Rio Blanco counties in western Colorado. Each county has its own courthouse and clerk handling local filings. Pitkin County's courthouse is in Aspen.

Divorce decree files are maintained at the Aspen courthouse. Staff can search for cases by party name or case number. Bring both spouse names when you request records. The filing year helps narrow the search. Because Pitkin County is smaller than urban counties, files are usually easy to locate and retrieve.

The Pitkin County Combined Court website provides contact information and hours. Use the statewide online records request form to submit requests from anywhere. The court also accepts phone calls and email inquiries about case information and copy fees.

Requesting Divorce Decrees

Pitkin County accepts records requests through multiple channels. In-person visits to the Aspen courthouse work well for same-day service. Online requests through the state form are good for people outside the area. Mail requests take longer but allow you to send payment with your request.

Use the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form for online submissions. Select Pitkin County and choose divorce as the case type. Enter both party names and any dates you know. The court will contact you about fees and when copies will be ready. Most requests are completed within three business days if you provide accurate information.

For in-person requests, visit the courthouse in Aspen during business hours. Bring photo 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 stored off-site and how long retrieval will take.

Mail requests should include party names, approximate divorce date, and your contact information. Send to the clerk's office at the Pitkin County courthouse. If you know the page count, include payment. Otherwise, the court will bill you after locating the file.

• Online: Best for remote requests
• In person: Get same-day copies in Aspen
• Mail: Include payment if page count is known
• Phone: Call for fee and processing questions

Fees follow Colorado court standards. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20.00 per document. Parties to their own divorce pay a maximum of $15.00 regardless of page count. Non-parties pay full fees. Name searches cost $5.00 when you lack a case number.

Online Case Searches

CoCourts.com provides online searches for Pitkin County divorce cases. This database covers the 9th Judicial District and costs $10.00 or less per search. You get a Register of Action showing case activity but not the actual decree document.

The Register of Action helps you find case numbers and filing dates. This information speeds up your records request at the clerk's office. The database shows when the petition was filed, hearing dates, and when the final decree was entered. It does not include the decree text or attachments.

Visit cocourts.com to search Pitkin County records now. Background Information Services also offers Colorado court searches. Both services pull real-time data from the state court system.

Filing for Dissolution in Pitkin County

To file for divorce in Pitkin County, one spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days. The petition is filed at the clerk's office in Aspen. The filing fee is $230.00, which includes the displaced homemaker fee required by state law.

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, the court only needs to find the marriage is irretrievably broken. A 91-day waiting period begins when the respondent is served. The court cannot enter a final decree until this period ends. No exceptions exist for this waiting period.

Pitkin County allows uncontested dissolutions. When both parties agree on all terms, 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. This process saves time and court costs for couples who agree on everything.

When the decree is signed, the clerk sends notice to the state vital records office as required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps a verification record but not copies of decrees. Only the court maintains the full decree document.

Divorce Forms and Legal Help

Pitkin County uses Colorado statewide divorce forms. Get forms from the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms page. The main forms are JDF 1011 for the petition and JDF 1019 for the final decree. Additional forms depend on your case details.

Self-represented parties can ask court staff procedural questions. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain how to file forms and what fees apply. For legal advice about your situation, consult an attorney or legal aid organization.

Simple uncontested cases may not need an attorney if both parties agree and complete forms correctly. Complex cases with property disputes or child custody issues often benefit from legal representation. The decision depends on your comfort with court procedures and case complexity.

Historical Pitkin County Decrees

The Colorado State Archives holds some Pitkin County divorce records from 1931 to 1964. Cases from these years are available at the Archives in Denver. For cases outside this date range, contact the Pitkin County clerk at the courthouse in Aspen.

To access historical records at the Archives, search the Archives Search database. You need the case number and year. Submit a request through the Archives online portal at archives.colorado.gov/request. Processing takes up to 10 business days. The Archives is at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203.

For Pitkin County cases from 1965 to present, contact the courthouse directly. These cases remain with the clerk and have not been transferred to the Archives. Even older cases from the 1970s through 2000s are still available from the clerk's office in Aspen.

Who Can Access Decrees

Pitkin County divorce decrees are public records unless sealed by court order. Anyone can request copies if they provide case information and pay fees. 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 Colorado court rules. Third parties can also request copies but pay full per-page rates. Common third-party requesters include background check services, government agencies, and employers.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pitkin County. Each maintains its own divorce decree records at the local district court. File in the county where you or your spouse resides.