Find Prowers County Divorce Decrees
Prowers County divorce decree records are filed and maintained at the Combined Court in Lamar. This southeast Colorado county is part of the 15th Judicial District, which includes Baca, Cheyenne, and Kiowa counties in addition to Prowers. The clerk's office in Lamar handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Prowers County residents and stores the original decree documents. Anyone who needs copies of divorce decrees can request them from the clerk by visiting in person, using the online records request form, or mailing a written request with case details. Prowers County follows all Colorado state laws for divorce proceedings, which means the same residency requirements, filing fees, and waiting periods apply here as in every other Colorado county.
Prowers County Quick Facts
15th Judicial District Court
Prowers County shares the 15th Judicial District with Baca, Cheyenne, and Kiowa counties. The district covers the far southeast corner of Colorado. Each county has its own courthouse and clerk handling local filings. Prowers County's courthouse is in Lamar.
Divorce decree files are kept at the Lamar courthouse. Staff can search for cases by name or case number. Bring both spouse names when you request records. The filing year helps too. Prowers County has fewer cases than urban counties, so files are usually easy to find.
Contact the Prowers County Combined Court for divorce decree information. Use the online records request form to submit your request from anywhere. The court also accepts phone calls and email inquiries about case status and copy fees.
| Court | Prowers County Combined Court |
|---|---|
| District | 15th Judicial District |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov |
How to Get Decree Copies
Prowers County offers several ways to get divorce decree copies. Visit the courthouse in Lamar for same-day service. Use the online form if you live outside the area. Mail requests work but take longer to process.
The Colorado Judicial Branch records request form goes directly to Prowers County staff. Choose Prowers County from the list. Enter both party names and the year if you know it. The court will contact you about fees and processing time. Most requests are handled within three business days if you provide accurate case information.
For in-person visits, bring photo ID and case details to the Lamar courthouse. If the file is available, you can get copies the same day. Pay at the counter. 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 Prowers County courthouse in Lamar. Include payment if you know the page count. Otherwise, the court will bill you after locating the file.
- In person: Visit courthouse in Lamar
- Online: Submit state records request form
- Mail: Send written request with case details
- Phone: Call for fee and processing questions
Copy fees follow Colorado court rules. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20.00 per document. Parties to their own divorce pay no more than $15.00 total. Non-parties pay full fees. Name searches cost $5.00 if you lack a case number.
Online Case Search
CoCourts.com provides online searches for Prowers County divorce cases. This database covers the 15th Judicial District and costs $10.00 or less per search. You get a Register of Action showing case filings and hearings but not the decree document.
Use the Register of Action to find case numbers and filing dates before requesting copies. This information helps the clerk locate your file faster. The database shows when the petition was filed, hearing dates, and when the decree was entered. It does not include the decree text.
Visit cocourts.com to search Prowers County records. Background Information Services also offers Colorado court searches. Both services pull real-time data from the state court system.
Filing for Divorce in Prowers County
To file for dissolution in Prowers County, one spouse must live in Colorado for 91 days. File the petition at the courthouse in Lamar. The filing fee is $230.00, which includes the displaced homemaker fee required by state law.
Colorado law under C.R.S. § 14-10-106 requires the court to find the marriage is irretrievably broken. A 91-day waiting period applies after the respondent is served. The court cannot enter a final decree until this period ends. No exceptions exist for the waiting period.
Prowers County allows uncontested dissolutions. When both parties agree on all terms, you can file a separation agreement and request a decree without appearing in court. Use form JDF 1018 for this procedure. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the decree if it meets legal requirements. This saves time and court costs for couples who agree on everything.
When the decree is entered, the clerk notifies the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under C.R.S. § 14-10-120. CDPHE keeps a verification record but not copies of decrees. Only the court has the full decree document.
Divorce Forms and Help
Prowers 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. Other forms depend on your case.
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 specific 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 situation and comfort with court procedures.
Record Access Rules
Prowers 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 requesters include background check companies, government agencies, and employers.
Older Prowers County Decrees
The Colorado State Archives does not currently hold Prowers County divorce records. All decrees remain with the clerk at the courthouse in Lamar. Even very old cases from decades ago are still at the court. Files may be stored off-site if they are very old. The court charges retrieval fees for off-site storage.
Check the State Archives divorce records page to see which Colorado counties have transferred records. Prowers County is not listed, so all requests go to the courthouse in Lamar.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Prowers County. Each has its own court handling divorce decrees for residents of that county. File in the county where you or your spouse lives.