Rio Grande County Divorce Decree Files

Rio Grande County maintains divorce decree records at the Combined Court in Del Norte. This south-central Colorado county is part of the 12th Judicial District, which includes Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. The clerk's office in Del Norte stores all original dissolution of marriage decrees for Rio Grande County cases. Anyone needing copies of divorce decrees can request them by visiting the courthouse, using the online records request system, or mailing a written request with case details. Rio Grande County follows all Colorado state laws for divorce proceedings, including the 91-day residency requirement and the mandatory 91-day waiting period before a final decree can be entered.

12th Judicial District Court

Rio Grande County shares the 12th Judicial District with five other counties in southern Colorado. Each county has its own courthouse handling local cases. Rio Grande County's courthouse is in Del Norte, the county seat.

Divorce decree files are kept at the Del Norte courthouse. Staff can search for cases by name or case number. Bring both spouse names when you request records. The filing year helps narrow the search. Rio Grande County has a small population, so files are usually easy to locate and retrieve.

The Rio Grande 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

Rio Grande County accepts records requests through multiple channels. In-person visits to the Del Norte 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 Rio Grande 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.

For in-person requests, visit the courthouse in Del Norte 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.

• Online: Best for remote requests
• In person: Get same-day copies in Del Norte
• 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.

Online Case Searches

CoCourts.com provides online searches for Rio Grande County divorce cases. This database covers the 12th 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.

Visit cocourts.com to search Rio Grande County records now. Background Information Services also offers Colorado court searches.

Filing for Dissolution in Rio Grande County

To file for divorce in Rio Grande County, one spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days. The petition is filed at the clerk's office in Del Norte. The filing fee is $230.00.

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.

Rio Grande 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.

When the decree is signed, the clerk sends notice to the state vital records office as required by C.R.S. § 14-10-120.

Divorce Forms and Help

Rio Grande 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.

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.

Who Can Access Decrees

Rio Grande County divorce decrees are public records unless sealed by court order. Anyone can request copies if they provide case information and pay fees. Parties to the case always get access to their own decree with reduced fees.

Older Rio Grande County Decrees

The Colorado State Archives does not currently hold Rio Grande County divorce records. All decrees remain with the clerk at the courthouse in Del Norte. Check the State Archives divorce records page for updates.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Rio Grande County. Each maintains its own divorce decree records at the local district court.