Yuma County Divorce Decree Records
Yuma County divorce decree records are filed and maintained at the Combined Court in Wray. This far northeast Colorado county is part of the 13th Judicial District, which covers seven counties across the plains region. The clerk's office in Wray handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Yuma County residents and stores the original decree documents. Anyone seeking divorce decrees can request copies by visiting the courthouse in person, using the online records request form, or mailing a written request with case details. Yuma County follows all Colorado state laws for divorce proceedings, including the 91-day residency requirement, the $230 filing fee, and the mandatory 91-day waiting period before a final decree can be entered. Both contested and uncontested divorces are processed using the same statewide forms and procedures.
Yuma County Quick Facts
13th Judicial District Court
Yuma County shares the 13th Judicial District with Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, and Washington counties. The district spans northeast Colorado. Each county has its own courthouse and clerk's office that handles local cases. Yuma County's courthouse is in Wray.
Divorce decree files are kept at the Wray 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. Because Yuma County is small, the clerk's office has fewer files than urban counties. This often means faster processing when you request records.
Contact the Yuma 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 | Yuma County Combined Court |
|---|---|
| District | 13th Judicial District |
| Website | coloradojudicial.gov |
Getting Divorce Decree Copies
Yuma County offers multiple ways to get divorce decree copies. Visit the courthouse in Wray 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 Yuma County staff. Choose Yuma 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 Wray courthouse. 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. Small counties like Yuma often provide faster service than large urban courts.
Mail requests should include party names, approximate divorce date, and your contact information. Send to the clerk's office at the Yuma County courthouse in Wray. Include payment if you know the page count. Otherwise, the court will bill you after locating the file.
- In person: Visit courthouse in Wray
- 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 Divorce Case Search
CoCourts.com provides online searches for Yuma County divorce cases. This database covers the 13th 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 Yuma County records. Background Information Services also offers Colorado court searches. Both services pull real-time data from the state court system.
Filing for Dissolution in Yuma County
To file for divorce in Yuma County, one spouse must live in Colorado for 91 days. File the petition at the courthouse in Wray. 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.
Yuma 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 Legal Help
Yuma 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 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.
Who Can Access Decrees
Yuma 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 Yuma County Decrees
The Colorado State Archives does not currently hold Yuma County divorce records. All decrees remain with the clerk at the courthouse in Wray. 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. Yuma County is not listed, so all requests go to the courthouse in Wray.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Yuma County. Each maintains its own divorce decree records at the local district court. File in the county where you or your spouse lives.