Colorado Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Divorce records are judicial documents that contain details regarding the legal termination of a marriage in Colorado. They serve as official proof that a marital union has been dissolved. Divorce records help Colorado residents verify the status of a marriage, conduct genealogical research, change their name, or resolve certain legal disputes.

The divorce process in the state is governed by the Colorado Uniform Dissolution Act (C.R.S. § 14-10-101 et seq.), supplemented by the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. Both regulations determine how marriages are dissolved, the division of property, and the assignment of parental duties.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC, Colorado reported a marriage rate of 7.8 per 1,000 people and a divorce rate of 2.8 per 1,000 people in 2023. This shows that divorces occurred less frequently than marriages did in the state that year.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Colorado

Colorado issues distinct divorce documents, serving different purposes and managed by different departments. The main types of documentation include the divorce certificate, the divorce decree, and the divorce case record.

Divorce certificates are maintained and issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (or CDPHE), which is the state's vital records office. The certificate serves as proof that a divorce has occurred and is typically required for name changes, remarriage, or other administrative purposes.

Divorce decrees, also called the decree of dissolution of marriage, in Colorado are orders issued by the District Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The decree sets out the terms and conditions of the divorce, such as property division, support, and child custody.

Divorce case records are also maintained by the District Court that handled the case. The case record comprises the complete court record and includes all documents related to the divorce process.

The table below summarizes the types of divorce documentation that exist in Colorado and their characteristics.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment	Official proof of the divorce	Names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the county of divorce
Decree of Dissolution	The District Court that dissolved the marriage	Finalizes the terms of the divorce	Names of both parties, terms of divorce, and court rulings
Divorce Case Record	The Clerk of the District Court where the case was filed	Complete litigation record	Pleadings, motions, affidavits, evidence, orders, and final decree

Public Access and Confidentiality of Colorado Divorce Records

Divorce records are court records and are consequently subject to the Chief Justice Directive (CJD) 05€‘01 with regard to public access to court records. Under this policy, divorce records are generally public, meaning members of the public can inspect and obtain copies of such records from a court in Colorado. However, certain documents or details that may unreasonably intrude into a party's privacy may be removed or redacted from publicly accessible documents, including

• Financial affidavits and statements
• Parenting plans
• Separation agreements
• Social security and financial account numbers
• Minors' records

Divorce certificates are maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as vital records. These are not subject to judicial disclosure policies, as access to vital records is governed by C.R.S. 25-2-117, which restricts access to individuals with a direct and tangible interest. Eligible parties include the subject of the record, their immediate family members, legal representatives, or any person who can demonstrate a tangible interest.

The CDPHE's address is as follows:

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

The Colorado State Archives also holds some divorce records that have been transferred to it from District Courts in the state. These records, after transfer, are confidential if less than 100 years old under the Archives Access Policy, except for the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.

What Information Do Colorado Divorce Records Include?

When a divorce proceeding is initiated in Colorado, the parties involved typically present several documents to assist the court in evaluating and finalizing the divorce. The court also generates its own documents to record each stage of the case until the conclusion. Together, these filings form the divorce records.

Information commonly found in a Colorado divorce record includes

• Names of both parties
• Legal representation
• Case number
• Marriage and divorce dates
• Court where the divorce was finalized
• Parental responsibilities and child support arrangements
• Division of assets
• Divorce decree

The exact content of divorce records typically varies, depending on the specifics of the case. For example, if the couple filing for a divorce has no children together, the divorce record will not contain any information about parental responsibilities or child support.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Colorado

The procedures for obtaining a divorce record in Colorado differ, depending on the record custodian and the type of divorce record needed. Divorce records in the state are primarily obtained through two mediums: County District Courts and the CDPHE, although some records are maintained by the State Archives. The fees for obtaining a divorce record also differ per custodian and the specifics of the request.

The table below details sources and fees for obtaining divorce records in Colorado.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment	1968 - present	Divorce Certificates	$17 for the first copy; $10 for each additional copy requested simultaneously
District Courts	Local Clerk of District Courts Office	All years	Divorce Case File and the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage	25 cents per page for photocopies
Case Search Portal	Colorado Judicial Branch (through commercial platforms)	Differs by County	Case records	Varies by platform
State Archives	Colorado State Archives	Varies, depending on the county	Historical Case Files and Decrees	25 cents - $43.5

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Colorado

A certified copy of a divorce record refers to a legally recognized, state-issued document that proves the dissolution of a marriage. These certificates are essential in Colorado for legal processes, such as transferring assets, remarrying, and changing one's name. Individuals can obtain a certified copy of either a divorce decree or a divorce certificate by following these steps:

• Determine the Type of Certified Record Needed
  Individuals seeking a certified copy of a divorce record must first determine the specific record they require based on their needs. Divorce decrees are typically sufficient proof of a divorce, contain detailed information about the divorce, and are publicly accessible. Divorce certificates are summarized verifications of the event and serve multiple purposes (e.g., immigration), but are not obtainable by everyone.
  
• Identify and Contact the Record Custodian
  Once the required record has been identified, inquirers may then contact the appropriate custodian. Divorce decrees are disseminated by the Clerk of the District Court where the case was filed, while divorce certificates are primarily issued by the CDPHE.
  
  Researchers may request divorce records from a Colorado District Court in person or using the Colorado Judicial Branch online records request form.

Divorce records from the CPDHE can be requested in person at the office (by appointment) or through a Local Vital Records Office. Alternatively, a request may be made via mail by submitting the Divorce Application form and a copy of an acceptable form of identification to the department.

• Supply Sufficient information
  During the request process, inquirers should ensure sufficient and accurate information is provided to the record custodian. One may give a name or case number if obtaining a record from the District Court, or the name of both spouses if requesting from the CDPHE. Providing inaccurate or insufficient details may delay or prevent processing.
  
• Pay the Applicable Fee
  Obtaining a certified copy of a divorce record costs a fee. A certified divorce decree from the Colorado District Courts costs $20, with a $5 name-search fee (if applicable). A divorce certificate from the CDPHE costs $17 for the first copy and $10 for additional pages requested at the same time. Individuals should note that extra fees may also be incurred, depending on the mode of payment.

The table below summarizes the request process for certified copies of divorce records in Colorado.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Divorce Certificate	Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment - Vital Records Section	Party to the record, attorney, immediate family member	Proof for remarriage, name change, or other administrative uses
Certified Decree of Dissolution	Clerk of District Court	Anyone	Enforcement of court orders, verification of the terms of divorce
Historical Records	State Archives	Anyone, if the record is at least 100 years old	Genealogical research or historical reference

Why Search for Divorce Records in Colorado?

There are various reasons individuals may search for divorce records in Colorado. These range from casual checks, such as verifying a person's marital status, to research for genealogical purposes and for legal necessities, like enforcing a court order.

Employers, government bodies, and other entities may also search for these records when conducting background checks, resolving inheritance disputes, or clarifying the details of a divorce settlement.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Colorado?

Colorado divorce records are retained in line with the state judiciary's Retention and Disposition Schedules. According to the schedule, all domestic relations cases, which include divorce records, are considered permanent court records, meaning they are retained forever and not destroyed.

To manage physical storage, courts may transfer older divorce records to the State Archives. Additionally, courts may digitize divorce records by scanning and uploading them into the judicial case management system. In such cases, the paper copy may then be securely destroyed, with the electronic copy preserved permanently.