El Paso County Divorce Records Access
Colorado Springs residents file for divorce at the El Paso County District Court. The 4th Judicial District serves this area. The courthouse is located in downtown Colorado Springs. Divorce cases are handled on the second floor. You can search for records in person or online. The court maintains files for all dissolved marriages. Records include petitions, decrees, and support orders. Genealogists and legal professionals use these documents. The public can access most filings.
Colorado Springs District Court Location and Hours
The El Paso County District Court stands at 270 South Tejon Street. This building houses all domestic relations cases. The clerk's office processes record requests. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office closes on state holidays. Plan your visit accordingly.
Parking is available in nearby lots. Street parking is limited downtown. Arrive early for the best spots. Bring exact change for meters. The courthouse is accessible to all visitors. Elevators serve all floors. Security screening is required at entry.
The 4th Judicial District covers El Paso and Teller counties. Colorado Springs is the county seat. All divorce filings for residents come here. Military families at nearby bases also use this court. Fort Carson personnel often file locally. The court understands military divorce issues. Special rules may apply to service members.
Requesting Divorce Records in Colorado Springs
Getting copies starts with a request form. The court provides these at the clerk's office. You can also download forms online. Fill out all required fields completely. Include full names of both spouses. Provide the year of divorce if known. Case numbers are very helpful.
Fees follow state guidelines. Certified copies cost $20 each. Regular copies are $0.25 per page. These rates come from CJD 06-01. Payment can be by cash, check, or card. Make checks payable to El Paso County District Court.
Mail requests are accepted. Send to the courthouse address. Include a self-addressed envelope. Allow two weeks for processing. Complex requests take longer. Call 719-452-5000 with questions. Staff can check on your request status.
Online Divorce Docket Search for Colorado Springs
The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains a docket search system. This covers all district courts statewide. You can search El Paso County cases specifically. The tool is free to use. Visit the official docket search page to begin.
Search by party name or case number. Results show case status and hearing dates. You can see what documents were filed. But you cannot view the actual documents. For copies, contact the court directly. This protects sensitive information.
Third-party services offer more features. Companies like LexisNexis provide detailed searches. They charge fees for their services. These are not official court services. Use them for convenience only. Always verify with the court for legal needs.
Filing for Divorce in Colorado Springs
Residency rules apply before filing. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, one spouse must live in Colorado for 91 days. This ensures the court has jurisdiction. Military members stationed locally may also qualify. Their time counts toward residency.
The filing fee is $260 as of 2025. This applies to all dissolution cases. Fee waivers exist for low-income filers. File a motion to proceed without payment. The judge reviews these requests. Documentation of income is required.
Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. C.R.S. § 14-10-106 allows divorce based on irreconcilable differences. No proof of wrongdoing is needed. This speeds up the process. Most cases settle without trial. Mediation helps resolve disputes.
Note: Colorado Springs has a high military population, so the court is familiar with Service Members Civil Relief Act protections.
Types of Divorce Documents Available
The court keeps many document types. Each serves a different purpose. Knowing what you need saves time. Here are common requests:
- Divorce Decree, the final judgment ending the marriage
- Separation Agreement outlining property and debt division
- Parenting Plan for child custody arrangements
- Support Orders for child and spousal maintenance
- Original Petition that started the case
- Financial Affidavits showing each party's assets
Certified copies prove the divorce occurred. They bear the court seal. Standard copies lack this authentication. Choose based on your needs. Most legal purposes require certification.
Military Divorce Considerations in Colorado Springs
The city's military presence affects many divorces. Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy are nearby. Service members have special protections. The Service Members Civil Relief Act applies. This can delay proceedings if requested.
Military pensions require special handling. Federal law governs division of these assets. The court must follow the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act. Retirement benefits may be divided. The 10/10 rule often applies. This affects direct payments from DFAS.
Child custody gets complicated with deployments. Colorado law addresses these situations. The court creates flexible parenting plans. Service members can designate visitation rights. Technology allows virtual contact. The best interest of the child remains paramount.
Colorado Springs Divorce Statistics and Trends
El Paso County processes many divorces yearly. The rate reflects statewide patterns. Military marriages face unique stresses. Deployments strain relationships. The local rate is slightly higher than average.
Most filings are uncontested. Couples agree on major issues. This reduces court time. It also lowers legal costs. Mediation services help reach agreements. The court encourages settlement talks.
Waiting periods affect timelines. The 91-day minimum applies here too. Most cases take 4 to 6 months. Complex cases last longer. Property disputes extend timelines. Child custody evaluations add time.