Obtain Costilla County Divorce Judgments
Costilla County divorce records are housed at the District Court in San Luis. This historic Colorado county in the San Luis Valley maintains all marriage dissolution documents for residents of San Luis, San Pedro, and Garcia. The court preserves petitions, separation agreements, custody orders, and final decrees. Spanish is widely spoken in this region, and court services accommodate both languages.
Costilla County District Court Clerk Information
The Costilla County Courthouse stands in San Luis. This is the oldest town in Colorado. The courthouse address is 400 Gasper Street. The Clerk of Court maintains all divorce records here. The office serves the entire county.
Contact the clerk at 719-672-3681. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The court is closed on state holidays. San Luis is a rural community. Plan adequate time for your visit. Staff provide personal attention to each request.
The 12th Judicial District includes Costilla County. Judges travel between county seats. Your hearing may be scheduled in San Luis or another location. The clerk will inform you of the correct venue. Always confirm hearing details before traveling.
Court records in Costilla County date back many decades. Older files may be archived. The clerk can access these with advance notice. Request archived records by phone or mail. Allow extra processing time.
Searching Costilla County Divorce Records
Finding divorce records in Costilla County involves several options. Choose the method that fits your needs. Each has advantages. Some are faster. Others provide more complete information.
Online searching is available through the state system. Visit coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. This free service shows case information. Select the 12th Judicial District. Choose Costilla County. Enter names or case numbers. Results show filing dates, case status, and party information.
In-person searches offer full access. Visit the courthouse in San Luis. Speak with the Clerk of Court. Request to view a case file. Provide identifying information. Staff will retrieve the file. You can review documents at the counter. Copies are available immediately.
Costilla County Divorce Costs and Copy Fees
Understanding fees helps you plan your request. Costilla County follows state fee schedules. These are uniform across Colorado courts. Current rates are effective January 2025.
Filing a divorce petition costs $260. This fee applies to all new cases. Pay when you file. The clerk accepts various payment types. Cash is always accepted. Checks should be payable to Costilla County Clerk. Money orders are also welcome.
Copy fees depend on the type you need. Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Most divorce files are lengthy. A complete copy may cost significantly. Certified copies are $20 each. These include official seals and signatures. Many legal purposes require certified copies.
Fee waivers help those with limited income. If you cannot pay, request a waiver. File a motion with the court. Submit proof of financial hardship. The judge will review your request. Waivers may cover all or part of the fees. Never let cost prevent you from accessing justice.
Note: Payment must accompany all copy requests.
Legal Requirements for Costilla County Divorce
Colorado statutes govern divorce in Costilla County. These laws apply statewide. You must follow them carefully. Failure to meet requirements will delay your case.
Residency comes first. C.R.S. § 14-10-106 sets the standard. You or your spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days. You must file in the proper county. Costilla County residents file in San Luis. Proof of residency may be required.
Grounds for divorce are simple. Colorado is a no-fault state. You need only state the marriage is irretrievably broken. No blame is placed. No misconduct is cited. This reduces conflict. It streamlines the process.
The waiting period is mandatory. Ninety-one days must pass from filing to decree. This is statutory. No exceptions exist. Even agreed divorces require the wait. The court will not finalize sooner. Plan your timeline accordingly.
Contents of Costilla County Divorce Case Files
A divorce case produces numerous documents. Each plays a role. Together they form the complete record. Knowing what to expect helps you request specific items.
The petition starts the process. It identifies the parties. It states basic facts. It requests court action. The petition is a public document. Anyone can view it.
Financial disclosures follow. Both parties must complete these. They list all assets and debts. They document income and expenses. The court uses this information. It ensures fair property division. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-113, Colorado uses equitable distribution.
Settlements end most cases. When parties agree, they put it in writing. The agreement covers all issues. Property division is detailed. Support amounts are stated. Parenting plans are included if children are involved. The court reviews and approves.
The decree finalizes everything. It dissolves the marriage. It adopts the settlement. Or it states the court's rulings. The decree is binding. Both parties must comply. Certified copies prove the divorce.
Vital Records Verification Services
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers divorce verification. This is different from court records. It confirms a divorce occurred. It does not provide details.
Contact CDPHE at 303-692-2200. Their office is at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver. Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. The fee is $17. Processing times vary.
Access restrictions apply. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 limits who can get copies. You must have a direct interest. This includes the parties themselves. Attorneys may obtain records for clients. The general public has limited access. Court records offer broader availability.
Towns Served by Costilla County Court
Costilla County includes several communities. All use the San Luis courthouse for divorce matters. The rural nature of the county means close community ties with court staff.
Residents of unincorporated areas throughout Costilla County also file their dissolution cases at the San Luis courthouse.
Bordering Counties for Record Searches
If you cannot find your divorce record in Costilla County, check these neighboring counties. Cases are filed where parties reside at the time of filing.