Crowley County Divorce Proceedings and Records

Crowley County divorce records are maintained at the District Court in Ordway. This eastern plains county processes all marriage dissolution cases for residents of Ordway, Olney Springs, and Sugar City. The court preserves comprehensive documentation including initial petitions, financial disclosures, property settlements, and final judgments. The clerk's office provides access to these public records upon request.

Crowley County Court Location and Contact Details

The Crowley County Justice Center is in Ordway. The address is 110 East 6th Street. This building houses the District Court Clerk. All divorce records for Crowley County are maintained here. The facility serves the entire county population.

Phone the clerk at 719-267-5228. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The court operates Monday through Friday. It is closed weekends and holidays. Ordway is a small community. The courthouse is easy to find. Parking is available nearby.

Crowley County is part of the 16th Judicial District. This district covers several southeastern Colorado counties. District judges preside over cases. The judges rotate between courthouses. Your divorce case will be assigned to a judge. The clerk can provide this information.

How to Request Crowley County Divorce Records

Getting divorce records in Crowley County requires following proper steps. The court makes records available to the public. Some restrictions apply. Understanding the process saves time.

In-person visits are most effective. Come to the courthouse in Ordway. Bring valid photo identification. Ask for the Clerk of Court. Complete a request form. Provide case details if known. Staff will search their records. You can view files at the counter. Request copies as needed.

The Colorado Judicial Branch offers online access. The docket search is free. Visit coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. Choose the 16th Judicial District. Select Crowley County. Search by name or case number. Basic information displays immediately. Document images are not available online.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to: Clerk of Court, 110 East 6th Street, Ordway, CO 81063. Include specific information. Names and dates help staff locate records. Enclose payment for copies. Include a return envelope. Allow several weeks for processing.

Crowley County Divorce Filing Fees and Expenses

Court fees in Crowley County follow state standards. These support judicial operations. They are set by the legislature. Rates are current as of January 2025.

The filing fee for a dissolution petition is $260. This opens your divorce case. Pay this at the time of filing. The clerk accepts cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance varies. Call ahead to confirm. Make checks payable to Crowley County Clerk.

Copy fees are separate. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Divorce files can be extensive. Budget accordingly. Certified copies are $20 each. Many legal matters require certified copies. These include official seals. They serve as proof of the divorce.

Fee waivers assist low-income individuals. You may request to proceed without payment. File a motion with the court. Complete a financial affidavit. The judge reviews your circumstances. Approval means no filing fee. Partial waivers are possible. Never let fees block access to the courts.

Colorado Divorce Statutes Applied in Crowley County

All divorces in Crowley County follow Colorado law. The statutes are uniform statewide. You must comply with these requirements. The court enforces them strictly.

Residency is mandatory. C.R.S. § 14-10-106 requires 91 days in Colorado. You must file in the county of residence. Crowley County residents file in Ordway. The court may verify residency. Be prepared with documentation.

Grounds are no-fault. You must claim the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is the only ground needed. No fault is assigned. No misconduct is proven. This simplifies proceedings. It reduces hostility between parties.

The waiting period is 91 days. This starts when you file. The court cannot grant the divorce sooner. This is true for all cases. Even uncontested matters must wait. The statute allows no exceptions. Plan your schedule with this in mind.

Note: Temporary orders may be entered during the waiting period.

Documents in Crowley County Divorce Files

Divorce cases create many papers. Each serves a purpose. The complete file contains the full history. Request specific documents based on your needs.

The petition begins the case. It is filed by one spouse. It names both parties. It states the marriage is over. It asks for court orders. These may involve property, support, or children. The petition is public record.

The answer responds to the petition. The other spouse files this. They may agree or disagree. They may make counter-requests. The answer shapes the case direction. It determines what issues are contested.

Financial statements are required. Both parties must disclose finances. This includes all assets and debts. Income must be documented. The court needs this to divide property fairly. Colorado uses equitable distribution under C.R.S. § 14-10-113.

Parenting plans address minor children. Parents must propose custody arrangements. Visitation schedules are detailed. Child support is calculated. The court reviews these plans. The children's best interests guide decisions.

The decree ends the marriage. It contains all court orders. It may approve a settlement. Or it may reflect trial results. Once signed, the divorce is final. Terms are enforceable. Certified copies serve as legal proof.

Vital Records for Crowley County

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains divorce verifications. These differ from court records. They confirm a divorce occurred. They show basic facts only.

Order verifications through CDPHE. Call 303-692-2200. Visit their Denver office. Or use VitalChek online at vitalchek.com. The cost is $17. Processing time varies by method.

Access is limited by law. C.R.S. § 25-2-117 restricts vital records. Only interested parties may obtain copies. This includes the divorced individuals. It includes their attorneys. The general public cannot access these. Court records offer more open access.

Communities in Crowley County

Crowley County includes several small towns. All residents file divorce cases at the Ordway courthouse. The rural setting means personalized service.

Adjacent Counties for Divorce Record Research

If you cannot locate your record in Crowley County, try these neighboring counties. Cases are filed where parties live at the time.