Access Garfield County Divorce Records

Garfield County divorce records are housed at the 9th Judicial District Court in Glenwood Springs. This western Colorado county includes Glenwood Springs, Rifle, and Carbondale. The court serves a diverse population. Records are public under Colorado law. Access is available through multiple channels. The clerk maintains comprehensive files.

Garfield County District Court Location

The 9th Judicial District includes Garfield County. The main courthouse is in Glenwood Springs. This serves as the county seat. The building houses both District and County courts. All divorce records are here. The clerk's office processes requests. Staff assist the public daily.

Glenwood Springs is on Interstate 70. It is about 160 miles west of Denver. The drive crosses mountain passes. It takes about three hours. The courthouse is downtown. It is near the hot springs. Parking is available nearby. Some spaces require payment. The clerk's office opens early. It closes mid-afternoon. Plan your visit. Call to confirm hours.

How to Search Garfield County Divorce Records

Finding divorce records in Garfield County uses standard Colorado methods. Online tools are available. In-person visits work. Mail requests are accepted. This section explains your options. Choose what fits your needs.

The Colorado docket search covers Garfield County. It is free. Visit coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. Select Garfield County. Choose "DR" for domestic relations. Enter search terms. Party names work. Case numbers work too. Date ranges help. The system shows case activity. Filing dates appear. Hearings are listed. Documents are not viewable. Order those separately.

For document copies, visit the Glenwood Springs courthouse. Bring identification. Provide case details. Staff will locate the file. Copy fees apply. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20 each. Payment methods vary. Call ahead to confirm. Cash is usually accepted. Checks may be preferred. Card processing may be limited.

Mail requests work well. This is good for distant requesters. Write to the clerk. Include specific information. Names and dates help. Send payment. Allow extra time. Mountain location affects mail. Staff processing takes time. Three business days is typical. Add mailing time. Plan accordingly.

Garfield County Divorce Filing Fees

Garfield County follows state fee schedules. These are uniform. All Colorado courts charge the same. The legislature sets the rates. C.R.S. § 13-32-101 lists them. The clerk collects fees. No local variations exist.

The fee schedule includes:

• Petition for dissolution: $260
• Response to petition: $146
• Motion to modify decree: $105
• Motion to enforce: $105
• Certified copy: $20 per document
• Plain copies: $0.25 per page

Fee waivers are available. Apply if you cannot pay. File a motion. Show financial hardship. Include supporting documents. Tax returns help. Pay stubs work. Benefit letters help. The judge reviews requests. Some fees are mandatory. Waivers apply only to certain costs. Ask the clerk for forms.

E-filing is available. Self-represented parties can use it. Create an account at the Colorado Courts E-Filing portal. Pay the $12 service fee per filing. This is separate from court costs. E-filing is convenient. It saves trips to Glenwood Springs. Documents are filed instantly. The clerk reviews them. You receive email confirmation. Opt-in to see case status.

Garfield County Residency Requirements

Residency rules apply in Garfield County. C.R.S. § 14-10-106 sets the standard. One spouse must live in Colorado for 91 days. To file in Garfield County, you or your spouse must reside there. This determines proper venue. Filing in the wrong court causes problems.

Garfield County includes several communities. Glenwood Springs is the largest. Rifle is to the west. Carbondale is to the south. All are in the county. All residents file in Glenwood Springs. The single courthouse serves everyone. Location within the county does not matter. The venue is the same.

Children need 182 days in Colorado. This is for custody decisions. The court cannot make orders until then. This is six months. If children are new to the state, custody waits. The divorce can still proceed. Property can be divided. But custody orders need the full 182 days. Plan your filing with this in mind.

Garfield County Divorce Timeline

All Colorado divorces have a waiting period. Garfield County follows this rule. The period is 91 days. It is a minimum. The court cannot grant a decree faster. This time starts when jurisdiction is established. For joint filings, it is the filing date. For single filings, it is service date.

The waiting period allows for reflection. Reconciliation is possible. It also permits negotiation. Many cases settle. This saves court time. It saves party expense. Use the 91 days productively. Gather financial documents. Discuss settlement terms. Consult with attorneys. Prepare for the future.

After 91 days, the court can finalize. If you have an agreement, submit it. The court reviews everything. If approved, the decree is signed. This ends the marriage. If no agreement, schedule a hearing. The judge decides disputes. Court calendars vary. Settlement is usually faster. Consider mediation options.

Garfield County Divorce Record Contents

Divorce files contain many documents. Each serves a purpose. Together they tell the story. Most are public records. Anyone can view them. Some parts are confidential. This section describes typical contents. Know what to expect.

The petition begins the case. It identifies the parties. It states the grounds. Colorado uses no-fault divorce. The grounds are irretrievable breakdown. Nothing else is required. The petition requests relief. Property division may be sought. Support may be requested. Custody may be included. The answer responds. It admits or denies allegations. It may make counter-requests.

Financial disclosures are mandatory. Both parties must file them. They list all assets. They list all debts. Income is documented. Expenses are detailed. This ensures fair division. It supports accurate support orders. Parenting plans address children. They propose custody schedules. Decision-making is outlined. The final decree ends the case. It approves agreements. It orders division. It establishes support. It addresses custody. The decree is enforceable. Keep certified copies safe.

Note: After the decree is entered, the clerk notifies CDPHE. The state maintains an index of divorces. Verification costs $17. This is not a copy of the decree. For the actual decree, contact the court.

Legal Help in Garfield County

Legal resources exist in Garfield County. Options are fewer than cities. Help is available. This section lists options. Contact them for current information.

Colorado Legal Services serves the area. The Glenwood Springs office covers Garfield County. Call (970) 945-8856. Apply for assistance. Services depend on income. Priority goes to urgent cases. Domestic violence gets attention. Custody emergencies qualify. They cannot help everyone. Call to learn more.

Private attorneys practice in Glenwood Springs. Some focus on family law. Ask the clerk for referral information. Consultations vary in cost. Ask about rates upfront. Some offer flat fees. Others bill hourly. Payment plans may be available.

Self-help resources are online. The court provides forms. Instructions are included. Visit coloradojudicial.gov/self-help. Read carefully. Mistakes cause delays. The clerk can answer basic questions. They cannot give legal advice. Consider limited scope representation. Some lawyers help with specific tasks. You handle the rest. This saves money. Ask if lawyers offer this.

Cities in Garfield County

Garfield County includes several communities. All file divorce cases at the Glenwood Springs District Court. The venue is county-wide.

Other communities include New Castle, Silt, and Battlement Mesa. All residents use the Garfield County District Court in Glenwood Springs for divorce filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Garfield County. Verify proper filing venue if you live near county lines. You must file where a party resides.