Grand County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Grand County divorce records are maintained at the District Court in Hot Sulphur Springs. This mountain community sits in north central Colorado near the Rocky Mountain National Park. The 14th Judicial District serves Grand County along with Moffat and Routt Counties. Residents seeking divorce documents must contact this courthouse for case files and certified decrees.
Grand County Courthouse Location and Hours
The Grand County Justice Center houses the District Court Clerk's office. This building serves as the central hub for all court records in the county. The address is 307 Moffat Avenue in Hot Sulphur Springs. The courthouse sits near the Colorado River in the heart of the county seat.
Court clerk hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The office closes daily for lunch between noon and 1:00 PM. Visitors should plan their trips accordingly. The courthouse observes all state holidays. Calling ahead can confirm record availability before you travel to Grand County.
Free parking is available near the Justice Center. The building provides accessible entrances for all visitors. Court staff can assist with locating case files and explaining access procedures. Identification is required for all record requests. The clerk can search by names or case numbers to find divorce files.
Obtaining Divorce Records in Grand County
Several methods allow access to divorce documents from Grand County. The approach you choose depends on your timeline and convenience. Each option follows Colorado state guidelines for court record access.
Walking into the courthouse provides immediate access to Grand County divorce records. The clerk can retrieve most files while you wait. Same-day copies are often available for recent cases. Older records may require additional search time. Certified copies cost $20 per document. Standard photocopies run $0.25 per page.
Mailing your request works for distant residents. Complete the Colorado Judicial Branch record request form online. Print and sign the form before mailing. Include payment and a self-addressed return envelope. Allow two to four weeks for processing and return mail. The official request form streamlines this process for Grand County cases.
The online docket search offers free basic case information. Visit coloradojudicial.gov/dockets to search Grand County divorce cases. This tool shows filing dates and case status. It does not provide document copies. Contact the clerk for full case files and certified decrees.
Fees for Grand County Divorce Cases
Understanding costs helps you prepare for record requests in Grand County. Colorado sets standard fees that apply statewide. Grand County follows these guidelines for all divorce-related services.
Filing a new divorce petition costs $260. This fee applies to all dissolution of marriage cases in Grand County. Responses to petitions cost $146. Motions to modify existing decrees run $105 when filed after 60 days. These amounts reflect recent legislative updates from House Bill 2024-1286.
Research and retrieval fees may apply to complex requests. Name searches cost $5.00 per lookup. Off-site file retrieval incurs actual storage costs. Redaction work is billed at $30 per hour after the first free hour. Most simple copy requests avoid these extra charges.
Note: Fee waivers exist for qualifying low-income individuals who file proper motions with financial documentation.
Colorado Residency and Waiting Period Rules
Colorado law establishes specific requirements for divorce filings. These rules affect all Grand County cases. Understanding them helps explain court procedures and timeframes.
C.R.S. Section 14-10-106 requires 91 days of Colorado residency before filing. Either spouse must meet this requirement. The same 91-day period serves as a mandatory waiting period. Courts cannot issue final decrees until this time passes. No exceptions exist for this waiting period in Grand County.
Children must live in Colorado for 182 days before custody decisions. This six-month requirement is separate from the divorce filing rules. Cases involving children cannot address custody until this period passes. Grand County courts follow this statute strictly.
Jurisdiction depends on where spouses live when filing. Grand County residents file at the Hot Sulphur Springs courthouse. The court must have proper jurisdiction to grant divorces. Filing in the wrong county causes delays and extra costs.
What Grand County Divorce Records Include
Divorce case files contain various documents filed during proceedings. These records document the legal end of marriages in Grand County. Understanding what files contain helps you request the right materials.
The divorce petition starts every case. This document states the grounds for dissolution. Colorado allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The petition outlines requests for property division and child custody. Responses answer the petition and may include counterclaims.
Financial affidavits detail each party's income and assets. These forms are required in all Grand County divorce cases. Parenting plans address custody schedules and decision-making authority. Separation agreements show settlements reached by both parties. The final decree officially ends the marriage and incorporates all terms.
Most Grand County divorce records are public under Colorado law. Anyone can request to view case files. Some sensitive information may be redacted. Social security numbers and financial account details receive protection. Sealed cases remain restricted to parties and their attorneys.
State Verification Services for Grand County Divorces
The Colorado Department of Public Health provides divorce verifications. This service differs from court records held in Grand County. CDPHE can confirm divorces occurred but lacks case details.
Divorce verifications cost $17 per record. Processing takes about thirty business days for online orders. You can order through VitalChek for faster service. Phone orders are available at 303-692-2200. The CDPHE office is located at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver.
Verification documents work for simple proof of divorce. They show names, dates, and locations. They do not include property settlements or custody orders. Most legal matters require certified decrees from the Grand County clerk. Choose the right document based on your specific needs.
Communities Served by Grand County Court
Grand County includes several mountain towns and resort communities. All residents file divorce cases at the Hot Sulphur Springs courthouse. Winter Park serves as a major ski destination in the county. Granby provides another population center for residents. Grand Lake sits near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hot Sulphur Springs itself hosts the county government offices. Kremmling lies to the west in the upper Colorado River valley. Smaller communities include Fraser and Tabernash. All these areas fall under Grand County District Court jurisdiction. Divorce records for residents of any town are stored at the main courthouse.
