Records of divorce in La Plata County, Colorado, are available through several channels. LaPlataCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly accessible information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, documents can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, at the county clerk's office, and at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) — the state office of civil registration. Online tools for court records search also help find the necessary case.
La Plata Divorce Records Search
In the state of Colorado, divorce cases are handled by the District Court. The clerk of the La Plata County Courthouse maintains complete case materials — from the initial petition to the final decision. The collection includes:
- Decree of dissolution of marriage
- Property settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Related motions and court orders
The state office of civil registration — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — maintains a separate registry and issues divorce certificates for events registered since 1900.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in La Plata
When a judge signs a divorce decree, it remains in the district court case file. The court clerk is the primary custodian of the complete set of documents. If you need a copy of the decree itself, a property agreement, or a custody order, contact the court clerk.
To obtain a divorce certificate (a short form that confirms the fact of divorce without case details), contact the state office of CDPHE. These are different documents with different purposes.
District Court — Complete Case Materials
Document requests can be submitted online through the document request form on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. A docket search is also available, where you can find a case by party name.
State Office of Civil Registration — Divorce Certificate
CDPHE issues certified divorce certificates. Orders can be placed by mail or through the state's online portal. The right to obtain a certified copy is usually granted to the parties of the divorce, their legal representatives, and certain government agencies.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in La Plata
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (regular) | $0.75 per page | 1–3 business days |
| Certified copy of court document | $20.00 per document | 3–5 business days |
| Divorce certificate (CDPHE, certified) | $17.75 | 2–3 weeks by mail |
| Online document request via Colorado Judicial Branch | Depends on volume | 5–10 business days |