Larimer County Divorce Records

What Are Larimer County Divorce Records?

Larimer County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Larimer County, Colorado. These records are maintained by the Larimer County District Court and contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details. Divorce records are part of the public record system and serve as official documentation that a marriage has been legally terminated.

The Larimer County District Court handles all divorce cases in the county and maintains these records as part of their official court documentation.

Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Are Larimer County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Larimer County are considered public records under Colorado law. This means that most divorce case information is accessible to anyone who requests it. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed by court order to protect privacy.

The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains these public records and makes them available through various access points, including in-person requests at the courthouse and online systems.

Colorado Judicial Branch, 1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

While divorce records are public, access to certain documents within a divorce file may be restricted, particularly if they contain sensitive personal or financial information, or if they involve minor children.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Larimer County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Larimer County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Visit the Larimer County District Court Clerk's office in person at the Justice Center.

   Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521

2. Use the Colorado Courts Records Search online system.

3. Submit a written request to the Larimer County District Court.

4. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Vital Records Section for a divorce certificate.

   Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246

When requesting records, you'll need to provide basic information such as the names of the parties involved in the divorce and the approximate date of the divorce filing or finalization. There may be fees associated with obtaining copies of divorce records, typically ranging from $0.75 per page for copies to $20 or more for certified copies.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Larimer County Online?

Looking up divorce records in Larimer County online can be done through the following methods:

1. Colorado Courts Records Search (CoCourts) - This is the official online portal for accessing court records throughout Colorado, including Larimer County.

   Visit: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/courts-records-search

2. Larimer County's public records portal, which provides access to various county records.

   Larimer County Clerk and Recorder, 200 West Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521

When using these online systems, you'll typically need to:

• Create an account or register as a guest
• Enter search criteria such as names of the parties involved
• Pay any applicable fees for viewing or downloading documents
• Note that some documents may only be available in summary form online, with full documents requiring an in-person request

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Larimer County?

Finding divorce records for free in Larimer County is possible through these methods:

1. Visit the Larimer County Justice Center and use the public access terminals to view records.

   Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521

2. Use the Colorado Courts Records Search as a registered public user, which allows free searches and viewing of basic case information.

3. Visit the Larimer County Law Library, which provides free access to legal resources and some court records.

   Larimer County Law Library, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 105, Fort Collins, CO 80521

While searching for records may be free, obtaining copies typically involves fees. Basic case information is often available at no cost, but detailed documents usually require payment for copies.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Larimer County

Divorce records in Larimer County typically include:

1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage - The initial filing that starts the divorce process
2. Response from the other spouse
3. Financial disclosures from both parties
4. Separation agreement (if applicable)
5. Parenting plan (if children are involved)
6. Child support worksheets and orders
7. Property division agreements
8. Temporary orders issued during the proceedings
9. Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
10. Certificate of Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage

The most comprehensive records are found in the court case file at the Larimer County District Court. The divorce certificate, which is a simpler document confirming the divorce occurred, is available through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Larimer County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Larimer County, you have two main options:

1. Get a certified copy of the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage from the Larimer County District Court.

   Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521

   This requires:

   • Submitting a request in person or by mail
   • Providing the case number (if known) or names of both parties and approximate date of divorce
   • Paying the certification fee (typically $20-$25)

2. Obtain a Divorce Certificate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Vital Records Section.

   Vital Records Section, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246

   This requires:

   • Completing an application form
   • Providing identification
   • Paying the certificate fee (approximately $20)

For most official purposes, including remarriage, name changes, or immigration, a certified copy of the divorce decree is the preferred form of proof.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Larimer County?

While divorce records in Larimer County are generally public, there are ways to maintain some confidentiality:

1. Request to seal specific documents or the entire case file by filing a motion with the court. The judge will determine if there are compelling reasons to restrict public access.

2. Use a Domestic Relations Case Information Sheet (JDF 1000) which keeps certain personal information confidential.

3. Redact sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and children's information from filings.

4. Consider mediation or collaborative divorce, which can keep negotiations and settlements more private than litigation.

The court at Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 will only seal records in exceptional circumstances, such as:

• Risk of harm to a party or child
• Protection of trade secrets or sensitive financial information
• Prevention of identity theft
• Other compelling privacy concerns

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Larimer County?

The timeline for a divorce in Larimer County varies based on several factors:

1. Minimum waiting period: Colorado law requires a 91-day waiting period from the date of filing or service before a divorce can be finalized.

2. Uncontested divorces with complete agreements may be finalized shortly after the 91-day waiting period.

3. Contested divorces involving disputes over assets, debts, or child custody typically take 6-12 months.

4. Complex cases with significant assets, business valuations, or high conflict may take 1-2 years or longer.

Factors that affect the timeline include:

• Court caseload and scheduling
• Cooperation between parties
• Complexity of assets and debts to divide
• Whether child custody is contested
• Need for expert witnesses or evaluations

The Larimer County District Court (201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521) handles divorce cases as efficiently as possible, but parties can help expedite the process by reaching agreements outside of court when possible.

How Long Does Larimer County Keep Divorce Records?

Larimer County maintains divorce records permanently. As legal documents of significant importance, divorce records are preserved indefinitely within the Colorado court system. However, the accessibility and storage method may change over time:

1. Recent records (typically less than 10 years old) are usually available electronically through the court's case management system.

2. Older records may be archived in physical storage or microfilm and might require more time to retrieve.

3. Very old records may be transferred to the Colorado State Archives.

   Colorado State Archives, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 120, Denver, CO 80203

If you need access to older divorce records, you may need to:

• Allow additional time for retrieval
• Pay additional fees for archived record searches
• Contact the State Archives for records that have been transferred from the county

How To Get a Divorce In Larimer County

To get a divorce in Larimer County, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you meet the residency requirement: At least one spouse must have been a Colorado resident for at least 91 days before filing.

2. Obtain and complete the necessary forms from the Colorado Judicial Branch website or the Larimer County Self-Help Center.

   Larimer County Justice Center Self-Help Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521

3. File the completed forms with the Larimer County District Court and pay the filing fee (approximately $230).

4. Serve the divorce papers to your spouse if they didn't co-file with you.

5. Wait through the mandatory 91-day waiting period.

6. Complete financial disclosures and exchange them with your spouse.

7. Negotiate a settlement on property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and parenting issues (if applicable).

8. Attend mediation if required by the court or if you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement.

9. Prepare a separation agreement and parenting plan (if children are involved).

10. Attend the final hearing if necessary, or submit final documents for the judge's approval if all issues are resolved.

11. Receive the Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage once approved by the judge.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Larimer County

Divorce papers for Larimer County can be obtained through several methods:

1. Download forms from the Colorado Judicial Branch website's Self-Help section.

   Visit: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation

2. Visit the Self-Help Center at the Larimer County Justice Center to get forms and assistance.

   Larimer County Justice Center Self-Help Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521

3. Use Colorado Legal Services if you qualify for low-income assistance.

   Colorado Legal Services, 211 West Magnolia Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521

4. Hire an attorney who will prepare and file the necessary paperwork for you.

The basic forms needed include:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1101)
• Summons for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1102)
• Case Information Sheet (JDF 1000)
• Financial affidavit (JDF 1111)
• Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111)
• Parenting Plan (JDF 1113) if children are involved
• Child Support Worksheet if children are involved

Most forms are available at no cost, though printing fees may apply if you obtain them in person.

Lookup Divorce Records in Larimer County

For comprehensive access to divorce records in Larimer County, you can utilize these official resources:

• Public Records | Larimer County - Access various public records in Larimer County, including court records and legal documents.

• Courts Records Search | Colorado Judicial Branch - Search for court records across Colorado, including Larimer County divorce cases.

• Divorce and Separation | Colorado Judicial Branch - Find resources and forms for divorce and legal separation in Colorado.

• Larimer County | Colorado Judicial Branch - Get information about Larimer County courts, including locations, contact details, and services.

These resources provide official information directly from government sources, ensuring you have accurate and up-to-date access to divorce records and related information.