Chaffee County Public Records /Chaffee County Divorce Records

Chaffee County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Chaffee County in 2026

ChaffeeRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Chaffee County, Colorado. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property division orders, and post-decree modification records. Access and completeness may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Clerk of Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Courts Records Search portal maintained by the Colorado Judicial Branch is the most common method for locating divorce case information online. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply when requesting copies of documents.

2. State Court System Portal

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a statewide court portal that allows members of the public to search across jurisdictions and access a consolidated database of case records, including family law matters filed in Chaffee County District Court.

3. Colorado Vital Records

Colorado does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains a Divorce Records Index, but certified copies of the actual decree are obtained directly from the Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Vital Records
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: (303) 692-2200
Colorado Vital Records

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court – Chaffee County District Court
104 Crestone Avenue
Salida, CO 81201
Phone: (719) 539-2561
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Chaffee County – Colorado Judicial Branch

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance for locating archived or older records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Clerk of Court, Chaffee County District Court, 104 Crestone Avenue, Salida, CO 81201
Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the case number if known, requestor contact information, payment for applicable copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope
Processing time is typically one to two weeks for standard requests

By Phone

Limited Information:

Clerk of Court: (719) 539-2561
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, case status, and filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filings, or confidential information by telephone

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Colorado may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and assist with complex searches involving multiple jurisdictions. The Colorado Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Colorado
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Colorado law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The Docket Search tool on the Colorado Judicial Branch website allows searches across multiple counties simultaneously.

Residency Requirement: Pursuant to § 14-10-106 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, at least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for 91 days immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing; allow several business days to weeks for processing
Older records, particularly those predating electronic filing, may be archived and require additional retrieval time
Cases filed prior to the court's transition to electronic records may exist only in paper format

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not appear include the wrong county of search, name variations between married and maiden names, spelling differences, a case that remains pending and has not been finalized, very old records held in off-site storage, or a case that has been sealed by court order. Members of the public encountering difficulty may contact the Clerk of Court at (719) 539-2561, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the Colorado Vital Records index.

What Are Chaffee County Divorce Records?

Chaffee County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Chaffee County District Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the permanent family law case file and constitute public records subject to the Colorado Open Records Act, § 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete record of the proceeding, including:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child support worksheets
Settlement agreements and stipulations
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

The Final Decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property and debts, any spousal maintenance awarded, child custody and parenting time arrangements, child support obligations, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk of Court upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents filed in the case may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, property appraisals and business valuations, parenting plan modifications, and post-decree orders addressing enforcement or modification of prior judgments.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes with government agencies
Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
Facilitating Social Security benefit determinations
Enabling estate planning and property transfers
Assisting genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Clerk of Court for Chaffee County District Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains a statewide divorce index but does not hold the complete case file. The legal framework governing dissolution of marriage proceedings in Colorado is set forth in the Colorado Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act, codified at § 14-10-101 et seq., C.R.S.

Are Chaffee County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Chaffee County District Court are public court records, accessible to any member of the public pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act and the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. The presumption under Colorado law favors public access to court records, though specific categories of information within a case file may be restricted or redacted.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties and attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status information

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under restricted access
Certain financial disclosure statements may have limited public availability

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside are protected
Schools attended by minor children are not disclosed
Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
Psychological evaluations involving children are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are protected under state and federal law
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld pursuant to Colorado's Address Confidentiality Program

Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents filed under restricted access
Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing
Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record; sealed records require a court order

Prohibited Uses: Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order issued by the court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Chaffee County?

The Chaffee County District Court Clerk's office applies the standard fee schedule established by the Colorado Judicial Branch for all record copy requests. Current fees are as follows:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of document	$20.00 per document
Certification fee (per document)	Included in certified copy fee
Electronic copy (where available)	Varies; contact clerk
Search fee	No separate search fee

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
Certified copies of the final decree of dissolution are the most frequently requested documents and are subject to the $20.00 certification fee
Payment is accepted by cash, check made payable to the Clerk of Court, and credit or debit card at the courthouse window
Fee waivers are not available for record copy requests from third parties; parties who are indigent and seeking copies of their own case documents may inquire with the clerk regarding applicable court fee waiver procedures under Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 205.3
Online access to basic case information through the Courts Records Search portal is available at no charge; fees apply when ordering document copies through the portal

What's Included in Divorce Records in Chaffee County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Chaffee County District Court Clerk contains all documents filed from the initiation of the proceeding through post-decree matters. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents found in a dissolution of marriage case file.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and assigned judge
Names of petitioner and respondent
Attorneys of record and their contact information
Filing date, case type designation, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for dissolution of marriage, including the date and location of the marriage, date of separation, grounds for dissolution (Colorado is a no-fault state; the sole ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage), information regarding minor children, and relief requested
Response or answer filed by the respondent, including any counterpetition
Sworn financial affidavits submitted by both parties detailing income, monthly expenses, assets, and liabilities

Financial and Discovery Documents:

Tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and investment account records submitted during discovery
Interrogatory answers and responses to requests for production
Business financial statements where a party owns a business interest
Property appraisals and expert valuation reports

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory covering real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property
Debt inventory covering mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card obligations, and other liabilities
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing the division of retirement plan benefits

Children-Related Documents (where applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the regular and holiday timesharing schedule, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
Child support calculation worksheet prepared pursuant to the Colorado Child Support Guidelines
Custody evaluation reports prepared by court-appointed psychologists or evaluators (subject to restricted access)
Guardian ad litem reports (subject to restricted access)

Support Documents:

Spousal maintenance orders specifying the type, amount, duration, and termination conditions of any maintenance awarded
Income deduction orders for enforcement of support obligations

Settlement Documents:

Marital settlement agreement addressing all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreements incorporated into the settlement (mediation communications themselves remain confidential)

Court Orders and Final Judgment:

Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage, which constitutes the official court order terminating the marriage and resolving all issues presented

Post-Judgment Documents:

Petitions to modify custody, parenting time, or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders and liens

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Residential addresses and school information for minor children
Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not reduced to a filed agreement

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Chaffee County

Proof of divorce in Chaffee County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution of marriage issued by the Chaffee County District Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it acceptable for legal purposes including remarriage, name change applications, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit claims.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case number using the Courts Records Search portal or by contacting the Clerk of Court at (719) 539-2561
Submit a request in person at the Chaffee County District Court Clerk's office, 104 Crestone Avenue, Salida, CO 81201, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Alternatively, submit a written request by mail to the same address, including the names of both parties, the case number, the approximate date of the decree, requestor contact information, a check or money order for $20.00 per certified copy, and a self-addressed stamped envelope
Present valid government-issued photo identification when requesting records in person
Allow one to two weeks for mail requests to be processed and returned

Colorado Vital Records Divorce Index:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains a statewide divorce index for dissolutions recorded from 1900 forward. The index confirms that a divorce occurred and provides the county of filing, but it does not constitute a certified copy of the decree. Members of the public may use the index to identify the county of filing before requesting the certified decree from the appropriate district court.

Chaffee County District Court – Clerk of Court
104 Crestone Avenue
Salida, CO 81201
Phone: (719) 539-2561
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Chaffee County – Colorado Judicial Branch

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Chaffee County?

A divorce proceeding in Chaffee County may be made fully or partially confidential under limited circumstances recognized by Colorado law and court rule. The default rule is that dissolution of marriage records are public; confidentiality requires an affirmative court order or the application of a specific statutory protection.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:

Domestic violence cases: Pursuant to Colorado's Address Confidentiality Program, the residential addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld from public court records
Sealed case files: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file upon a showing of good cause; the court balances the public interest in access against the privacy interest asserted
Children's information: Information identifying the residence, school, or medical providers of minor children is protected and not disclosed in publicly accessible documents
Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected under both state law and federal law, including HIPAA, and are not part of the publicly accessible case file
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and do not appear in the public record
Guardian ad litem and custody evaluation reports: These documents are filed under restricted access and are not available to the general public without a court order

Members of the public seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Chaffee County District Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access. The court rules governing access to court records are set forth in Colorado Chief Justice Directive 05-01.

How Long Does Chaffee County Keep Divorce Records?

Chaffee County District Court retains divorce records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Colorado State Archives and the Colorado Judicial Branch. Dissolution of marriage records are among the categories of court records subject to permanent or long-term retention requirements.

Retention periods applicable to divorce records in Colorado include:

Final decrees of dissolution of marriage: Retained permanently; these records are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely
Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of the final judgment
Complete case files (uncontested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case
Post-decree modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the applicable retention period
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file; may be purged from the active file after the retention period but the final decree remains permanently accessible
Archived paper records: Cases filed prior to electronic filing may be held in off-site storage; retrieval may require additional processing time and advance notice to the Clerk of Court

Colorado's records retention requirements for judicial branch records are governed by the Colorado Judicial Department Records Retention Schedule, which is updated periodically by the State Court Administrator's Office. Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than ten years ago are advised to contact the Clerk of Court in advance to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.