Divorce records in Garfield County, Colorado can be accessed through several channels. GarfieldCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Garfield County. You can also obtain records directly from the district court that issued the decree, the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder, or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which serves as the state vital records office. The method you choose depends on whether you need a court file or a vital record certificate.
Garfield County Divorce Records Search
In Colorado, divorce cases are called "dissolution of marriage" proceedings and are handled by the district court. The Garfield County District Court, part of the 9th Judicial District, maintains the official court files for divorces granted in the county. These files can include:
- Decrees of dissolution of marriage (divorce decrees)
- Separation agreements and property settlement documents
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Motions, responses, and other case filings
The CDPHE Vital Records Section maintains a statewide index of divorce certificates — shorter summary documents that confirm a divorce occurred, the parties involved, and the date of the decree. Court records contain the full case detail, while vital record certificates are typically used for proof of divorce status.
Contact the court clerk's office to confirm current hours before visiting, as schedules may change.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Garfield County
Understanding which office holds the record you need will save time. In Colorado, divorce cases are filed in and decided by the district court in the county where at least one spouse resides. For Garfield County, that is the 9th Judicial District Court in Glenwood Springs.
District Court Clerk — Full Case Files
After a judge signs a decree of dissolution, the complete case file stays with the district court clerk. If you need copies of the decree itself, settlement agreements, custody orders, or any pleadings, contact the court clerk. You can search for case docket information using the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search tool or submit a record/document request form through the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
Colorado Vital Records — Divorce Certificates
The CDPHE Vital Records Section keeps divorce verification records for dissolutions that occurred statewide. If you only need a certificate confirming a divorce took place — rather than the full court file — you can request one from the state office. Divorce certificates from CDPHE are available for events recorded from 1900 onward.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or court filings | Garfield County District Court Clerk |
| Custody orders or parenting plans | Garfield County District Court Clerk |
| Divorce certificate (proof of divorce) | CDPHE Vital Records Section |
| Recorded property documents related to a divorce settlement | Garfield County Clerk and Recorder |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Garfield County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copy (standard, per page) | $0.75 | Varies; contact clerk |
| Certified court document copy | $20.00 per document | Varies; contact clerk |
| Divorce certificate (CDPHE Vital Records) | $17.75 | Up to 2–3 weeks by mail |
| Online docket search (Colorado Judicial Branch) | No charge for basic docket information | Immediate |
| Record/document request via Colorado Judicial Branch form | Fees vary; set by clerk's office | Varies by request complexity |