Summit County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Summit County in 2026
SummitCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Summit County, Colorado. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, and final decree information through official court resources. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property division orders, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Colorado Judicial Branch case search system, the Summit County District Court Clerk's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and third-party online tools that aggregate publicly available court data.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Colorado Courts Case Search portal is the most common method for locating divorce records online. Members of the public may search by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains a statewide portal that allows searches across multiple jurisdictions. This consolidated database is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain.
3. State Vital Records
Colorado does not issue divorce certificates through its vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains verification letters confirming that a divorce was granted, which may be requested for a fee.
In-Person Searches
Summit County District Court — Clerk of Court:
Summit County District Court
501 N. Park Avenue
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: (970) 453-2241
Summit County District Court
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Obtain staff assistance for locating archived records
Records Department:
The Clerk of Court maintains both active and archived case files. Historical records predating electronic filing may be stored in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for archived cases should be submitted directly to the Clerk's office.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Summit County District Court, 501 N. Park Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requester's full name and contact information
- Specified documents requested
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, subject to case volume and record availability.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (970) 453-2241
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
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 obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Colorado Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law practitioners. Attorney assistance is particularly useful in complex cases involving sealed records or post-judgment enforcement matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses, including maiden names where applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses within Colorado
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Pursuant to § 14-10-106 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, a petition for dissolution of marriage must be 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. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under current Colorado law, at least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for a minimum of 91 days before the court may enter a decree of dissolution. The petition is filed in the county of that spouse's residence.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized decrees may not appear in the online system immediately following the final hearing.
- Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final order is entered.
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format.
- Retrieval of archived records may require additional time and a specific written request to the Clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of search
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk of Court at (970) 453-2241 to request assistance
- Attempt alternate name spellings and both spouses' names
- Search the statewide Colorado Courts Case Search portal
- Request a divorce verification letter from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
What Are Summit County Divorce Records?
Summit County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Summit 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 applicable access provisions under Colorado law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the full range of documents filed during the proceeding:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Proposed and final parenting plans
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree of Dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes:
- The legal date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and allocation of debts
- Spousal maintenance provisions, if ordered
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes including remarriage, name change documentation, immigration proceedings, Social Security benefit claims, and estate planning.
Supporting Documents filed in the case may include financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, child support calculation worksheets, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing the division of retirement accounts.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Court for the Summit County District Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides electronic access to case docket information through its public case search system. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains a separate registry of divorce verifications, though this record contains limited information compared to the full court file.
Legal Framework:
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Colorado are governed by the Colorado Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act, codified at § 14-10-101 et seq. of the Colorado Revised Statutes. Public access to court records is governed by the Colorado Open Records Act and the Colorado Rules for District Courts, which establish a presumption of public access subject to specific enumerated exceptions.
Are Summit County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Summit County District Court are public court records under Colorado law, and members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within those files are subject to restriction or redaction pursuant to court rules and state statute.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
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 subject to limited access
- Certain financial statements may be filed under restricted access
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluation records
- Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed
- Guardian ad litem reports are restricted
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications, which are confidential by statute
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a 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. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required at the courthouse.
- 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 case files; access to sealed records requires court authorization and may implicate First Amendment considerations.
Prohibited Uses of Records:
- Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
- Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
- Violation of any protective order issued in the case
- Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Summit County?
The Summit County District Court Clerk charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records in accordance with the Colorado fee schedule established by the Colorado Judicial Department. 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 court records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copies obtained through the Colorado Courts Case Search online portal may be subject to separate electronic document fees.
- Divorce verification letters obtained through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are subject to that office's current fee schedule.
- Accepted payment methods at the Clerk's office include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Summit County District Court.
- Fee waiver provisions may be available for indigent parties pursuant to applicable Colorado court rules. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should inquire directly with the Clerk of Court.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Summit County
A complete Summit County divorce case file contains all documents filed from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents members of the public may encounter when reviewing a divorce case file.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption including case number, court name, and names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Filing date, case type designation, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (Colorado is a no-fault state, requiring only a finding of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage), information regarding minor children, and the relief requested including property division, spousal maintenance, and child-related orders.
The Response filed by the respondent states that party's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, and any counterpetition for relief.
Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents:
Discovery materials may include interrogatories and answers under oath, requests for production of financial documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.
Property-Related Documents:
The marital asset and debt inventory identifies and values all property subject to division, including real property appraisals, business valuations, and personal property appraisals prepared by qualified experts.
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
The Parenting Plan establishes legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (primary residence), the regular parenting time schedule, holiday and vacation schedules, transportation arrangements, and provisions governing relocation, communication between parents, and major decisions regarding education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.
The Child Support Worksheet documents the income of both parties, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare costs, and calculates the support amount in accordance with the Colorado Child Support Guidelines.
Custody evaluations ordered by the court, guardian ad litem reports, and home studies may be included in the file, though these documents are subject to restricted access.
Settlement Documents:
The Marital Settlement Agreement is a comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related provisions. Upon court approval, the agreement is incorporated into the final decree.
Court Orders and Judgments:
Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, temporary support, temporary use of the marital residence, and restraining orders. The Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage is the court's definitive order terminating the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all final provisions regarding property, support, custody, and any name restoration.
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is entered as a separate order when retirement plan benefits are divided, directing the plan administrator to distribute benefits in accordance with the divorce decree.
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
Post-judgment filings may include petitions to modify custody or support, motions for contempt based on non-compliance, income deduction orders for support enforcement, and liens filed against property.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public documents)
- Addresses and schools of minor children
- Domestic violence evidence and related protective order details
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications, which are confidential under Colorado law
- Trade secrets contained in business valuation materials
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Summit County?
Proof of divorce in Summit County is obtained through the Summit County District Court Clerk's office or, for limited verification purposes, through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Certified Copy of Final Decree:
The most comprehensive and legally recognized proof of divorce is a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Members of the public may obtain a certified copy by:
- Appearing in person at the Summit County District Court Clerk's office at 501 N. Park Avenue, Breckenridge, CO 80424, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), providing the case number or names of both parties, and paying the applicable certification fee.
- Submitting a written mail request to the same address with the required identifying information, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Searching the Colorado Courts Case Search portal to locate the case and then contacting the Clerk to arrange for a certified copy.
Divorce Verification Letter:
For purposes that require only confirmation that a divorce was granted rather than the full decree, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Records issues divorce verification letters. These letters confirm the names of the parties, the county of filing, and the date the decree was entered. They do not contain the terms of the decree.
Summit County District Court
501 N. Park Avenue
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: (970) 453-2241
Summit County District Court
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — Vital Records
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: (303) 692-2200
Colorado Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Summit County?
Divorce proceedings in Summit County are presumptively public, but Colorado law and court rules permit the sealing or restriction of specific records under defined circumstances. A divorce case or portions of a case file may be treated as confidential in the following situations:
- Domestic violence cases: Documents containing the address or identifying information of a domestic violence victim may be sealed or redacted to protect the safety of the individual, consistent with Colorado's victim protection statutes.
- Sealed by court order: Either party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
- Children's sensitive information: Records containing psychological evaluations of children, guardian ad litem reports, and child custody evaluation reports are subject to restricted access under Colorado Rules for District Courts.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record pursuant to § 13-22-307 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
- Mental health and medical records: Records containing protected health information are subject to redaction or sealing consistent with applicable state and federal privacy law.
- Confidential settlements: Terms of settlement reached outside of court proceedings and not incorporated into a court order are not part of the public record.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Summit County District Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Summit County Keep Divorce Records?
Summit County District Court retains divorce records in accordance with the Colorado State Archives retention schedule and the Colorado Judicial Department's records management policies. Retention periods vary by record type:
- Final decrees and judgments: Retained permanently. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction.
- Complete case files (active and closed): Under current Colorado court records retention policy, district court civil and domestic relations case files are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, after which they may be transferred to the Colorado State Archives or microfilmed for long-term preservation.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system are maintained in the court's electronic records management system and are accessible through the Colorado Courts Case Search portal.
- Paper records (pre-electronic filing): Older paper case files may be stored at the courthouse or transferred to off-site archival storage. Retrieval of archived paper records may require additional time and a specific written request to the Clerk of Court.
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period as the underlying case.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file; some financial documents may be subject to earlier destruction pursuant to applicable court rules governing non-essential filed materials.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than ten years ago should contact the Summit County District Court Clerk directly at (970) 453-2241 to confirm availability and retrieval procedures. The Colorado State Archives may also hold historical court records transferred from district courts.