Adams County Family Court Records
Adams County family court records are open to the public. The county sits in the 17th Judicial District of Colorado. Brighton serves as the county seat. The Adams County Justice Center houses all family court cases. You can find divorce files, custody orders, and adoption records here. These records help people who need copies of court orders. They also help those who want to check case status.
The 17th Judicial District handles thousands of family cases each year. Adams County is one of the fastest growing areas in Colorado. Many families move here each month. This growth means more court filings. The court system works to keep records clear and easy to find. Staff at the Justice Center can help you locate files. They follow rules set by the Colorado Judicial Branch. Access to these records is protected under state public records law.
Family cases in Adams County include many types. Divorce is the most common. Child custody disputes come next. The court also hears cases about child support. Protection orders are filed here too. Each case gets a unique number. This number helps track the file through the system.
Where to Find Adams County Family Court Records
The main place to get Adams County family court records is the Adams County Justice Center. The building sits at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. This location serves all of Adams County. You can visit in person during business hours. Staff can help you find the records you need. They can also make copies for you right there. The phone number is 303-659-1161. Call ahead to check hours and fees.
Broomfield County is also part of the 17th Judicial District. It shares court services with Adams County. Some records for Broomfield cases may be at the same location. Always check which county filed the case first. This saves you time and effort.
The Colorado Judicial Branch offers an online request form for records. This can be a good option if you cannot visit in person. The form asks for case details. You will need names and dates. There may be a fee for copies.
Types of Family Court Records in Adams County
Adams County keeps many types of family court records. Divorce decrees are the most sought after. These papers show that a marriage has ended. They list terms about property and support. They also list child custody plans. You may need a certified copy for legal reasons. The court can provide this type of copy.
Other records include custody orders. These come from cases about where children will live. They show visitation schedules too. Child support orders are also on file. These state how much one parent must pay. They show when payments are due. All these records are part of the public file.
Protection orders are filed in family court as well. These orders help keep people safe. They tell one person to stay away from another. Adams County holds hearings for these orders each day at 1:30 p.m. You must file by 11:00 a.m. to get on that day's schedule. Records of these orders are available to the public. Some details may be sealed for safety.
Common family records in Adams County include:
- Divorce decrees and separation papers
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Child support calculations and orders
- Protection and restraining orders
- Adoption records (limited access)
- Name change orders
Requesting Family Court Records in Adams County
You have options when you need family court records from Adams County. The fastest way is to visit the Justice Center in Brighton. Bring photo ID with you. Know the case number if you have it. Also bring the names of the parties. The year of the case helps too. Staff can search with this info. They can pull the file and make copies.
If you cannot visit in person, you can request records by mail. You can also use email. Send your request to AdamsRecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us. Include all the details you know. Give your contact info. State what copies you need. There may be fees for this service. Call 303-654-3239 to ask about costs.
The court follows Colorado Open Records laws. These laws are found in C.R.S. § 24-72-201 and C.R.S. § 24-72-203. They say most court records are public. You have a right to see them. Some records may be sealed by law. Adoption records are one example. These need a court order to open.
Online Search Options for Adams County
Colorado offers online tools to search court records. The main site is www.cocourts.com. This site lets you look up cases by name. You can also search by case number. Basic info is free to view. This includes case status and hearing dates. Some documents cost money to view.
The online system does not have every document. Some older cases may not be in the system. For these, you must visit the court. The system is best for recent cases. It is updated daily.
Here are ways to search online for Adams County records:
- Use the Colorado Courts e-filing portal for case status
- Check cocourts.com for public case lookup
- Submit an email request for document copies
- Call the records line at 303-654-3239 for help
Legal Resources in Adams County
Adams County has help for people with family court cases. The Court Resource Center is a key place to start. They offer help to people without lawyers. You can call them at 303-654-3213. You can also email 17shrc@judicial.state.co.us. They can explain court forms. They can guide you through the process. They do not give legal advice. But they help you understand your options.
Protection order hearings happen daily. You must file your forms by 11:00 a.m. The hearing is at 1:30 p.m. that same day. This quick process helps people who need fast protection. The Court Resource Center can help you fill out these forms.
Court costs in Adams County follow state law. C.R.S. § 13-32-104 sets the fees. You may ask for a fee waiver if you cannot pay. Forms for this are at the court. The staff can explain how to apply.