Chaffee County Family Court Records
Chaffee County is in central Colorado. It sits in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The county seat is Salida. About 20,000 people live here. The Arkansas River runs through the county. Many residents enjoy outdoor activities year round. Family court cases are handled in Salida.
The 11th Judicial District serves Chaffee County. This district also covers Custer, Fremont, and Park counties. All family law matters go through the district court in Salida. The court hears divorce cases. It also hears custody disputes. Child support matters are decided here too. The court follows Colorado state laws. These laws govern all family court cases.
Records from Chaffee County family court are public. Some cases have sealed records. This happens when minors are involved. It also happens with sensitive information. Most files can be viewed by the public. You can visit the courthouse to see them. You can also use online tools. These help you find case details.
Where to Find Chaffee County Family Court Records
The Chaffee County Combined Court is in Salida. It is located at 142 Crestone Avenue. This building houses all court operations. The clerk of court keeps the records. You can visit during business hours. The office opens at 8:00 AM. It closes at 5:00 PM. The office is closed on weekends. It is also closed on state holidays.
You can call the court clerk for help. The phone number is (719) 539-2561. Staff can tell you how to get copies. They can also explain the fees. Each page costs money to copy. Certified copies cost more. You should bring exact change. This makes the process faster.
Types of Family Court Records in Chaffee County
Many types of cases create family court records. Divorce is the most common. These cases end marriages. They split property between spouses. They also set up custody arrangements. Child support orders come from divorce cases. Spousal support may be ordered too. All of these become part of the record.
Other cases include paternity actions. These establish who a child's father is. They also create support orders. Adoption cases are filed in family court. These make a child legally part of a new family. Name changes happen here too. Guardianship cases appoint people to care for minors. Each case type has its own file. Each file contains many documents.
Protection orders are also filed in family court. These help keep people safe from harm. They are often linked to domestic violence. The records show who requested protection. They also show what the court ordered. Violations of these orders are recorded too. All of this information is kept on file.
Requesting Family Court Records in Chaffee County
You can request records in person. Go to the clerk's office in Salida. Fill out a request form. Provide the case number if you have it. If not, give the names of the parties. Also provide the approximate date. This helps staff find the file.
There is a fee for copies. Each page costs $0.75. Certified copies cost $20.00 per document. You can pay with cash or check. Credit cards may be accepted. Call ahead to confirm payment options. Bring photo ID with you. This proves who you are.
Online Search Options for Chaffee County
Colorado has a statewide court records system. It is called CoCourts.com. You can search cases from Chaffee County there. The system has basic case information. It shows party names. It shows case numbers. It shows filing dates. It also shows case status.
The Colorado Judicial Branch website offers another option. Visit coloradojudicial.gov for guidance. This page explains how to access public records. It lists what records are available. It also explains any limits on access.
CoCourts charges fees for detailed searches. Basic searches are free. You pay for document viewing. You also pay for copies. Create an account to start. Add funds to your account. Then you can view full records. This works for Chaffee County cases.
For official requests, use the Records Request Form. Find it at coloradojudicial.gov. Fill out the form completely. Submit it to the court clerk. This is the formal process.
Legal Resources in Chaffee County
People who need legal help have options. Colorado Legal Services helps low-income residents. They offer free legal aid. Call them at 1-800-521-6968. You can also visit their website. They help with family law cases. This includes divorce and custody.
The Chaffee County Bar Association can help too. They offer lawyer referral services. This connects you with local attorneys. Initial consultations may have a reduced fee. Ask about this when you call.
The Colorado Judicial Branch provides self-help resources. Visit their website for forms. You can find instructions there. These help people who represent themselves. The forms follow state law. They are accepted in Chaffee County courts.
