La Plata County Family Court Records
La Plata County family court records are open to the public. The county sits in the 6th Judicial District of Colorado. Durango serves as the county seat. The La Plata County Combined Court houses all family court cases. You can find divorce files, custody orders, and support records here. These records help people who need copies of court orders.
The 6th Judicial District handles family cases for three counties. La Plata is one of them. Archuleta and San Juan are the others. The court system works to keep records clear. Staff at the Combined Court can help you locate files. They follow rules set by the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Family cases in La Plata County include many types. Divorce is the most common. Child custody disputes are also filed. The court hears cases about child support. Protection orders are filed here too. Each case gets a unique number. This number helps track the file.
Where to Find La Plata County Family Court Records
The main place to get La Plata County family court records is the Combined Court. The building sits at 1060 East 2nd Avenue in Durango. This location serves all of La Plata 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.
The court serves a large area in southwest Colorado. It handles cases from rural areas too. Some people travel long distances to reach the court. The court offers phone help for those who cannot visit. You can call to ask about case status. Staff can explain how to get copies.
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 La Plata County
La Plata 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.
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. Records of these orders are available to the public. Some details may be sealed for safety. The court follows state rules on access.
Requesting Family Court Records in La Plata County
You have options when you need family court records from La Plata County. The fastest way is to visit the Combined Court in Durango. 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.
If you cannot visit in person, you can request records by mail. You can also use email. Include all the details you know. Give your contact info. State what copies you need. There may be fees for this service. The court will let you know the cost.
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. These need a court order to open.
Online Search Options for La Plata 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. The court also has phone help for searches.
Legal Resources in La Plata County
La Plata County has help for people with family court cases. The court staff can explain basic steps. They can point you to forms. They cannot give legal advice. But they help you understand your options. This is useful for people without lawyers.
The Colorado Judicial Branch has self-help resources online. These offer forms and guides. You can find help with divorce and custody. The site also has info on protection orders. Visit the state access guide for more details.
Court costs in La Plata 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.