Mesa County Family Court Records
Mesa County family court records are open to the public. The county sits in the 21st Judicial District of Colorado. Grand Junction serves as the county seat. The Mesa County Justice Center 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. They also help those who want to check case status. The court offers e-filing for Domestic Relations cases.
The 21st Judicial District handles thousands of family cases each year. Mesa County is one of the largest counties in western Colorado. Many families live in the Grand Valley area. This population means steady 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 Mesa 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. The court has free clinics for divorce without minor children.
Where to Find Mesa County Family Court Records
The main place to get Mesa County family court records is the Mesa County Justice Center. The building sits at 125 North Spruce Street in Grand Junction. This location serves all of Mesa County. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Clerk's Office closes at 4:30 p.m. 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 21st Judicial District covers Mesa County only. This means all court resources are focused here. The court has staff to handle the case volume. The phone number is 970-257-3640. Phones are answered between 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Jury Office can be reached at 970-257-3693. You can email mesajury@judicial.state.co.us for jury questions.
The Colorado Judicial Branch offers an online request form for records. This can be a good option if you cannot visit in person. You can also email MesaCourtDocuments@judicial.state.co.us for document filing. The form asks for case details. You will need names and dates. There may be a fee for copies. The Collections Unit is at 970-257-3640 Option 4. You can also email 21collections@judicial.state.co.us.
Types of Family Court Records in Mesa County
Mesa 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. Mesa County holds hearings for these orders. Records of these orders are available to the public. Some details may be sealed for safety. The court follows state rules on access.
Common family records in Mesa County include:
- Divorce decrees and separation papers
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Child support calculations and orders
- Protection and restraining orders
- Parenting plan agreements
- Name change orders
Requesting Family Court Records in Mesa County
You have options when you need family court records from Mesa County. The fastest way is to visit the Justice Center in Grand Junction. 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. For general questions, email 21selfhelp@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. The Collections Unit handles payments at 970-257-3640 Option 4.
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. The court offers self-help resources for those who need them.
Online Search Options for Mesa 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. Check pricing details on the site.
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. Mesa County offers e-filing for Domestic Relations cases. You can email documents to MesaCourtDocuments@judicial.state.co.us.
Here are ways to search online for Mesa County records:
- Use cocourts.com for public case lookup
- Email MesaCourtDocuments@judicial.state.co.us for filing
- Call 970-257-3640 for case status
- Email 21selfhelp@judicial.state.co.us for help
Legal Resources in Mesa County
Mesa County has help for people with family court cases. The court offers free clinics. These help with divorce without minor children. The clinics explain the process. They guide you through forms. They do not give legal advice. But they help you understand your options.
Protection order hearings are available. The court staff can help you fill out forms. The court offers parenting classes. These are required in some custody cases. You can register online through CASA or Behavioral Health programs. The court also has info on judicial officers who perform weddings.
Court costs in Mesa 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. The Collections Unit can work out payment plans. Call them at 970-257-3640 Option 4. You can also email 21collections@judicial.state.co.us.