Summit County Family Court Records

Summit County family court records are open to the public. The county sits in the 5th Judicial District of Colorado. Breckenridge serves as the county seat. This mountain county is a major tourist destination. Ski resorts draw visitors year-round. The Summit 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.

The 5th Judicial District handles family cases for four counties. Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake, and Summit are served. Summit County has a growing full-time population. Many families make their home here. 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 Summit County include divorce. Child custody disputes are also heard here. The court handles child support matters. Protection orders can be filed as well. Each case gets a unique number. This number helps track the file through the system.

Where to Find Summit County Family Court Records

The main place to get Summit County family court records is the Summit County Justice Center. The building sits at 501 North Park Avenue in Breckenridge. This location serves all of Summit 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 970-453-2245. Call ahead to check hours and fees.

Breckenridge sits at high elevation. Winter weather can make travel difficult. Call before making the trip. This is wise during snow season. The staff can confirm they are open. They can also tell you what to bring.

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 Summit County

Summit 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. They also list support orders. 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.

Common family records in Summit County include:

• Divorce decrees and separation papers
• Child custody and visitation orders
• Child support calculations and orders
• Protection and restraining orders
• Name change orders

Requesting Family Court Records in Summit County

You have options when you need family court records from Summit County. The fastest way is to visit the Justice Center in Breckenridge. 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 the court clerk. Include all the details you know. Give your contact info. State what copies you need. There may be fees for this service. Call 970-453-2245 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. These need a court order to open.

Online Search Options for Summit 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 Summit 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 970-453-2245 for help

Legal Resources in Summit County

Summit County has help for people with family court cases. The 5th Judicial District offers resources. Staff can explain court forms. They can guide you through the process. They do not give legal advice. But they help you understand your options.

Court costs in Summit 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.