El Paso County Divorce Records

Divorce records in El Paso County, Colorado, can be accessed through several channels. ElPasoCOCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also obtain records directly from the district court that issued the decree, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office, or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which serves as the state vital records office. The access method depends on whether you need a court file or a vital record certificate.

El Paso County Divorce Records Search

In Colorado, divorce cases are called "dissolution of marriage" proceedings. El Paso County divorce records are maintained by two primary offices:

• El Paso County Combined Courts – Clerk's Office: The clerk of the 4th Judicial District Court maintains the official court case files for all divorces filed in El Paso County. These files include the petition for dissolution, the decree of dissolution, separation agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, property division orders, and other filings made during the case.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): The state vital records office maintains divorce certificates — summary records that confirm a divorce occurred, listing the parties' names, date of decree, county, and case number. CDPHE holds divorce records from 1900 to the present.

The court's collection is the most detailed source. Divorce certificates from CDPHE are typically used for proof of divorce status rather than for reviewing the full case history.

You can search for divorce case docket information through the Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search tool by selecting the El Paso County Judicial Building location.

Where Divorce Records Are Filed in El Paso County

Understanding which office holds what you need will save time. Here is how divorce records are organized in El Paso County:

District Court – 4th Judicial District

All dissolution of marriage cases in El Paso County are filed in and adjudicated by the District Court within the 4th Judicial District. After a divorce decree is entered by a judge, it becomes part of the permanent court record maintained by the Clerk of Court. This is where you go for:

• Copies of the divorce decree or decree of dissolution
• Separation agreements and property settlement documents
• Parenting plans and custody orders
• Any motions, modifications, or post-decree filings

To request copies of court documents, you can submit a Record/Document Request Form through the Colorado Judicial Branch or visit the clerk's office in person.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Vital Records

CDPHE maintains divorce certificates (not full court files) for divorces granted in Colorado. These certificates verify that a divorce took place and include basic identifying information. They are commonly requested for remarriage, name changes, or benefits applications. Certified copies are restricted to qualified applicants under Colorado law — generally the parties to the divorce, their legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest.

Which Office Should You Contact?

The Colorado Judicial Branch Access Guide to Public Records explains what court records are generally available to the public and any restrictions that may apply. Some portions of divorce files — particularly financial disclosures and records involving minor children — may be restricted from public view.

Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in El Paso County