Alamosa County Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage cases in Alamosa County are handled by the District Court in the 12th Judicial District. The courthouse maintains all dissolution files and decrees for cases filed in Alamosa County. You can request records online, by mail, or in person at the clerk's office. Staff can help you find case files if you have the names of both parties or a case number. Most record requests are completed within a few business days if the file is readily available.
Alamosa County Quick Facts
Alamosa County Court System
Alamosa County is part of the 12th Judicial District, which also includes Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. The District Court handles dissolution of marriage cases along with other domestic relations matters. The court follows Colorado law for all dissolution proceedings, including residency requirements and waiting periods.
To file for dissolution in Alamosa County, at least one spouse must have been a Colorado resident for 91 days before filing. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, the court must find that the marriage is irretrievably broken before granting a dissolution. There is also a mandatory 91-day waiting period after the respondent is served or files a response. This wait cannot be shortened and gives both parties time to work out agreements on property, support, and parenting issues if there are children.
You can find general information about the 12th Judicial District courts at coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/alamosa-county. The page includes contact information, hours of operation, and links to forms and resources for people representing themselves in dissolution cases. Check the website for any closures or schedule changes before visiting in person.
The clerk's office can answer basic questions about filing requirements, fees, and how to get copies of court documents. If you need to find an old case or get a certified copy of a decree, staff can search the court's records and tell you what is available. They can also explain the process for requesting files that are stored off-site or in archives.
File For Dissolution In Alamosa County
The filing fee for a dissolution petition in Alamosa County is $260. This fee is set by Colorado statute under C.R.S. § 13-32-101 and applies across all counties. If the other spouse files a response, that costs $146. If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a fee waiver by submitting an affidavit that shows your income, expenses, and assets. The judge will review your financial information and decide if you qualify for a full or partial waiver.
When you file the petition, an automatic temporary injunction takes effect immediately. This is required by C.R.S. § 14-10-107. The injunction stops both spouses from hiding assets, selling property, or removing children from the state without court permission. It stays in place until the case is finalized or the judge modifies it. This protects both parties during the dissolution process and prevents one spouse from gaining an unfair advantage.
After filing, you must serve the petition on the other spouse. They have time to respond to the allegations and requests in the petition. The court cannot enter a final decree until at least 91 days have passed from the date of service or the date the respondent filed a response. This waiting period is mandatory under Colorado law. During this time, spouses often negotiate agreements on property division, spousal support, and parenting plans if there are kids. If both parties agree on all issues, they may be able to get a decree without appearing at a hearing by using the affidavit process outlined in Colorado court rules.
Request Dissolution Records
Alamosa County residents can request dissolution of marriage records in several ways. The online records request form is available at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. Fill in the case type, both parties' names, and the case number if you know it. The clerk will review your request and contact you with the cost and payment instructions. Most requests are processed within three business days unless there are complications with the file.
For mail requests, write to the Alamosa County Clerk with the names of both spouses, the case number, and a description of the documents you need. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will mail the copies back once the request is complete. If the file is stored off-site, it may take a few extra days to retrieve it. Contact the courthouse directly for the current mailing address and any special instructions.
You can also visit the courthouse in person during regular business hours. Bring the case details with you. Staff can look up the case in the system and tell you what records are available. If the file is on paper and not in the digital system, they will request it from storage. This can take a few days depending on where the file is kept.
Third-party services like CoCourts.com provide access to the register of actions for Alamosa County cases. The register shows case filings, hearings, and basic case information. It does not include the actual documents. To get copies of decrees, petitions, or settlement agreements, you still need to contact the court directly.
Copy Fees And Costs
Copy fees in Alamosa County follow the state schedule. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page for single-sided pages and $0.50 per page for double-sided pages. If you are a party to the case, the maximum fee is $15 no matter how many pages are in the file. Non-parties pay the per-page rate with no cap. Certified copies cost $20 per document. A certified copy includes a seal and the clerk's signature, which is required for legal uses such as proving marital status or submitting to another court or government agency.
If your file is stored off-site or requires more than one hour of staff time to locate, research, or redact information, extra fees may apply. Off-site retrieval fees are based on the actual cost to bring the file to the courthouse. Research and redaction fees are $30 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments. Ask the clerk for a cost estimate before you pay so you know the total amount you will owe.
Property And Support In Alamosa Cases
When Alamosa County courts divide property in dissolution cases, they follow Colorado law under C.R.S. § 14-10-113. The court first sets apart each spouse's separate property, which includes anything owned before the marriage, gifts or inheritances received by one spouse during the marriage, and property excluded by a valid prenuptial agreement. The court then divides marital property equitably, which does not always mean equally. Marital property is everything acquired during the marriage, including income, real estate, retirement accounts, and personal belongings.
The court considers several factors when dividing marital property. These include the contribution of each spouse to the marriage, the value of separate property each spouse has, and the economic circumstances each spouse will face after the dissolution. The goal is a fair division based on the specific facts of the case. Even if an asset is in only one spouse's name, it may still be marital property if it was acquired during the marriage.
Spousal maintenance may be awarded if one spouse needs financial support after the dissolution. Colorado has advisory guidelines under C.R.S. § 14-10-114 that help calculate the amount and duration of maintenance based on the length of the marriage and the combined income of both spouses. Maintenance is not automatic. The court considers whether the spouse seeking support can meet reasonable needs from other sources and whether the paying spouse has the ability to pay.
Self-Help Resources
The Colorado Judicial Branch website has self-help resources for people handling dissolution cases without a lawyer. The divorce and separation page at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation includes forms for filing a petition, responding to one, and requesting a decree without a hearing. Many Alamosa County residents use these forms and instructions to complete their own cases, especially when there are no children or major property disputes.
If you need legal advice, consider consulting a family law attorney in Alamosa County. Attorneys can explain your rights, help you prepare documents, and represent you in court if needed. Legal aid organizations may also assist if you meet income guidelines. You can view the full list of court fees at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/list-fees. This page shows filing fees for petitions, responses, motions to modify, and other family law filings.
Nearby Counties
If you need dissolution records from counties near Alamosa, check these pages:
Each county maintains its own dissolution records. You must contact the county where the case was filed to get copies.
Note: The 12th Judicial District covers six counties in southern Colorado. All counties in the district follow the same state laws for dissolution proceedings, but each county clerk maintains separate records.