Colorado regulated access to public records with the Colorado Open Records Act which was enacted in 1969 and has since then been amended to reflect wider legislative changes. Like in all other states, there is no single agency in Colorado that keeps all public records, which is why the starting point for any journey into public archives is to identify the record custodian that you need. Once you do this, you can usually request the records you want either online, by phone, by mail or in person. Here are some common questions people have about public records in Colorado and where to find them.
Are birth records public in Colorado?
Colorado birth records are considered confidential according to the state’s
statutes. Records are private and are only available to immediate family
members, authorized legal representatives or by a court order. The state
does not provide a way to search for birth records online due to them being
confidential.
How do you order a copy of a birth certificate in Colorado?
An official copy of a Colorado birth certificate dating back to 1905 can be
obtained in several ways. They can be ordered in person, by mail or by
phone at the local Vital Records office in the county where the birth took
place. They can be ordered online or by phone through VitalCheck and
GoCertificates. These are both private companies that the state has
authorized to provide official state birth certificates. Official Colorado
birth certificates can also be ordered in person, by phone or by mail at:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Vital Records Section
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Are death records public in Colorado?
Death records are not public in Colorado. Only the deceased’s family and
certain eligible people may search for and order death certificates in
Colorado. These eligible people include immediate family members, a legal
representative of the family and a person with a court order.
How can you get a copy of a death certificate in Colorado?
To order an official copy of a Colorado death certificate, applicants must
provide driver's license or official state ID and proof showing
relationship to the deceased. Death certificates for deaths that occurred
after 1964 are available at the Vital Records office in the county where
the death occurred. They can also be ordered online or by phone through
VitalChek and GoCertificates. And finally, death certificates can be
ordered by phone, by mail and in person at:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Vital Records Section
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
Are Colorado marriage records public?
Marriage certificates for marriages that took place in 1960 or later are
considered confidential records in Colorado and are not publicly available.
Marriage records for marriages that took place before 1960 are public
records and are available for anyone to view and search.
How can you get a copy of a marriage certificate in Colorado?
Copies of original Colorado marriage licenses and certificates can be
ordered through the County Clerk and Recorder for the county where the
marriage took place. Only the people named on the marriage license or their
immediate family may order a copy.
Are divorce records public in Colorado?
Colorado divorce records are not public and are only available to eligible
parties including the people named on the records, immediate family members
or legal representatives of the divorced parties. Divorce records for
certain counties prior to 1975 and dating back to 1899 are available to the
public in searchable online databases at the Colorado State Archives.
How do you get a copy of your Colorado divorce decree?
Certified copies of the original Colorado divorce decree are available at
the county district court for the county where the divorce occurred. Only
the people named in the divorce, their immediate family or legal
representatives of the divorced parties may request a copy of the decree.
Are Colorado adoption records public?
Adoption records are considered confidential in Colorado. Only adult
adoptees, adoptive parents of minor adoptees, custodial grandparents of
minor adoptees, birth parents, siblings with one birth parent in common who
was relinquished or adopted or their legal representatives may access
Colorado adoption records.
Spouses of an adult adoptee, adoptive parents of an adult adoptee, adoptive
siblings, adult descendants of an adult adoptee, grandparents of an adult
adoptee or their legal representatives can also access adoption records in
Colorado if they have notarized written consent from the adult adoptee or
if the adult adoptee is deceased and they have a certified copy of the
death certificate.
Are court records public in Colorado?
Almost all court records in Colorado are considered public. However, there
are some exceptions to this rule. Family court records, juvenile court
records and military records are kept from public view.
Are Colorado criminal records public?
Colorado criminal records and related documents that include arrests and
other legal matters are all available for the public to access. Police and
sheriff departments typically put out a list of criminal charges and
arrests in public newspapers and online public websites and forums.
Anyone can also access court dockets and other types of court records.
These records are kept on file at the state's Department of Public Safety,
and there is a criminal history database, or CCH, where people can request
a statewide criminal background check.
Where can you search for criminal records in Colorado?
Colorado is an open records state, and finding criminal records is
straightforward and simple here. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation holds
these records. The CBI is considered a department of the larger overall
Colorado Department of Public Safety.
Arrest and criminal records are maintained at the CBI's centralized
repository and members of the public can request these records either
online or by phone.
Most jails and other public safety organizations list incarcerated
individual's mugshots for view online or in a public record search office.
Certain sex offenders are also listed on special websites.
Where can you search for Colorado property and land records?
You can search for Colorado property and land records at the county
assessor’s office for the county that the property is located in. These may
include property owner information, history of a land parcel, property
titles and deeds. Other information may include tax assessments, land
surveys, maps and property sales records.
How do you check your driving record in Colorado?
Contact any local Colorado DMV in person or by mail. You will need
birthdate, license number, photo ID and payment. These records are only
available to the driver themselves unless the driver gives permission to
release their driving history to another party.