How to Get a Colorado Divorce Certificate

Red tape is the last thing you want to deal with when you need a divorce certificate in Colorado. Used for a variety of common practices (e.g. changing names, remarrying), a Colorado divorce certificate is supposed to be a convenience --and with DoNotPay it still can be. Whatever the purpose of a divorce certificate happens to be, you can get much-needed assistance for a tedious process and move forward as quickly as possible.

Obtaining Your Divorce Certificate in Colorado With DoNotPay

Any time you deal with bureaucracy, speed and simplicity are rarely a part of the equation. This is especially true for landing copies of documents like divorce certificates. Because many states have antiquated processing systems, you often have to rely upon sending documents via mail or fax --methods that not only take time but usually require you to follow up on initial requests.

If you want to get a copy of a divorce certificate but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 7 easy steps:

1. Go to the Certificates of Divorce product on DoNotPay.

2. Select whether the certificate belongs to you or a relative/loved one. If it belongs to someone else, enter the details of both people on the certificate, and select/upload evidence that proves your relationship with them. If the certificate is yours, enter the details of your spouse. Please note: some states only allow people named on the certificate to apply.

3. Enter the city, state, and county where the divorce certificate and original divorce certificate were issued as well as the dates they were issued on.

4. Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.

5. Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.

6. Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all of the information is correct.

7. If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail in your request form with a check on your behalf.

There are only a few more things to know that will help get you through the process quickly. First, make sure you know the city/town and county where the divorce certificate was initially issued. There are also times when you might apply for a Colorado divorce certificate that is not from your own marriage dissolution. If this is the case, you will have to provide "proof of your relationship or direct and tangible interest," according to the Colorado Department of Public and Environment.

With this information in hand, DoNotPay will guide you through the steps and let you sign electronically if you choose to do so. You will also need to choose between requesting a certified or authorized copy (see the "Uses for a divorce certificate" subsection below for more about this). And if you need your document notarized, DoNotPay's Notary product will streamline this process as well. Once all your information is verified and submitted, DoNotPay will make sure the request is filed correctly and you should get an update within a few weeks.

Where in Colorado Can I Get My Divorce Certificate Copy?

Marriage and divorce documents can be accessed as long as you know how to get a divorce certificate and where to look. For starters, you need to know whether your documents are being held by the state or by the county of record. The Colorado Department of Public and Environment has all marriage and divorce records from 1975 to the present; the state also holds records before 1939. If your marital records are in between this period, you must contact the appropriate county to begin the process of obtaining a divorce certificate in Colorado.

Once you know where to look for your records, then you're ready to start the process. Here's a basic step-by-step guide:

1. Find the specific court that issued the original certificate
2. Determine your eligibility
3. Fill out the divorce certificate application
4. Mail a request to the court or request one in person
5. Make sure to pay any required handling fees

1. Follow up with the court
2. Provide any additional information that is required

Most public servants trying to assist you mean well, but the brutal reality is that many government services are still delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. As detailed by NBC News, backlogs have caused massive delays at all levels of government and we aren't likely to return completely to normal for some time yet. And if you don't submit the paperwork correctly from the beginning, fixing it will only double down on the headaches.

Although DoNotPay can't push you to the front of the line, the system can also help ensure that you have all the right documentation at the beginning-- potentially saving you weeks or months on obtaining your divorce certificate.

Uses for a Colorado Divorce Certificate

One of the fundamental things to understand is what a divorce certificate does and does not do. Some of the typical functions include:

• Legally changing your name
• Remarrying
• Financing or refinancing a home
• Applying for landed immigration status

Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates

Divorce decrees are essentially more detailed versions of divorce certificates. While a divorce certificate mostly just shows who was divorced, where, and when, divorce decrees also provide information about any stipulations attached to the divorce. Financial obligations, child custody arrangements, or other types of legal agreements might be included in a divorce decree.

What Does a Divorce Certificate Look Like in Colorado?

For most legal purposes after a divorce, however, obtaining a copy of a divorce certificate will suffice because it gives the bullet points of the marriage dissolution; if you're just changing your name, no need to get into child custody. While an authorized copy is just a basic copy, a certified copy will carry the same weight as the original document. With a certified copy, you will have the official court stamp on a document with all the necessary details of the divorce resolution.

Other Things to Remember About Divorce Certificates

Divorce certificates are not available in all states; Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, and Illinois are some of the ones where certificates are not available. If your divorce was not in Colorado, here are some of the other states DoNotPay can help you in:

• Divorce certificate Arkansas
• Divorce certificate California
• Divorce certificate Florida
• Divorce certificate Nevada
• Divorce certificate New York
• Divorce certificate Texas

You should also be prepared to procure a divorce certificate copy in certain financial situations. Creditors might insist on formal proof of divorce and it might also be a requirement for applying for a new mortgage or refinancing a current one. They are also frequently required to apply for new immigration statuses, such as landed immigration status or permanent residency.

Guiding You Through the Process With DoNotPay

When you use your web browser to get started on obtaining a divorce certificate in Colorado, what you're doing is linking up with a guide who navigates you through a sometimes complex process. From chargebacks and refunds to appealing parking tickets in any city, DoNotPay is there to help level the playing field and get results.

To see what a robot lawyer can do for you, download DoNotPay today!