Find Public Records in Adams County

Adams County public records are available under the Colorado Open Records Act, which requires most government documents to be accessible to anyone. Records include court files, land deeds, marriage licenses, business permits, and arrest logs. You can request these from county offices in Brighton or through online portals. Some records can be searched for free on the internet, while others need a written request. Each office in Adams County has its own custodian who manages specific types of files. Processing times depend on the complexity of what you ask for and how quickly staff can locate the documents.

Adams County Records Access

The Colorado Open Records Act governs how you get public records in Adams County. State law declares that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. This includes documents made or kept by county offices. You must send requests to the custodian who controls the specific records you want. There is no one place that holds every file in the county.

Adams County offices respond within three working days under state law. If your request is large or hard to process, staff can extend this by seven more days. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are usually free.

The Colorado Secretary of State CORA page offers guidance on how to make requests and what to include. Be specific about the records you need. Include dates, names, document types, and other details. Vague requests take longer to process. You can ask for records by email, mail, or in person at most offices.

Some records are exempt from disclosure. These include personnel files, ongoing criminal investigations, trade secrets, and certain medical information. If an office denies your request, they must cite the law that allows them to withhold records. You have the right to appeal denials or go to court under the statute.

Property and Vital Records

The Adams County Clerk and Recorder keeps land records, deeds, liens, mortgages, and other documents related to real estate. This office also handles marriage licenses and some vital records. The main office is in Brighton. You can search property records online or visit in person to view files.

Many counties in Colorado now use digital databases for recorded documents. You can look up deeds by name, address, or document number. The index is free to browse. If you need certified copies, you must order them from the clerk's office. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certification adds $1 per document. Oversize documents like plats cost more.

Marriage licenses are public records in Adams County. You can get copies by visiting the clerk's office or submitting a written request. Birth and death certificates are handled by the state, not the county. For those, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state charges $20 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies.

Divorce records are not kept by the clerk. Those are court records. You must request them from the District Court where the case was filed. The court clerk can help you locate a case if you know the names of the parties or the case number.

Court Files and Case Information

Adams County is in the 17th Judicial District. Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, probate files, and small claims. Most court records are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law. You can search some records online or visit the courthouse in person.

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides limited online access through third-party vendors. One option is LexisNexis Colorado Courts, which charges fees for searches and document viewing. This service shows case summaries and docket entries. Full documents must be requested from the court clerk.

To get copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Court at the Adams County courthouse. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the state's online form. Fees include $0.75 per page for paper copies and $0.25 per page for electronically filed documents. Research time costs $30 per hour after the first free hour. Certified copies are $20 each.

Some court files are not public. Juvenile cases are usually sealed. Certain domestic violence cases have restricted access. Mental health proceedings are confidential. If you cannot view a record, the clerk will tell you why and cite the law or court order that limits access.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 governs public access to court records in Colorado. This rule explains which files are open and which are closed. For questions, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or email public.access@judicial.state.co.us.

Sheriff and Police Records

The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking information, and jail rosters. These files are governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Some are public, while others can be withheld during active investigations or to protect victims.

You can view current jail bookings online. This usually includes names, photos, charges, and booking dates for people in custody. Historical arrest records require a formal CORA request. Submit your request in writing to the Sheriff's Office. Include as much detail as possible, such as dates, names, and case numbers.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation keeps statewide criminal history records. You can search for a person's arrest and conviction history through the CBI's online system. The search costs $5.00 online or $13 by mail. This database only includes arrests where fingerprints were taken. It does not show out-of-state convictions or sealed records.

For crime reports filed with city police departments, contact the police department directly. Thornton Police, Westminster Police, and Commerce City Police handle their own records. The Sheriff's Office only has files for incidents in unincorporated areas or cases where deputies responded.

Other County Offices

The Adams County Assessor maintains property tax records. You can search ownership, assessed values, and tax history online for free. The Assessor's website shows property details like lot size, year built, and sale history. Most of this data is public. For certified records, contact the Assessor's office directly.

The Treasurer's office handles tax payments and collections. You can look up tax bills and payment history online. For older records or detailed information, submit a CORA request. The Treasurer's office is separate from the Assessor, so make sure you contact the right one.

Public Health records include birth and death certificates, immunization records, and health data. Most health records have privacy protections. You can only get your own records or records for people you have legal authority to represent. Contact Adams County Public Health for information about requesting health files.

Business licenses and permits are usually public records. Contact the county Planning and Development office for building permits, zoning records, and land use files. These records show permit applications, inspections, and approvals. Some are available online, while others require an in-person visit or written request.

Historical Records Access

Older public records may be held by the Colorado State Archives. The Archives keeps historical documents from counties across the state, including death records, divorce files, probate cases, and land records. Some of these go back to the 1800s.

You must make an appointment to visit the Archives in person. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule. The Archives is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff can help you locate records if you are not sure where to start. Some records are searchable online, while others require an in-person visit.

Death certificates issued after 1908 are not held by the Archives. Those are kept by the state Vital Records office. Marriage and divorce records may be at the Archives, depending on the year and county. Check the Archives website for a list of searchable records and holdings.

Cities in Adams County

Adams County includes several cities with their own municipal offices. Some records are held by city governments, while others are maintained by county offices. Contact the city clerk or city attorney for records specific to city operations.

Nearby Counties

For records from surrounding areas, check the pages for nearby counties. Each has its own offices and procedures.