Douglas County Public Records Lookup

Douglas County public records consist of court documents, property files, vital records, and government records kept by various county offices. Most of these records can be viewed online or requested through official channels under Colorado's Open Records Act. The county courthouse in Castle Rock houses the Clerk of Court and maintains case files. The Clerk and Recorder office keeps property deeds, liens, and recorded documents. Many records are searchable through the county website at no charge. For records not available online, you can submit formal requests through the JustFOIA portal or visit offices in person. Douglas County serves Castle Rock, Parker, and surrounding communities in Colorado.

Douglas County Court Records

The Douglas County Court public records page explains how to access case files and court documents. Most court records can be viewed online from the District Court's website. An open records request is simply an official request to view particular public government or agency documents. The courthouse is located at 4000 Justice Way in Castle Rock in Colorado.

Andi Truett serves as Clerk of Court. You can reach the office at 720-437-6200. The Clerk maintains all court case files for the 18th Judicial District in Douglas County. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, probate, and small claims. Most records are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law in Colorado.

You can search court records online through the Colorado Judicial Branch website or third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts. These services charge fees for document access. To view records for free, visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office can help you locate a case by name or case number.

Court document fees include $5.00 for a name request, $0.75 per page for paper file copies, and $0.25 per page for e-filed copies. Research time costs $30 per hour after the first free hour. Certified copies are $20 each. Submit requests using the court record request form.

Property and Recorded Documents

The Douglas County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records, deeds, liens, mortgages, and other recorded documents. Sheri Davis serves as Clerk and Recorder. The office is at 301 Wilcox Street in Castle Rock. Call 303-660-7469 for general questions about recording or copies in Colorado.

Many property records can be searched online through the county website. The database includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents filed with the county. You can search by name, address, or document number. Viewing the index is free. If you need certified copies, you must order them from the Clerk's office.

Recording fees include $0.25 per page for recorded documents, $1 for the first page of oversize documents or plats plus $0.75 for each additional page, and $1 per document for certification. Shipping ranges from $1 to $7 depending on the method. Name requests cost $5.00 in Colorado.

The Clerk and Recorder also handles marriage licenses, voter registration, and motor vehicle registrations. Marriage records are public and can be searched at the office. Some voter data has privacy protections under state law. Motor vehicle records are subject to state privacy restrictions.

JustFOIA Records Portal

Douglas County uses the JustFOIA public portal for CORA requests. This online system makes it easy to submit and track public records requests. You'll need to create a free account to use the portal. Once logged in, fill out the request form with your contact information and a clear description of the records you want in Colorado.

The more specific your request, the faster it will be processed. Include dates, names, case numbers, or addresses if you have them. The system routes your request to the correct custodian automatically. You'll receive updates on the status of your request through the portal.

For court records, use the court's own request process. Criminal justice records from the Sheriff's Office have a separate procedure. The JustFOIA portal handles most other county records including building permits, assessor files, and general government documents in Colorado.

Sheriff and Law Enforcement Records

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking photos, and other law enforcement files. The Sheriff's records page explains how to request these documents. Criminal justice records are governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, not just CORA in Colorado.

For criminal justice records, email CJRA@dcsheriff.net. For other Sheriff's Office records, use the online portal. You must submit your request in writing. Include as much detail as possible about the records you want, such as dates, names, case numbers, and locations.

Booking information is often available through the Sheriff's website. This includes names, photos, charges, and booking dates for people currently in custody or recently released. Historical arrest records require a formal request. The office charges fees for research and copies based on state guidelines. Response times are three days with a possible seven-day extension.

Some law enforcement records are not public. These include ongoing investigation files, informant identities, surveillance techniques, and certain victim information. If the Sheriff's Office denies your request, they will cite the specific exemption that applies under state law in Colorado.

Birth and Death Certificates

The Douglas County Vital Records office is located at 410 S. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock. Call 720-643-2480 for questions about birth and death certificates. The office maintains local copies of vital records for events that occurred in Douglas County in Colorado.

You can also order vital records from the state. Visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website to order certificates online. Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies. Death certificates are the same price. Only eligible people can request these records. You must prove your relationship to the person or show legal authority.

Marriage records come from the County Clerk where the license was issued. Divorce decrees are filed with the Clerk of the District Court where the divorce was granted. The state can verify if a marriage or divorce occurred but cannot provide certified copies in Colorado.

Response Times and Costs

Douglas County responds to CORA requests within three working days under state law. This timeline starts when the custodian receives your request. If the records are easy to find, you may get them sooner. If the request is large or complex, the county can extend the deadline by seven more days. You'll be notified in writing if an extension is needed in Colorado.

The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, the county charges $30 per hour. This is lower than the state maximum of $41 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.75 per page. Electronically filed documents cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20 each in Colorado.

If staff determines that your request will take more than an hour, you'll receive a cost estimate before they start work. You can then decide whether to proceed, narrow your request, or withdraw it. Payment is required before records are released. Most offices accept checks, money orders, or credit cards.

Cities in Douglas County

Douglas County includes several cities and towns. Each city has its own municipal government and may maintain separate records. For city-specific records, contact the city clerk or city attorney's office. For county records that cover all areas, use the county offices listed above in Colorado.

Nearby Counties

If you need records from surrounding areas, check the pages for nearby counties. Each has its own offices and procedures for public records requests in Colorado.