Kiowa County Records and Documents

Kiowa County public records are managed by various offices in Eads, the county seat. Most government documents are open to the public under state law. The clerk and recorder handles property records, marriage licenses, and recorded documents. Court records are maintained by district court staff. Law enforcement agencies keep criminal justice records. Residents and researchers can request copies of most records by contacting the appropriate office. Some records may be viewed online through state portals. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of record and how it's requested.

County Clerk and Recorder Services

The Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder maintains many official records. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. The office also issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. Staff can help you search for documents and request copies.

Visiting the clerk's office in person is often the fastest way to get records. Bring identification and details about what you need. Staff can check availability and provide fee estimates. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit.

You can also request records by mail or phone. Be clear about what you're looking for. Include names, dates, and any other identifying information. Payment is usually required before copies are sent. Check with the office about accepted payment methods.

Recording fees apply when filing new documents. Existing records cost twenty-five cents per page for standard copies. Certified copies have an additional fee. Oversize documents like plats cost more to copy.

Court Records in Kiowa County

The 15th Judicial District Court serves Kiowa County. This court handles criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and probate. The combined court facility in Eads houses district and county court operations.

Court files can be searched through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The state provides guidance on accessing court records. Third-party vendors like LexisNexis offer online searches for some case types. Not all documents are available electronically.

Some court records are confidential. Juvenile cases are sealed. Mental health records have restricted access. Cases involving minors in dependency or neglect proceedings are not public. Ask court staff about sealed or restricted records.

To request court records, contact the clerk of court directly. You may need to submit a written request. Include case numbers if you have them. Staff will check whether records can be released. Fees apply for copying court documents.

Land and Property Records

Property ownership records are kept by the clerk and recorder. Every deed, mortgage, and lien must be recorded to be legally effective. These documents create a chain of title for each property in the county.

You can search property records by owner name, legal description, or reception number. The reception number is assigned when a document is recorded. This unique number makes it easy to find specific documents later.

The county assessor also maintains property information. Assessor records show property values and tax assessments. These records help determine property taxes. Both the clerk and assessor offices provide different types of property information.

Making CORA Requests

Colorado's Open Records Act requires most government records to be available for inspection. The law is found in C.R.S. § 24-72-201 through 24-72-206. Kiowa County must comply with CORA just like other Colorado counties.

Submit requests in writing to the office that has the records. There is no central request system. Each department is the custodian of its own files. County offices must respond within three business days. They can extend this by seven days in certain situations.

CORA allows fees for research and copying. The first hour of work is free. Additional time can be charged at up to forty-one dollars per hour. Copies cost twenty-five cents per page. Electronic records sent by email are usually free.

Some records cannot be released. Exemptions include personnel files, medical records, and certain security information. Work product of attorneys is also exempt. If a request is denied, the custodian must explain why.

Vital Records Access

Birth certificates and death certificates are not available from county offices. The state handles vital records. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to order birth and death certificates.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder. Couples apply at the clerk's office. The county keeps copies of marriage certificates. You can get certified copies from the clerk for a fee.

Divorce decrees are court records. They're kept by the district court clerk. To get a copy of a divorce record, contact the court where the divorce was granted. If it was in Kiowa County, the local court has it. For other counties, contact that county's court.

Criminal Records and Background Checks

Statewide criminal records are maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. CBI keeps computerized criminal history records based on fingerprints. These records only include Colorado arrests and convictions.

Run a background check online through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check System. The cost is five dollars per search. Mail-in requests are available for thirteen dollars. CBI records do not include out-of-state information or arrests without fingerprints.

The Kiowa County Sheriff's Office keeps local law enforcement records. This includes incident reports and arrest records. These are subject to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Some records may be restricted if release could harm investigations.

Court records also contain criminal case information. Felony and misdemeanor cases are public unless sealed by court order. Search court records to find case outcomes and sentencing information. The district court handles felonies while county court handles misdemeanors.

Historical Documents

Old records may be stored at the Colorado State Archives in Denver. The archives hold historical documents from many counties. This includes old death records, probate files, and other historical materials.

You must schedule an appointment to visit the archives. Call 303-866-2358 to make arrangements. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from ten a.m. to four p.m. Some records can be searched online before you visit.

Not all historical records have been transferred to the state archives. Some remain with the county. Check with the county clerk about older records. Very old records may be stored differently than current files.

State Resources

The Colorado Secretary of State provides information about CORA. Their website has tips for making records requests. They also maintain business entity records and other statewide files.

Business records can be searched online through the Secretary of State website. This includes corporations, LLCs, and other business entities registered in Colorado. UCC filings are also searchable. These records are free to search online.