Mesa County Records Lookup

Mesa County maintains public records at offices in Grand Junction, the county seat and largest city on Colorado's Western Slope. The clerk and recorder's office handles property deeds, marriage licenses, and recorded documents. District and county courts maintain case files for criminal and civil proceedings. Law enforcement agencies keep criminal justice records. Most government documents are accessible under Colorado's Open Records Act. Anyone can request copies by contacting the appropriate office. Many records are searchable through online databases. Others require visiting county offices or submitting written requests. Processing times vary based on record type, volume, and complexity. Fees apply for research, copying, and certification services provided by Mesa County offices.

Clerk and Recorder Office

The Mesa County Clerk and Recorder maintains many official county records. This office records property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. They issue marriage licenses and maintain marriage records. The clerk also handles elections, motor vehicle registrations, and other services.

The clerk's office operates from Grand Junction. Office hours are Monday through Friday. Staff can help you search for documents and request copies. Have details ready about what you need. Names, dates, addresses, and document types help locate records faster.

Visit in person or make requests by phone, mail, or online. Be specific about the records you're looking for. Include all identifying information you have. The clerk will check availability and provide fee estimates. Payment is required before copies are released to you.

Recording fees vary based on document type and page count. Copy fees for existing records are twenty-five cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional dollar per document. Oversize documents like plats cost more. Ask about current fee schedules.

Court Records in Mesa County

Mesa County is part of the 21st Judicial District Court. This district serves only Mesa County due to its population size. District court handles felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, family law matters, and probate. County court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims.

Court records can be searched through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The judicial branch provides public access guides and contact information. Third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts offer online searches for some case types.

Not all court files are public. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Adoption records are confidential. Mental health proceedings have restricted access. Some domestic violence cases may have protective orders limiting access. Check with court staff about sealed or restricted records.

To obtain copies of court documents, contact the clerk of court for the 21st Judicial District. Include case numbers if you have them. Staff will determine if records can be released and provide fee information. Some requests must be submitted in writing on official forms.

Property and Land Records

Property ownership records are maintained by the clerk and recorder. Real estate transactions must be recorded to be legally effective. Deeds show ownership transfers. Mortgages and liens show debts secured by property. These documents create a chain of title for each property in the county.

Search property records by owner name, legal description, or reception number. Each recorded document receives a unique reception number. This makes it easy to locate specific documents in the county filing system. The clerk's office indexes all recorded documents.

The county assessor maintains separate property records for taxation purposes. Assessor records show property values, improvements, and tax assessments. Both the clerk and assessor maintain property information but for different purposes in county government.

Colorado Open Records Act

CORA governs access to public records throughout Colorado. The law is codified at C.R.S. § 24-72-201 through 24-72-206. CORA states that public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. Mesa County must comply with CORA like all Colorado government agencies.

Submit CORA requests in writing to the custodian of the records you want. Each office or department controls its own files. There is no central records office in Mesa County. Contact the specific agency that created or maintains the documents you're requesting.

Mesa County has three working days to respond to requests. They can extend this by seven days under certain circumstances. Response time begins when the proper custodian receives your request. A response means they'll tell you if records exist and provide cost estimates. Actual production may take additional time.

CORA allows agencies to charge fees for research and copying. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, counties can charge up to forty-one dollars per hour. Copy fees are twenty-five cents per page. Electronic records emailed to you are usually free. Some agencies require payment in advance before producing records.

Certain records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel files are exempt. Medical and mental health records are confidential. Attorney-client communications are protected. Work product of attorneys is exempt. Security information may be withheld. If a request is denied, the custodian must cite the specific legal exemption.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates are not issued by county offices in Colorado. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for vital records. The state health department maintains centralized birth and death records since 1910.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Mesa County Clerk and Recorder. Couples apply at the clerk's office in Grand Junction. The license is valid for use anywhere in Colorado. The county keeps copies of marriage certificates. Certified copies are available for a fee.

Divorce records are court records maintained by the district court clerk. If a divorce was granted in Mesa County, contact the 21st Judicial District Court. For divorces granted in other counties, contact that county's court. The state vital records office only provides index verification services, not certified copies.

Criminal Justice Records

Statewide criminal records are maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. CBI maintains computerized criminal history records based on fingerprints. The database includes only Colorado arrests and convictions. Out-of-state records are not included in CBI files.

Run a background check through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check System. Online searches cost five dollars per name. Mail-in requests cost thirteen dollars. Results show Colorado arrest records, charges filed, and case dispositions.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office maintains local law enforcement records. This includes incident reports, arrest records, and investigation files. These records are subject to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. Some records may be restricted if release could jeopardize ongoing investigations or endanger persons.

Court records contain criminal case information separate from CBI records. District court handles felony cases. County court handles misdemeanor and traffic cases. Search court files for detailed case information, proceedings, and sentencing outcomes.

Historical Documents

The Colorado State Archives holds historical documents from counties throughout the state. The archives have death records, probate files, marriage records, and other historical materials. Not all Mesa County records are held by the state archives.

Archives visits require appointments. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule a visit. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from ten a.m. to four p.m. Many records can be searched online through the archives website before you visit in person.

Some older records remain with Mesa County offices. Check with the county clerk about historical documents. Very old records may be stored differently than current files and may have different procedures for access.

Cities in Mesa County

Grand Junction is the largest city in Mesa County and on Colorado's Western Slope. With a population over 25,000, Grand Junction has its own city offices and resources. For city-specific records, see the Grand Junction public records page.

State Resources

The Colorado Secretary of State provides CORA information and guidance. Their website explains how to make effective records requests. The Secretary of State also maintains business entity records, UCC filings, and other statewide databases.

Business records can be searched online for free. This includes corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities registered in Colorado. UCC filings show security interests in personal property. Both databases are accessible through the Secretary of State website.