Mineral County Document Access

Mineral County public records are maintained at the courthouse in Creede, one of Colorado's smallest county seats. The clerk and recorder's office handles property deeds, marriage licenses, and recorded documents. Court staff maintain case files for legal proceedings. The sheriff's office keeps law enforcement records. Most government documents are accessible under state law. Anyone can request copies by contacting the appropriate county office. Some records may be searched through online state databases. Others require in-person visits or written requests to the small county staff. Processing time varies based on record availability and office workload. Fees apply for research, copying, and certification services.

County Clerk and Recorder

The Mineral County Clerk and Recorder maintains official county records. This includes property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. The office issues marriage licenses and keeps marriage records. As a small county, the clerk's office handles multiple functions for county government.

The clerk's office is located at the courthouse in Creede. Office hours are limited compared to larger counties. It's important to call ahead before visiting. Staff can tell you if they have the records you need and when you can access them.

You can visit in person or make requests by phone or mail. Be specific about what you're looking for. Include names, dates, and any other details you have. The clerk will check if records are available. Payment is required before copies are provided.

Recording fees vary by 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 cost more to copy. Ask about current fees.

Court Records

Mineral County is part of the 12th Judicial District Court. This district serves several counties in southern Colorado. District court handles felonies, major civil cases, domestic relations, and probate. County court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims.

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

Some court records are confidential. Juvenile cases are sealed. Adoption records are not public. Mental health cases have restricted access. Ask court staff about record availability before making formal requests.

To request court document copies, contact the clerk of court for the 12th Judicial District. Include case numbers if you have them. Staff will verify if records can be released. Fees apply for copies and research time.

Property Records

Property ownership records are maintained by the clerk and recorder. Real estate transactions must be recorded to be legally effective. Deeds transfer ownership. Mortgages and liens secure debts against property. These documents create a public record of property history.

Search property records by owner name or legal description. Each recorded document gets a reception number. This unique number helps locate specific documents in the county files. Given Mineral County's small size, the clerk can often help locate records quickly.

The county assessor maintains separate property records for tax purposes. Assessor records show property values and tax assessments. Both offices maintain property information but for different purposes.

CORA Requests

The Colorado Open Records Act is found at C.R.S. § 24-72-201 through 24-72-206. CORA requires most public records to be open for inspection. Mineral County must follow CORA like all Colorado government agencies.

Submit CORA requests in writing to the custodian of the records. Each office controls its own files. Contact the specific department that created or maintains the documents you want. In a small county, this is often easier than in large urban counties.

Mineral County has three working days to respond. They can extend this by seven days if needed. A response means they'll tell you if records exist and provide cost estimates. Given limited staff, patience may be needed.

CORA allows fees for research and copying. The first hour is free. Additional time costs up to forty-one dollars per hour. Copies are twenty-five cents per page. Electronic records emailed to you are usually free. Payment may be required in advance.

Some records are exempt. Personnel files are exempt. Medical records are confidential. Attorney-client communications are protected. Work product is exempt. If denied, the custodian must cite the legal exemption.

Vital Records

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

Marriage licenses are issued by the Mineral County Clerk and Recorder. Couples apply at the clerk's office in Creede. 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 maintained by the district court where the divorce was granted. For Mineral County divorces, contact the 12th Judicial District Court. The state only provides index verification, not copies.

Criminal Records

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

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

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office maintains 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 to protect investigations.

Court records contain criminal case information. District court handles felonies. County court handles misdemeanors. Search court files for case details and outcomes.

Historical Documents

The Colorado State Archives holds historical documents from counties across Colorado. The archives have death records, probate files, and other historical materials. Not all Mineral County records are at the state archives.

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

Some older records remain with Mineral County. Check with the county clerk about historical documents. Very old records may have different storage and access procedures.

Additional Resources

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

Business records are searchable online for free. This includes corporations, LLCs, and other entities registered in Colorado. UCC filings show security interests in personal property. Both databases are available on the Secretary of State website.