Search Moffat County Records

Moffat County maintains public records that anyone can access under the Colorado Open Records Act. These files include court documents, property records, vital records, and government files held by county offices in Craig. You can search for records by visiting county offices in person, submitting written requests by mail, or using online resources where available. Each type of record is kept by a different office. Some records are available right away. Others take a few days to process. Most Moffat County records are public unless a law says they should be kept private.

Public Records Requests

The Colorado Open Records Act governs access to public records in Moffat County. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-201, all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. You do not need to be a county resident. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Most county documents are public unless they fall under a specific exemption listed in state law.

To request records, contact the custodian who holds the files you need. Different offices in Moffat County keep different types of records. The Clerk and Recorder maintains property documents and recorded deeds. The court system keeps case files and dockets. The Sheriff's Office holds arrest records and incident reports. There is no central place where all county records are stored.

Moffat County must respond to your request within three working days. If they need more time to find the records, they can extend this by seven additional days. The first hour of staff time to search for and gather records is free. After that, the county may charge up to $41 per hour for research and retrieval. Copies cost $0.25 per page for standard documents. Electronic records sent by email are usually free.

If a record is denied, the county must tell you why. They must cite the specific law that allows them to withhold the document. Some files are exempt, such as personnel records, medical files, ongoing investigations, and certain attorney work product. If you think a denial is wrong, you can challenge it in court under C.R.S. § 24-72-203.

The Colorado Secretary of State provides guidance on how CORA works statewide. Their website includes tips for making effective records requests and information about fees and timelines. While each county runs its own process, state law sets the rules they must follow.

Clerk and Recorder Services

The Moffat County Clerk and Recorder keeps property records, deeds, liens, mortgages, and other recorded documents. This office also issues marriage licenses and maintains voter registration files. The Clerk and Recorder is located in the Moffat County Courthouse in Craig. You can visit during regular business hours to search records in person. Staff can help you locate documents if you are not sure where to start.

Many property records can be searched online through the county website. This database includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents recorded with the county. You can search by name, document type, or property address. Viewing the index is free. If you need certified copies, you must request them from the office. The county charges $0.25 per page for copies of recorded documents. Certification adds $1 per document.

Marriage licenses are public records in Colorado. You can view the marriage index and get copies by visiting the Clerk and Recorder or submitting a written request. Voter registration data has some privacy protections, so not all voter information is available to the public. The office can explain what is public and what is restricted.

To request records by mail, send your request to the Moffat County Clerk and Recorder at the courthouse address in Craig. Include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you need. Payment is required before the office will release copies. Check with the office about accepted payment methods.

Accessing Court Files

Moffat County court records are part of the 14th Judicial District. The County Court and District Court handle cases in the county. Court records include civil filings, criminal cases, family law matters, probate files, and small claims. Most court records are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law.

Some court records can be searched online through third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts. This service charges fees for searches and access to documents. The Colorado Judicial Branch does not offer free online access to full case files. You can also visit the courthouse in Craig to view records at no cost. The clerk can help you find a case by name or case number.

To get copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Court at the Moffat County Courthouse. Fees include $0.75 per page for paper copies and $0.25 per page for electronically filed documents. A name search costs $5.00. Research time is billed after the first free hour. Certified copies are $20 per document. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 sets the rules for public access to court records in Colorado. This rule lists which files are public and which are restricted. Juvenile records are generally not public. Some domestic cases have sealed files. Mental health records and adoption files are also restricted. If a record is not available, the court will tell you why and cite the law or court order that limits access.

For questions about court records, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000. You can also email public.access@judicial.state.co.us. If your request involves many cases or complex research, the court may require a deposit before starting work.

Law Enforcement Records

The Moffat County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking information, and other law enforcement files. These records are governed by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, found in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 to 24-72-309. Some are public. Others may be withheld during active investigations or to protect victims and witnesses.

Booking information is often available through the Sheriff's Office. This includes names, charges, and booking dates for people in custody or recently released. Historical arrest records require a formal CORA request. 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.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide criminal history database. You can search this database online through the Internet Criminal History Check System for $5.00 per search. This system only includes Colorado arrests that involved fingerprints. It does not include out-of-state records, warrants, sealed records, or juvenile records.

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 tell you which exemption applies under state law.

For crime reports filed with the Craig Police Department, contact that agency directly. The Sheriff's Office only has records for incidents in unincorporated areas or cases where deputies responded.

Vital Records Access

Birth and death certificates are kept by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state Vital Records office holds birth records from 1910 forward and death records from 1900 forward. Some counties have earlier records. The cost is $20 for the first copy and $13 for additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time.

Marriage and divorce records are handled differently. The state does not keep certified copies of these records. For marriage records, contact the Clerk and Recorder in the county where the license was issued. For divorce records, contact the Clerk of District Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The state can do an index verification for $17, but you must get the actual certified copy from the county.

You must provide a photo ID with your request for vital records. Only certain people can request certified copies of birth and death certificates. This includes the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct interest. The state website explains who can request records and what documents you need to prove your eligibility.

Additional County Resources

The Moffat County Assessor maintains property tax records and assessments. You can search property data online for free through the Assessor's website. This information includes ownership, assessed values, tax history, and property characteristics. Most property tax data is public. For formal requests or certified records, contact the Assessor's office in Craig.

The Moffat County Treasurer collects property taxes and maintains tax payment records. You can check the status of property taxes online or by visiting the Treasurer's office. Tax records are public and can be requested under CORA.

If you need help understanding CORA or if your request is denied, legal aid organizations may be able to assist. Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents across the state. They can advise you on your rights and may be able to help you challenge a wrongful denial. Consult with an attorney if you plan to file a lawsuit over a denied records request.

The Colorado State Archives holds historical public records from many counties. This includes old death records, probate files, naturalization records, and other documents. You can search some records online through the Archives website. For others, you need to visit the Archives in Denver or request copies by mail.

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.