Yuma County Records Portal

Yuma County public records include court documents, property deeds, vital records, and government files held by county offices in Wray. The Colorado Open Records Act allows you to access most of these files. You can visit offices in person, send written requests by mail, or use online portals when available. Each office in Yuma County has a custodian who handles records requests. CORA ensures most government records remain open to the public. Response times are usually three working days, though complex requests may take longer. Be specific in your request so staff can find what you need quickly across Colorado.

How to Request Records

Yuma County follows CORA rules under C.R.S. § 24-72-201. This law says all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. You must ask the custodian of the record you want. Different offices keep different types of records. The Clerk and Recorder has property deeds and marriage licenses. The Sheriff keeps arrest records. Courts maintain case files and dockets in Colorado.

To make a request, write down what records you need. Be specific. Include names, dates, case numbers, or any other details that help identify the documents. Send your request to the correct office. You can email, mail, or visit in person. The county will respond within three working days under C.R.S. § 24-72-203. If they need more time, they can take up to seven extra days. They must tell you if they extend the deadline.

The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are often free. Payment is required before you get the records. Some offices ask for a deposit if the cost is high in Colorado.

Not all records are public. C.R.S. § 24-72-204 lists exemptions. This includes personnel files, medical data, attorney work product, and trade secrets. If the county denies your request, they must explain why and cite the law that allows them to withhold the records.

Property and Land Records

The Yuma County Clerk and Recorder maintains property records, deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. The office is in the courthouse in Wray. You can visit during business hours to view records or request copies. Property records are public and can be inspected on site. Staff can help you search for documents if you are not sure where to look in Colorado.

Property documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These show who owns land, how much they paid, and if there are any claims on the property. You can search by owner name, property address, or document number. Viewing the index is free. If you want copies, the fee is $0.25 per page for standard documents. Oversize plats cost $1 for the first page and $0.75 for each additional page. Certification adds $1 per document.

Marriage licenses are also held by the Clerk and Recorder. These are public records. You can get a copy by visiting the office or mailing a written request. Include the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Voter registration files have privacy protections. Some voter data is available, but personal details are restricted under state law in Colorado.

For questions about property or marriage records, call the Clerk and Recorder office during regular hours. If you need many documents or have a complex request, the office may need extra time. Follow up if you do not hear back within three working days.

Court Files and Dockets

Yuma County is part of the 13th Judicial District in Colorado. The County Court and District Court both operate in Wray. Court records include case files, dockets, orders, and judgments. Most are public unless sealed by a judge or restricted by law. You can view these records in person at the courthouse or request copies from the Clerk of Court in Colorado.

Third-party vendors like LexisNexis Colorado Courts let you search court records online for a fee. The Colorado Judicial Branch does not provide free online access to full case files. If you want to avoid fees, visit the courthouse in person. The clerk can locate a case by name, case number, or filing date.

Court document 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 hourly. Certified copies are $20 per document. You can request records in person, by mail, or through the Colorado Judicial Branch records request form. Processing time depends on the size of your request in Colorado.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 governs public access to court records statewide. This rule lists which records are public and which are restricted. Juvenile records are generally not public. Some domestic cases have sealed files. If a record is unavailable, the court will explain why and cite the law or order that limits access.

For questions about court records, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or email public.access@judicial.state.co.us. If your request is large or complex, the court may ask for a deposit before starting work in Colorado.

Law Enforcement Records

The Yuma County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports. These records fall under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, found in C.R.S. §§ 24-72-301 to 24-72-309. Some law enforcement records are public, while others may be withheld during active investigations or to protect victims and witnesses in Colorado.

To request records from the Sheriff's Office, submit a written request. Include as much detail as possible, such as dates, names, case numbers, and locations. The office will respond within three working days. If they need more time, they can extend the deadline by up to seven days. They must notify you of any extension.

Booking information may be available on the Sheriff's Office website. This includes names, photos, charges, and booking dates for people in custody or recently released. For older arrest records, you need a formal request. The office charges fees for research and copies based on CORA guidelines. Response times are the same as other county offices in Colorado.

Some law enforcement records are not public. These include ongoing investigation files, informant identities, surveillance methods, and certain victim information. If the Sheriff's Office denies your request, they will tell you which exemption applies under state law.

Birth and Death Certificates

Vital records like birth and death certificates are not held by Yuma County. These are maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver. Birth records are available for births since 1910. Death records are available since 1900. The state charges $20 for the first certified copy and $13 for additional copies in Colorado.

To order a vital record, you must provide photo identification and proof of eligibility. Immediate family members, legal representatives, and people with a direct interest can get certified copies. The state processes most requests within a few weeks. Expedited service is available for an extra fee.

Marriage records are split between the county and state. The Clerk and Recorder has marriage licenses. For a certified copy, contact the clerk in the county where the license was issued. The state health department can verify if a marriage occurred, but they charge $17 for this service. They do not provide certified copies of marriage licenses in Colorado.

Divorce records are held by the Clerk of District Court where the divorce was granted. The state health department can verify if a divorce occurred for $17, but they do not provide certified copies. For the actual divorce decree, you must contact the court in the county where the case was filed.

Additional Resources

The Colorado Judicial Branch provides guidance on accessing court records across the state. Their website includes contact information for each judicial district, fee schedules, and request forms. If you have questions about court records in Yuma County, call the State Court Administrator's Office at 720-625-5000 or email public.access@judicial.state.co.us in Colorado.

For criminal background checks, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation operates an online system at www.cbirecordscheck.com. The cost is $5.00 per search online or $13.00 by mail. CBI records only include Colorado arrests with fingerprints. They do not include out-of-state arrests, warrants, or sealed records.

The Colorado State Archives holds historical records for many counties, including old death records, probate files, and naturalization documents. Archives are located in Denver and open by appointment Tuesday through Friday. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule a visit. Note that death certificates issued after 1908 are held by the state health department, not the archives in Colorado.

The Colorado Secretary of State maintains business entity records, UCC filings, and notary information. You can search these records online for free. If you need certified copies, the Secretary of State charges fees based on the type of document.

Costs and Processing

Yuma County charges fees under state CORA guidelines found in C.R.S. § 24-72-205. The first hour of research and retrieval is free. After that, the county can charge up to $41 per hour. This rate is adjusted for inflation every five years. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are usually provided at no charge in Colorado.

Some documents have set fees. Certified copies cost $20 each. Name searches are $5.00. Oversize documents like plats are $1 for the first page and $0.75 for each additional page. Shipping fees vary based on the method you choose. Standard mail may cost $1, while expedited options cost more.

Payment is required before records are released. Most county offices accept checks or money orders. Some may accept cash or credit cards. Ask the custodian about payment methods when you submit your request. If the estimated cost is high, the office may ask for a deposit before they start work. You will get a refund if the final cost is less than the deposit in Colorado.

Nearby Counties

If you need records from other areas, these nearby counties also provide public records access:

• Kit Carson County
• Lincoln County
• Phillips County
• Sedgwick County
• Washington County