Arvada Civil Court Records

Arvada civil court records are held at two county courthouses because the city spans both Jefferson County and Adams County. Where you search or file depends on which side of the county line your address falls on. Most of Arvada sits in Jefferson County, so the bulk of civil court filings go through the 1st Judicial District courthouse in Golden. Residents on the east side of Arvada file through the 17th Judicial District courthouse in Brighton. This page covers how to look up civil case records, get copies of court documents, and file new civil matters in Arvada.

Which Court Handles Arvada Civil Cases

Arvada is one of the larger cities in Colorado that crosses a county line. The western and central parts of Arvada fall in Jefferson County. The eastern portion sits in Adams County. This split means civil court records for Arvada residents are kept at two different courthouses. You need to know which county your address is in before you file a civil case or search for records. Your property tax bill or voter registration will show your county. If you are still not sure, call the Arvada city clerk and they can confirm it for you.

For the Jefferson County side of Arvada, civil cases go to the Jefferson County Courthouse at 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. The phone number is 303-271-6145. This court is part of the 1st Judicial District and handles all civil lawsuits filed by Arvada residents who live in Jefferson County. District court takes cases with no cap on the claim amount. County court hears disputes up to $25,000. Small claims covers amounts up to $7,500. The clerk of court at the Jefferson County courthouse keeps all civil case records and can help you find what you need.

Arvada residents on the Adams County side file at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton. The phone number is 303-659-1161. This courthouse is in the 17th Judicial District. The same court levels apply. The Adams County clerk handles record requests for cases filed on that side of Arvada. Both courthouses have the same fee structure since fees are set by state law, not by the county.

Note: The Arvada Municipal Court at 8101 Ralston Rd (720-898-7150) does not handle civil lawsuits or civil records.

Search Arvada Civil Court Records Online

You can search for Arvada civil court records through CoCourts, which is the state-approved vendor for online case searches. A statewide search costs $10. A search that excludes Denver County costs $5. You search by party name or case number. The results show the Register of Actions for each case, which lists all filings, hearing dates, and case status. CoCourts does not provide copies of the actual documents. It pulls real-time data from the state court system, so the results cover both Jefferson County and Adams County civil cases linked to Arvada addresses.

The Colorado Judicial Branch website offers a free docket search tool that lets you check hearing schedules for civil cases. You can filter by county to look at either Jefferson or Adams County dockets. This tool shows when a case is set for a hearing and what motions are pending. It does not give you the full case history, but it works for quick checks. If you need to find a specific Arvada civil case, try searching both counties since you may not know which side of the line the case was filed in.

The access guide on the Judicial Branch site explains your rights when it comes to viewing court records. Colorado law makes most civil court records open to the public. You do not need to give a reason to search for records in Arvada or anywhere else in the state.

Arvada Court Records and CoCourts

The CoCourts commercial search portal is one of the main ways people look up civil court records for Arvada cases without going to the courthouse.

The search screen lets you enter a name and pick a county or run a statewide search. For Arvada, it helps to run a statewide search so you catch cases filed in both Jefferson and Adams counties. Results come back quickly and include the case number, case type, filing date, and a list of all actions taken. You can view the Register of Actions but cannot download filed documents through this tool. For copies, you need to contact the right county clerk.

Civil Filing Fees for Arvada Cases

Filing fees for civil cases in Arvada follow the same state schedule no matter which county courthouse you use. District court costs the most. A plaintiff pays $235 to file a new case. The defendant pays $192 to respond. These fees cover large civil disputes with no dollar limit on the claim amount. Contract cases, personal injury suits, and property disputes all go through district court when the amount exceeds $25,000.

County court fees for Arvada civil cases depend on the claim size:

• Claims under $1,000: $85 filing fee
• Claims $1,000 to $14,999: $105 filing fee
• Claims $15,000 to $25,000: $135 filing fee
• Small claims under $500: $31 filing fee
• Small claims $500 to $7,500: $55 filing fee

The JDF 1 fee schedule has the full list of court costs for all case types. You can pay fees at the courthouse when you file. After a case is open, the Colorado Judicial Online Payment portal lets you pay costs electronically. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies run $20 per document. A name search by the clerk costs $5. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk about fee waivers for Arvada civil cases.

Note: Fee waivers apply only to court fees, not to vendor search costs through CoCourts or other third-party services.

Getting Copies of Arvada Civil Records

There are a few ways to get copies of civil court records from Arvada cases. You can visit the courthouse in person and ask the clerk to pull the file. Bring the case number if you have it. If not, the clerk can run a name search for $5. You review the file for free at the clerk's office. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $20 per document and come with the court seal. You can also submit a written request by mail to either the Jefferson County or Adams County clerk, depending on where the case was filed.

The online records request form on the Colorado Judicial Branch website is another option for getting Arvada civil court records. Fill out the form with your contact details, the case number or party names, and what documents you need. The clerk responds within three business days under the Colorado Open Records Act. They will tell you the cost and how to pick up or receive the copies. Under C.R.S. 24-72-200.1, you have the right to inspect these records. The clerk cannot charge more than the actual cost to produce copies.

Sealed records require a court order to access. Chief Justice Directive 05-01 sets the rules for which civil records are public and which are restricted. Most civil case files in Arvada are fully open to the public.

Nearby Cities for Civil Records

Several cities near Arvada also have civil court records pages. Residents of these cities file through the same Jefferson County or Adams County courthouses that serve parts of Arvada.