Lakewood Court Records Search

Lakewood civil court records are handled by the Jefferson County court system in the 1st Judicial District. Lakewood is the largest city in Jefferson County, but the courthouse sits in nearby Golden rather than in Lakewood itself. All civil lawsuits, small claims, contract disputes, and judgments for Lakewood residents are filed at the Jefferson County Courthouse. You can search for these records online or drive to Golden to look through case files in person. This page covers how to find and get copies of civil court records connected to Lakewood cases.

Lakewood Civil Court Location

Civil cases for Lakewood go through the Jefferson County Courthouse at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Golden is about a 15-minute drive west of Lakewood. The courthouse phone number is 303-271-6145. The 1st Judicial District operates from this location and covers all of Jefferson County, including Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and the mountain communities west of Denver. District court hears civil cases with no dollar limit. County court handles claims up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500.

Lakewood Municipal Court at 445 S. Allison Parkway deals with city ordinances, parking, and traffic. It does not handle civil lawsuits at all. Any civil court matter for a Lakewood resident goes through the Jefferson County courts in Golden. The clerk of court at the Golden courthouse maintains all civil records for the 1st Judicial District.

The 1st Judicial District is one of the busiest in Colorado. Jefferson County has over 580,000 residents, so the courthouse processes a large number of civil filings. In-person visits can involve some wait time, especially on Mondays and the first business day after holidays.

Note: Plan extra time for the drive from Lakewood to Golden if you are visiting the Jefferson County Courthouse in person.

How to Search Lakewood Civil Records

Online searches for Lakewood civil court records go through CoCourts. This is the state-authorized vendor for online court data. A search without Denver costs $5 and covers Jefferson County. The statewide option is $10. You search by party name or case number and get the Register of Actions for matching cases. CoCourts shows the timeline of events in a case but not the actual documents. For copies of pleadings, motions, or judgments from Lakewood civil cases, contact the Jefferson County clerk directly.

The Jefferson County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch site has clerk contact information, courthouse hours, and links to court forms. You can check the Jefferson County docket search for upcoming hearings in Lakewood civil cases. The docket search is free and shows what is on the court calendar. It does not display the full case history, but it is a quick way to see if a hearing is coming up or if new motions have been scheduled.

Walking into the courthouse for an in-person search is always an option. The clerk can pull a case file by case number right away. Without a number, a name search costs $5. Reviewing the file at the clerk's counter is free of charge.

Requesting Lakewood Court Documents

The Colorado Judicial Branch offers an online form for requesting court records from any county, including Jefferson County where Lakewood cases are filed. The records request form lets you submit your request electronically without visiting the courthouse.

Fill out the form with the case number, your contact information, and which documents you need. The Jefferson County clerk will respond within three business days with cost information and instructions for payment. This is often the fastest way to get copies of Lakewood civil court records if you do not want to drive to the Golden courthouse. You can also email or call the clerk for questions about the process before submitting your request.

Civil Filing Fees for Lakewood Cases

Filing fees for Lakewood civil cases at the Jefferson County Courthouse are set by the state. District court costs $235 to file as a plaintiff and $192 as a defendant. County court fees are $85 for claims under $1,000, $105 for claims from $1,000 to $14,999, and $135 for claims from $15,000 to $25,000. Small claims range from $31 to $55 depending on the amount. The complete list is in the JDF 1 fee schedule.

Copy fees are standard. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document. A name search by the clerk is $5. Transcripts of judgment cost $25. The Colorado Judicial Online Payment portal handles electronic payments for existing cases. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the Jefferson County clerk about the fee waiver process. You will need to show proof of income or public assistance to qualify for a waiver on your Lakewood civil case.

Public Records Access in Lakewood

Lakewood civil court records are open to the public. The Colorado Open Records Act gives every person the right to inspect and copy court records. You do not need to be involved in the case. The Jefferson County clerk must respond to your request within three business days. Sealed records need a court order to view, but the standard civil case file is available to anyone who asks. Protected details like Social Security numbers are blacked out on public copies.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 lays out which records are open, restricted, or sealed in Colorado courts. Jefferson County follows this directive for all Lakewood civil case files. You can review a case at the courthouse for free. Copies are available for the standard fees. The access guide to public records on the state judicial website explains the full process in plain language.

Note: Parties to a case have their total copy cost capped at $15 under state rules for Lakewood civil court records.

Cities Near Lakewood

Lakewood sits between Denver and the foothills west of the metro area. Several nearby cities share the same Jefferson County court system or file through neighboring counties. Each city below has its own civil court records page.