Search Adams County Civil Court Records

Adams County civil court records are public documents you can search online or at the courthouse. These files cover all civil lawsuits, judgments, small claims, and other disputes filed in Adams County courts. District courts handle cases with no dollar limit. County courts take claims up to $25,000. Small claims go up to $7,500. The Adams County Justice Center in Brighton serves as the main courthouse for the 17th Judicial District, which also covers Broomfield County. This page shows you how to find and get copies of civil court records from Adams County, Colorado.

Adams County Courthouse and Clerk

The Adams County Justice Center sits at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton, Colorado. This is where you file civil cases and search records for Adams County. The building houses both district and county courts. The main phone line is 303-659-1161. The Clerk of Court keeps all civil case files and provides access to the public. For record requests, you can call 303-654-3239 or email AdamsRecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us directly. Alana Percy serves as the current Clerk of Court for Adams County. The clerk's office is closed on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 12 to 1 pm for staff training, so plan your visit around that schedule.

The courthouse is part of the 17th Judicial District, which Adams County shares with Broomfield County. District courts hear civil matters with no cap on the claim amount. These cases involve large contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, property matters, and complex business claims. County courts handle smaller civil cases with a limit of $25,000. Small claims court takes disputes up to $7,500 and does not require a lawyer. You file in the court that matches your claim amount. The clerk can help you figure out where your case goes if you are not sure which level to use in Adams County.

Spanish language interpretation is available at the Adams County courthouse. Let the clerk know when you file or when you schedule a hearing if you need a Spanish interpreter for your civil case. Court staff can arrange for translation services in advance.

How to Search Civil Records in Adams County

You can search Adams County civil court records online through third-party vendors. The state does not offer a free public search portal, but it works with CoCourts to provide online access to case data. A statewide search costs $10. A search without Denver costs $5. You can look up civil cases by party name or case number. The system shows the Register of Actions for each case but does not give you copies of the actual filed documents. For document copies, you need to contact the Adams County Clerk directly. CoCourts pulls real-time data from the state court database, so the information is up to date for Adams County civil cases.

The Adams County court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website has contact information and hours for the courthouse. You can also use the docket search portal to find scheduled hearings for Adams County cases. This free tool lets you look up when a case is on the calendar and what motions have been filed. It does not show the full case history, but it works well if you need to check a hearing date or see what filings are pending in an Adams County civil case.

The courthouse also provides in-person access to civil records in Adams County. Walk into the clerk's office during business hours and ask to review a specific case file. Bring the case number if you have it. If you do not, the clerk can do a name search for $5. You may review the file at the courthouse for free. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $20 per document. For larger requests or bulk copies, the clerk may charge $30 per hour after the first hour for research and preparation time.

Adams County Civil Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Adams County are set by state law. District court is the most costly option. A plaintiff pays $235 to file. The defendant pays $192 to respond. County court fees depend on how much money is in dispute. A claim under $1,000 costs $85 to file. Claims from $1,000 to $14,999 cost $105. Claims from $15,000 to $25,000 cost $135. Small claims are the cheapest route. A claim under $500 costs $31. Claims from $500 to $7,500 cost $55. You pay these fees when you file your case at the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton.

Other court costs in Adams County include:

• Plain paper copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $20.00 per document
• Transcript of judgment: $25.00
• Name search by clerk: $5.00
• Certificate of satisfaction: $20.00

The JDF 1 fee schedule lists all current filing fees for Colorado courts. You can also pay court costs online through the Colorado Judicial Online Payment portal after your case has been filed. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver. The court offers waivers for people who can show financial hardship. You must fill out a form and submit proof of income to request a waiver for civil cases in Adams County.

Note: Fee waivers do not cover private vendor search costs like CoCourts, only official court fees charged by Adams County.

Public Access Laws for Court Records

Civil court records in Adams County are open to the public under Colorado law. The Colorado Open Records Act, or CORA, gives any person the right to inspect public records. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to state a reason. Under C.R.S. § 24-72-200.1, the record custodian must respond to your request within three business days. The Adams County Clerk is the custodian for civil court files. CORA caps how much the county can charge for research and retrieval time. Most civil case files are fully open unless a judge has sealed the record or marked it as protected.

Chief Justice Directive 05-01 sets the rules for court records access across Colorado. This directive tells you which records are public, sealed, or restricted. Sealed records require a court order to access. Protected information like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers may be redacted from copies provided to the public. But the rest of the civil case file is open to anyone. Adams County follows these same rules as every other county in Colorado. You can review the case file for free at the courthouse, or you can request copies by mail or email for the standard copy fee.

Getting Copies of Adams County Civil Records

You can get copies of civil court records from Adams County in three ways. First, you can visit the courthouse in Brighton and ask the clerk for copies in person. Bring photo ID and cash or a check to pay the copy fee. Second, you can mail a written request to the Adams County Clerk at 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601. Include your name, contact info, the case number, and which documents you need. Third, you can submit a request through the online records request form on the Colorado Judicial Branch website. The clerk will respond within three business days and let you know the cost and how to pick up or receive your copies.

Copies cost $0.25 per page for plain paper. If you need certified copies, the fee is $20 per document. Certified copies have an official court seal and are used for legal proceedings or official business. If you are a party to the case, the clerk caps your total copy cost at $15 under state rules. For large requests that take more than one hour to prepare, the clerk may charge $30 per hour for research and redaction. These fees are set by state policy and apply in all Colorado courts, including Adams County.

Email your record request to AdamsRecordRequest@judicial.state.co.us or call 303-654-3239 to ask about the process. The Adams County Clerk can tell you what forms or information you need to submit with your request for civil records.

Civil Court Records in Adams County Cities

Adams County includes several cities, and residents of these cities file civil cases at the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton. Below are the major cities located in Adams County.

Parts of Aurora, Westminster, and Arvada also extend into Adams County, though these cities span multiple counties.

Nearby Colorado Counties

Adams County borders several other Colorado counties. Each has its own courthouse and clerk for civil court records.