How do I get a copy of the adoption order in Colorado?

In Colorado, you get a copy of your adoption order by asking the clerk of the District Court in the county where your adoption was finalized for a certified copy. Colorado has 64 counties, so the right clerk's office is the one in the county that handled your case.

When your case is finishing: Ask the District Court clerk how certified copies are requested, what they cost, and how they are delivered. Fees, turnaround times, and whether copies can be handed to you the same day can differ from one courthouse to another, so the clerk is the best source for those details.

Certified copies: Many agencies want a certified copy, not a photocopy. A certified copy carries the court's stamp or seal. Since you may need to hand the order to several offices, ask the clerk whether it is easier to request extra certified copies now than to come back later. The clerk can confirm any limit on how many you can get at once.

If you need a copy later: Contact the clerk of the District Court where the adoption was finalized. Have this ready:

• The child's full name (and the name used in the case)
• The names of the adoptive parent and the biological parent
• The case number, if you have it
• The approximate date the adoption was finalized

The clerk can tell you whether they need a written request, an ID, or payment of a copying and certification fee, and how long it will take. If you don't know the case number, the clerk can usually help you find it from the names and dates.

Where you will likely use the order:

• Birth certificate: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Records is the agency that handles Colorado birth records. Ask them what they need from you, including whether they want a certified copy of the order, and what their fee is.
• Health insurance: Your insurer or employer can tell you what paperwork they need to add your child.
• School records: The school office can explain what they need to update the child's name or parent information.
• Passport and other documents: Check each agency's current requirements before you apply.

Name change: If you asked to change the child's last name as part of your stepparent adoption, Colorado allows this at no additional cost, so the order is the document you will use to show the new name.

Keep it safe: Store your certified copies with other important papers such as birth certificates and Social Security cards. If anything about your order looks wrong, such as a misspelled name, contact the clerk promptly. If your situation is unusual, such as a sealed file or a question about who can request records, the clerk or an attorney can advise you on your specific case.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. Our price is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child, and your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We come with a 100% court acceptance guarantee and have helped 526 Colorado families, and more than 34,000 families nationally since 2001.