Criteria to End a Civil Union

You can file in Colorado if:

• You or your partner have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before filing; or
• You originally obtained the Civil Union in Colorado.

Please note your children must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 days (or since birth) immediately prior to filing. Otherwise, the court may not be able to enter orders for child support or a parenting plan.

Note: If you are trying to end a common law marriage, do not use these forms. You will need to use the Divorce forms and instructions.

How to Start a Case

File in the district court where you or your partner lives, or in the county that issued your civil union. Use the courts locator to find the correct district court.

Decide if you will file with your partner:

• Jointly: You and your partner file the case together; or
• Separately: You file the case by yourself, then formally notify your partner.

Forms and Paperwork Required

Use the forms link above to download and complete JDF 1000 Case Information Sheet, JDF 1250 Petition, and JDF 1251 Summons (skip JDF 1251 if filing jointly). For detailed instructions on how to complete these forms, review JDF 1267 How-To Guide to Civil Union Divorce.

Paperwork Tips

You will be known as the Petitioner, and your partner will be known as the Respondent.

How to Submit Your Paperwork to the Court

1. File your completed forms. File forms online or with the clerk's office in-person or by mail.
2. Pay the filing fee. If you do not think you can afford the filing fee, fill out form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees to request a waiver of the filing fee, or visit our File Without Payment section for complete information.

Arrange to Serve Your Partner with the Paperwork

Note: Skip this step if you and your partner are filing jointly.

After you file your forms with the court, you must arrange to deliver the Petition, Summons, and any other paperwork issued by the court. The process of having these forms delivered to your partner is known as personal service.

The clerk will provide you with a signed copy of JDF 1251 Summons.

Self-Help Service of Process will help you understand how to arrange to personally serve your partner and how to return proof of service to the court.

Respond to the Case

Note: Skip this step if you and your partner filed jointly.

1. The Respondent files JDF 1252 Response. File forms online or with the clerk's office in-person or by mail.
2. Pay the filing fee. If you do not think you can afford the filing fee, fill out form JDF 205 Motion to File Without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees to request a waiver of the filing fee, or visit our File Without Payment section for complete information.

After Paperwork Is Filed

After you file your case, the clerk will likely give you a Case Management Order. This document contains information about your case, such as the date of your Initial Status Conference and requirements for filling out additional forms. Follow these steps while reviewing your Case Management Order:

1. Mark the Initial Status Conference date on your calendar.
2. Pre-conference forms:
   • JDF 1111 Sworn Financial Statement
   • JDF 1104 Certificate of Compliance with C.R.C.P. 16.2(e)
   • JDF 1115 Property and Financial Agreement (Separation Agreement)
   • JDF 1113 Parenting Plan (skip this form if you don't have children)
   • JDF 1257 Decree
   • JDF 1117 Support Order
   • JDF 1129 Pre-Trial Statement
3. The Case Management Order may give a conference date or instructions on how to schedule that meeting. If the Case Management Order does not give you specific information on how to do this, see JDF 1122 Instructions to Set a Hearing and to Complete a Notice of Hearing or Status Conference Form for instructions.
4. If you need to calculate child support or maintenance, use the child support/maintenance calculator.

Initial Status Conference

Give your partner notice of the Initial Status Conference at least 14 days before the date of the Initial Status Conference.

By law, the Initial Status Conference must happen within 42 days of the filing of your case.

Bring the forms required by your Case Management Order with you to the Initial Status Conference.

You will most likely meet with a Family Court Facilitator at your Initial Status Conference. The Family Court Facilitator will help you understand what you need to do during your case and will answer your questions. He or she will also give you instructions about the next steps in your case but cannot give you legal advice.