Find Divorce Records in Arlington
Arlington divorce records are maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk, since Arlington falls entirely within Tarrant County. If you need to find a case, get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, or verify that a divorce was granted, the Tarrant County District Clerk is where you go. Residents can start by searching online through the Tarrant County case search portal. That tool lets you look up cases by name or cause number and shows party information, filing dates, and case status. For complete files or certified copies, a visit or written request to the clerk's office is required.
Arlington Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Arlington
Arlington residents file for divorce at the Tarrant County District Court in Fort Worth. The District Clerk there manages all family law case files. Because Arlington has no separate divorce filing system, everything runs through the same court that serves Fort Worth and the rest of Tarrant County. The county has 27 district courts, several of which handle family law matters.
The Tarrant County District Clerk office is located at 100 N. Calhoun St. in downtown Fort Worth. That's about 20 minutes west of Arlington's core. If you live in eastern or southern Arlington, you can also check online first before making the drive. The clerk's website has case search tools, e-filing access, and information about requesting copies.
| Office | Tarrant County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Calhoun St. Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1574 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcounty.com/district-clerk |
Arlington itself is one of the largest cities in Texas, with close to 400,000 residents. It sits between Fort Worth to the west and Dallas to the east. Despite its size, it does not maintain its own court system for family law matters. All divorce filings and records go through Tarrant County.
How to Search Arlington Divorce Records
The Tarrant County District Clerk offers both online and in-person ways to search Arlington divorce records. Online search gives you basic case data. In-person visits let you view full files and request certified copies on the same day.
To search online, go to the Tarrant County District Clerk website at tarrantcounty.com. The site has a Court Document Lookup tool that lets you search by party name or cause number. It shows civil, family, and criminal case information. You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to look up Tarrant County divorce filings by name or cause number. That system pulls from multiple counties across Texas, so it's useful if you're not sure where a case was filed.
When searching, you'll need at least one spouse's full legal name and an approximate year. A cause number speeds things up if you have it. Keep in mind that married names and maiden names sometimes differ from what appears on court records, so try both if your first search comes up empty.
Note: Family law records are often restricted in what they show online. You may need to contact the clerk's office directly to get certified documents or view sealed portions of a case file.
Tarrant County District Clerk Services
The official Tarrant County website has case search tools, e-filing options, and information for people who need divorce records in Arlington.
The Tarrant County website at tarrantcounty.com is the starting point for any divorce records search in Arlington. The site provides access to the clerk's court document lookup, family law case information, and contact details for all 27 district courts.
For direct access to the District Clerk and case search tools, the clerk's page at tarrantcounty.com/en/district-clerk.html is where you'll find online case lookup, e-filing, certified copy requests, and information about web access accounts for attorneys and regular users. The clerk's office also handles civil dockets, criminal warrants, judgments, and post-conviction writs in addition to family law records.
The Tarrant County District Clerk page gives you direct access to case document lookup and e-filing for Arlington divorce filings. Certified copies can be requested online or in person at 100 N. Calhoun St. in Fort Worth.
Filing for Divorce in Arlington
Divorce cases in Arlington follow Texas state law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The filing process is the same as elsewhere in Tarrant County. Each step you take creates a record that becomes part of your permanent case file at the District Clerk's office.
Before you file, you need to meet the residency requirement under Texas Family Code § 6.301. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Tarrant County for at least 90 days before the date the petition is filed. If you just moved to Arlington, check the dates before you file.
Texas allows no-fault divorces. The main no-fault ground is insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. That means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no reasonable chance of reconciliation. You don't have to prove anyone did something wrong. Fault-based grounds like cruelty, adultery, and abandonment also exist but are less common in practice.
The first document filed is an Original Petition for Divorce. After that, the other spouse is served with a citation or signs a Waiver of Service. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before the court can sign a Final Decree of Divorce. Agreed divorces where both spouses settle all issues move much faster than contested cases that require hearings or trial.
Divorce Fees for Arlington Residents
Filing fees for an Arlington divorce are set by the Tarrant County District Clerk. They vary depending on whether children are involved and the type of case. Fees change periodically, so call (817) 884-1574 or check the clerk's website to confirm current amounts before you file.
General divorce filing fees in Tarrant County run in the $300 to $380 range depending on the case type. Other costs that can add up include service of process by a constable, certified copies, and parenting class fees if children are part of the case. If you can't afford the filing fee, you can request a waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Court forms for this are available on the Texas Courts website or at the clerk's office in Fort Worth.
Note: A parenting class is required in Tarrant County if children under 18 are involved. The class covers custody, communication, and the impact of divorce on children. You must complete it and file a certificate with the court before the divorce can be finalized.
Legal Help for Arlington Residents
Several legal aid organizations serve Arlington and Tarrant County. If you have a low income, you may qualify for free or reduced-cost legal help with your divorce case. Even basic guidance can make the process much less stressful.
Lone Star Legal Aid covers Tarrant County and offers free civil legal services to income-eligible residents. Their website at lonestarlegal.org has information about eligibility and services. Tarrant County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral program. The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service at (800) 252-9690, and their online directory is at texasbar.com.
For self-help resources and court forms, go to texaslawhelp.org. That site has step-by-step guides for filing without an attorney in Texas, including divorce guides for both no-children and with-children cases. Official court forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are at txcourts.gov. The Tarrant County District Clerk also provides a self-help legal resources section on their website for people who are filing on their own.
Tarrant County Divorce Records
Arlington is in Tarrant County, and all divorce filings go through the Tarrant County District Court in Fort Worth. The county serves Arlington and many other cities including Fort Worth, Mansfield, Euless, Bedford, and Hurst. For complete information on the county court system and additional resources, visit the Tarrant County divorce records page.