Wichita Falls Divorce Records
Divorce records for Wichita Falls are kept by the Wichita County District Clerk, located right in the county courthouse at 900 7th Street. Since Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County, the courthouse is in town, which makes it easier to visit in person than in many other Texas cities. You can search for divorce cases, get copies of decrees, or file a new case at this office. All family law cases in the county go through the same court system, and the District Clerk is the official record keeper for all of them.
Wichita Falls Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Wichita Falls
All divorce cases for Wichita Falls residents go to the Wichita County District Clerk. The office is on the third floor of the Wichita County Courthouse, Room 303. This is the only office in the county that handles divorce filings and family court records. The city's municipal court does not handle divorce cases at all. If someone tells you to go to city hall for a divorce filing, that's not correct.
Wichita County has three district courts: the 30th, 78th, and 89th District Courts. Each can hear family law cases, including divorce. Your case will be assigned to one of these courts when you file. The District Clerk's office manages the filing process and keeps all records once a case is active.
| Office | Wichita County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Wichita County Courthouse 900 7th Street, Room 303 Wichita Falls, TX 76301 |
| Phone | (940) 766-8100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Wichita County Courthouse is centrally located in downtown Wichita Falls. Parking is available nearby. You will go through security at the building entrance, so bring a valid photo ID. If you're unsure what documents to bring for your specific request, call ahead at (940) 766-8100 before your visit.
Searching Wichita Falls Divorce Records
You can search Wichita County divorce records in a few different ways. In-person searches at the District Clerk's office let you look through the case index and view files directly. For basic case information, an online search may work just as well and save you a trip to the courthouse.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal covers many Texas district courts and may include Wichita County family law cases. This system lets you search by party name and see docket entries, case type, and filing dates. For the actual documents, you will need to contact the District Clerk.
To search by mail, send a written request that includes the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Mail requests go to the District Clerk at 900 7th Street, Room 303, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Allow extra time for mail processing.
Fees for records requests at Wichita County are straightforward. A name search without a case number costs $5. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. These are standard Texas District Clerk fees and match what you would pay at most Texas counties.
Note: Always confirm current fees before sending a payment. Fees can change and the District Clerk's office is the best source for the latest information.
Wichita Falls City Resources
The City of Wichita Falls maintains an official website at wichitafallstx.gov for general city services. The city has earned recognition for excellence in financial reporting and received ISO Class 1 fire rating status, a distinction held by fewer than 400 jurisdictions nationwide. Below is a screenshot from the city homepage.
This city website does not handle divorce records. For any divorce-related request, contact the Wichita County District Clerk. The Wichita Falls Municipal Court handles only Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations.
Divorce Filing Process in Wichita Falls
Filing for divorce in Wichita Falls follows standard Texas procedure under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The case is filed at the Wichita County District Clerk and assigned to one of the three district courts. Each step creates documents that become part of your permanent court record.
Before you can file, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirement. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Wichita County for at least 90 days before filing. If you just moved to Wichita Falls from another state, you may need to wait before filing here.
Texas has both no-fault and fault-based divorce. The most widely used ground is insupportability under Family Code § 6.001. This means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord with no hope of reconciliation. You don't have to prove wrongdoing. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or felony conviction are also available when the facts support them.
Once the petition is filed and served, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a judge can sign the Final Decree of Divorce. If both spouses agree on all terms, the case can move quickly after that waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer and may need hearings or mediation before the court resolves all issues.
Property in Texas divorces is divided using community property rules under Chapter 7 of the Family Code. Property gained during the marriage is generally divided in a way the court finds just and right.
Other Vital Records in Wichita County
Divorce records and other vital records are held by different offices in Wichita County. Knowing which office has what you need saves time. Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property records all go through the Wichita County Clerk, not the District Clerk.
The Wichita County Clerk is also in the courthouse at 900 7th Street, Room 250, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. The phone number is (940) 766-8195. County Clerk Annette C. Stanley's office has birth and death records dating back to the early 1900s, marriage licenses going back to 1882, and property records from the same era. An online document search is available at wichitacountytx-recorder.tylerhost.net for land records and other official documents.
For divorce verification letters from the state level, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov can confirm whether a divorce was recorded with the state since 1968. These letters confirm the fact of the divorce but do not include the full decree. The District Clerk has the actual decree.
The Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District at 1700 Third Street, phone (940) 761-7800, serves as a local registrar and may help with death certificate requests for Wichita County events.
Legal Help in Wichita Falls
If you need help with a divorce case in Wichita Falls, several resources are available. Legal aid organizations serve people with limited income. Attorney referral services help you find a licensed family law attorney in the area. Self-help guides can walk you through the process if you plan to file on your own.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search the attorney directory at texasbar.com and filter by county and practice area. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free guides and links to court forms for people handling their own divorce. All official Supreme Court Approved Divorce Forms are at txcourts.gov.
Wichita County Divorce Records
Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County. All divorce filings from the city and the surrounding area are filed at the Wichita County District Court. For more details about the county court system, available records, and how to search or request copies, visit the Wichita County divorce records page.
Other Texas Cities
These qualifying Texas cities also maintain divorce records through their respective county district courts.
- Allen (Collin County)
- San Angelo (Tom Green County)