Divorce Records in Archer County

Archer County divorce records go back to 1881 and are held by the District Clerk in Archer City. If you need to look up a divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or check the status of a filing in Archer County, the District Clerk's office is where you start. Archer County is a small North Texas county served by the 97th District Court. You can request records by phone, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. This page explains how to find and get Archer County divorce records.

Archer County District Clerk

District Clerk Lori Rutledge heads the Archer County District Clerk's office. The office is on the second floor of the Archer County Courthouse at 100 S. Center, Archer City, TX 76351. The mailing address is P.O. Box 815, Archer City, TX 76351. The main phone is (940) 574-4615. Chief Deputy Clerk Kelly Reid and Deputy Clerk Mandy Kinnaman also staff the office. They can search records by name or cause number and make copies on request.

Archer County is part of the 97th Judicial District, which also handles Montague and Clay counties. Divorce cases filed in Archer County stay on file at the Archer City courthouse. The 97th District Court has its own website at 97thdistrictcourt.com with information specific to Archer County cases. E-filing for civil and criminal cases is available through efile.txcourts.gov.

How to Search Archer County Divorce Records

The 97th District Court site at 97thdistrictcourt.com provides an online search tool for Archer County cases. You can look up cases by party name or cause number to get basic case info. TexasFile also offers a searchable index of Archer County records going back to 1853. Free name searches are available on TexasFile with free registration. The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another option for searching district court records across Texas.

Phone requests are accepted at (940) 574-4615. Staff can help you find a case and tell you the copy cost in advance. You can then pay by mail before they send the copies. In-person visits to the second floor of the courthouse let you see the full file and get copies right away. Bring your ID and any information you have about the case. Copy fees are $1.00 per court record page. Certification adds a standard fee per document.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 815, Archer City, TX 76351. Include party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope or payment for mailing costs. Ask the clerk by phone first to confirm costs so your request isn't delayed. For historical Archer County divorce records going back to 1881, the District Clerk's office is the primary source. Some older records may be on microfilm.

The 97th District Court website at 97thdistrictcourt.com provides case search tools and court information specific to Archer County divorce and civil proceedings.

The district court site covers case lookup for all three counties in the 97th Judicial District, including Archer County divorce cases filed back to 1881.

Archer County Divorce Filing Process

Divorce filings in Archer County follow Texas state law. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Archer County for at least 90 days before filing. The petitioner files the Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk at the courthouse on S. Center Street. Forms are not available from the clerk's office, so get them from TexasLawHelp.org or txcourts.gov before you go.

Texas allows divorce on no-fault grounds under Texas Family Code § 6.001 using insupportability as the reason. This is the most common choice and the easiest to use. You simply state that the marriage has broken down beyond repair. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction are also valid under Texas law but require more evidence at trial.

After service is complete, a mandatory 60-day waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot grant the divorce until that period is up. Once both parties agree on all terms, or the court decides contested issues, the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce. Property division follows Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Texas is a community property state. What both spouses earned or acquired together during the marriage is split in a just and right manner. What each person owned before the marriage, or got as a gift or inheritance, stays with that person.

If children are involved, the decree will include custody and support terms under Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Archer County is a small community. Uncontested cases often move quickly through the 97th District Court once the waiting period is over.

The Archer County District Clerk page at co.archer.tx.us provides office contact details, e-filing instructions, and resources for parties filing divorce cases in Archer County.

The clerk's page links to online payment options for criminal fines and provides contact information for questions about Archer County divorce record requests.

What Archer County Divorce Records Contain

Archer County divorce records include all court documents from the time the petition is filed through the final decree. The Original Petition for Divorce is the first paper in the file. The record may then include the respondent's answer, citation papers, waiver of service if signed, and any motions or hearings. The Final Decree of Divorce is the last document signed by the judge and contains all terms of the divorce.

The decree spells out everything: which property goes to which spouse, how debts are split, who gets custody of children and on what schedule, child support amounts, and any spousal maintenance. Most people who need an Archer County divorce record are looking for the decree. Certified copies prove the divorce happened and set out the court's terms. You need them for name changes, financial account updates, Social Security records, and legal matters that require proof of marital status.

Archer County divorce records typically include both parties' names and addresses, dates of marriage and separation, grounds for divorce, property division details, custody and possession arrangements, child support orders, and attorney information. Most records are public. Tax returns and sensitive financial documents filed with the court may be sealed. Some child-related information may have restricted access.

Legal Help in Archer County

The District Clerk's office cannot give legal advice. For help with your divorce, start with TexasLawHelp.org, which has free guides and all the court forms needed to file without an attorney. The Texas Supreme Court-approved divorce forms are also available at txcourts.gov.

For an attorney referral in North Texas, use the State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer tool at texasbar.com. Legal aid organizations serving the Wichita Falls area may help low-income residents with Archer County divorce cases. Child support matters are handled separately by the Texas Attorney General at texasattorneygeneral.gov. Online criminal payments for Archer County cases can be made at the county's online payment portal if needed.

Cities in Archer County

Archer City is the county seat and the main city in Archer County. All divorce filings in the county go through the District Clerk's office at the Archer County Courthouse in Archer City.

Other communities in Archer County include Windthorst, Holliday, and Megargel. All divorce cases for county residents are handled by the single District Clerk's office in Archer City. Wichita Falls in neighboring Wichita County has a separate District Clerk.

Nearby Counties

Archer County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. These counties border Archer County. File in the county where you have lived for the past 90 days.