Find Divorce Records in Crane County
Crane County divorce records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Crane, Texas. The office maintains all divorce case documents filed in the county, from original petitions through final decrees. Crane is a small oil-patch county in West Texas, and the court handles a limited volume of cases each year. That can make it easier to get records quickly when you know what you need. You can reach the clerk by phone or visit the Crane County Courthouse in person to search or request copies.
Crane County Overview
Crane County District Clerk
The Crane County District Clerk holds all divorce case records. The office is at the Crane County Courthouse in the city of Crane. Staff there can search by name or cause number and pull copies from the file. The clerk also handles new filings and maintains the docket for the district court.
Crane County is served by the 109th Judicial District. This district covers Andrews County, Crane County, and Winkler County. The district judge rotates between counties on a set schedule. For scheduled court dates in Crane County, contact the District Clerk to find out when the judge is in Crane and what the current docket looks like.
The county website at co.crane.tx.us provides basic county office information. The Commissioners Court meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM. An online payment system is also available for certain court-related fees through the Justice of the Peace portal.
| Office | Crane County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Crane County Courthouse Crane, TX 79731 |
| Judicial District | 109th Judicial District |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.crane.tx.us |
How to Search Crane County Divorce Records
You can search Crane County divorce records in person at the courthouse or try the statewide re:SearchTX portal online. Because Crane is a small county, in-person visits are often the fastest way to get what you need. The clerk can search the records system and pull a file while you wait.
To search by name, give the clerk the full name of at least one spouse. The year of filing helps narrow it down if the name is common. If you have a cause number, that makes the search instant. For older records not yet in a digital system, the clerk may need extra time to locate physical files.
For online payment of certain fees, Crane County uses a municipal payments portal at cranecountytxjp.municipalonlinepayments.com. This is for Justice of the Peace payments and may not cover all district court copy fees. Confirm directly with the clerk what fees apply and how to pay for copies of divorce records.
The Crane County website provides county office contact information and links to public services.
The Crane County homepage is your starting point for finding district court information and contacting the District Clerk about divorce filings.
Note: Crane County uses the ezTaskTitanium content management system for its website. If you have trouble navigating to the District Clerk section, look under the County Offices or District Court menu item.
Filing for Divorce in Crane County
To file for divorce in Crane County, you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Crane County for at least 90 days. That residency rule is set by Texas Family Code Section 6.301. If neither spouse meets the Crane County part, you file in the county where one of you does live.
The most common ground for divorce in Texas is insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This is the no-fault ground. It means the marriage cannot go on because of conflict or discord with no real hope of fixing things. Texas also has fault grounds including cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, living apart for three years, and mental hospital confinement. The ground you pick goes into the petition and becomes part of the public record.
Once you file, the other spouse is served with a copy of the petition and a citation. After service, a 60-day waiting period begins. That is required by Texas Family Code Section 6.702. No judge can sign a final decree until those 60 days pass, except in cases involving family violence. After the wait, if both sides agree, the case can be finalized quickly. If not, the case may need hearings or a trial.
Property is divided under Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Texas is a community property state. That means the court splits marital property in a way it finds just and right. What you owned before the marriage and anything you got by gift or inheritance generally stays yours, as long as it was kept separate from marital funds.
Note: If you cannot afford filing fees, ask the clerk for a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The form is available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145, and the court decides if you qualify.
What Is in a Crane County Divorce Record
A divorce case file in Crane County includes all documents filed with the District Clerk. The Original Petition for Divorce opens the file. Other papers follow: service documents, any agreements reached, financial affidavits, parenting plans, and the Final Decree of Divorce. The decree is the main document because it ends the marriage and states all the terms the court has ordered.
The Final Decree of Divorce in a Crane County case covers property division, debt assignment, custody and possession if children are involved, child support, and spousal maintenance if any was awarded. It also includes a name change if one was requested. You need a certified copy of the decree to prove your marital status for remarriage, name changes, Social Security applications, and other legal purposes.
Most records are public. Financial source documents attached as exhibits, like tax returns, may be sealed. Records involving minor children sometimes have access limits. The District Clerk can tell you what is available and what requires a separate request or court order.
For a basic divorce verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section keeps a statewide index at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/marriage-divorce-verification. The index goes back to 1968 and confirms names, county, and date. For the full decree, go to the Crane County District Clerk.
Legal Help for Divorce in Crane County
Crane County residents can find legal help through the State Bar of Texas referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for attorneys at texasbar.com. Many family law lawyers offer a reduced-fee first meeting, and some handle uncontested divorces at flat rates.
If cost is an issue, TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has self-help guides and free court forms. Official Supreme Court approved divorce forms are also at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. These cover basic divorce situations and are in English and Spanish. Lone Star Legal Aid serves parts of West Texas and handles family law cases for people who qualify by income.
Note: The Vital Statistics Section at DSHS can confirm whether a divorce was recorded in Texas since 1968, but for a full certified copy of the decree, contact the Crane County District Clerk directly.
Cities in Crane County
Crane is the county seat and the only incorporated city in Crane County. All divorce filings for the county go through the District Clerk's office at the Crane County Courthouse.
The city of Crane has a small but steady population tied to the oil and gas industry. All district court matters, including divorce filings and record requests, are handled at the courthouse in Crane.
Nearby Counties
Crane County sits in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. These are the counties that border or are near Crane County.