Parmer County Divorce Records
Parmer County divorce records are maintained by the District Clerk's office in Farwell, Texas. The District Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce case files, including petitions, final decrees, and other documents from family law cases in the county. If you need to search for a divorce case or request a copy of a decree, you can contact the clerk by phone or mail. Parmer County is a small rural county in the Texas Panhandle on the New Mexico border. In-person and mail requests are the primary ways to access records here. The clerk can find cases by party names or cause number.
Parmer County Overview
Parmer County District Clerk Office
The District Clerk for Parmer County is based in Farwell, the county seat, which sits directly on the Texas-New Mexico state line. The clerk's office handles all divorce filings and related records for the county. Staff can search cases by name or cause number and prepare copies for anyone who submits a valid request.
Because Parmer County has a small population, the clerk's office processes records requests without a long wait in most cases. The volume of divorce filings is modest compared to larger counties, which means older records are generally accessible and staff are familiar with the case index. Mail requests are a practical way to get records without making the trip to Farwell.
| Office | Parmer County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 356 Farwell, TX 79325 |
| Phone | (806) 481-3419 |
| Website | parmercounty.net |
| Copy Fees | $1.00 per page; $5.00 certification |
How to Access Parmer County Divorce Records
To search for a divorce record in Parmer County, start by calling the District Clerk at (806) 481-3419. Have the full names of both parties and an approximate year for the case when you call. The clerk can look up the case and tell you what is available and what it costs to get copies.
The Texas statewide portal re:SearchTX may also list Parmer County cases. You can search by party name to see if a case appears in the system. If you find the cause number, include it when you request copies from the clerk. Not all records from smaller counties appear in the online system, so calling directly is still the most reliable approach.
For mail requests, send your request to P.O. Box 356, Farwell, TX 79325. Include both parties' full names, the approximate divorce date, and the type of copy you need. Plain copies run $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 seal fee per document. Certified copies are required for most legal uses, including name changes, remarriage, and benefit applications.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics keeps a statewide divorce index from 1968 to present. This shows names, county, and date of the divorce but does not include the actual decree or case file. It is useful for confirming that a divorce was reported to the state and narrowing down which county holds the records.
Note: If you cannot afford copy fees, the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs is available free at txcourts.gov. File it with the court to request a waiver.
Filing for Divorce in Parmer County
Before filing a divorce case in Parmer County, the residency requirement in Texas Family Code Section 6.301 must be met. One spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Parmer County for at least 90 days before the filing date. If you are new to the county, you may need to wait before the court can take your case.
Texas allows no-fault divorce through the ground of insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This ground applies when the marriage has broken down due to conflict or incompatibility, and there is no reasonable hope of reconciliation. You do not need to show that one party caused the breakdown. Fault grounds such as cruelty, adultery, or abandonment are also recognized but are used less often.
After the petition is filed, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 6.702. The divorce cannot be granted until those 60 days have passed. If both parties agree on all terms, an agreed Final Decree can be signed at the end of the waiting period. Cases with disputes about property, children, or support go through additional steps and take longer.
Texas divides marital property under community property rules set out in Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Property acquired during the marriage is split in a way the court finds fair. Separate property, which includes assets each spouse had before the marriage as well as gifts and inheritance received during the marriage, remains with that spouse.
What Parmer County Divorce Records Contain
The divorce case file at the Parmer County District Clerk's office includes all documents submitted during the case. The Original Petition for Divorce starts the file. From there, the file includes responses from the other party, any motions filed, financial documents, and court orders signed by the judge. The last and most important document is the Final Decree of Divorce.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the signed court order that ends the marriage. It sets out all the terms. This includes the division of property and debts, any conservatorship arrangement for children, a possession schedule, child support amounts, and spousal maintenance if the court ordered it. A certified copy of the decree is often needed for legal and financial purposes after the case is over.
Divorce records are generally public. The names of both parties, the cause number, filing dates, and the decree are accessible to anyone. Some parts of the file may be limited. Financial exhibits, tax returns submitted to the court, and records relating to minor children can be restricted by court order. The clerk will tell you what is open for a specific case.
The Parmer County official website provides contact information for county offices including the District Clerk in Farwell.
Check the county site before contacting the office to verify current hours and mailing details.
Legal Help in Parmer County
Legal aid in rural Parmer County is limited. TexasLawHelp.org is the best free resource for self-represented divorce filers in Texas. The site has plain-language guides on every step of the process, downloadable forms, and legal information specific to Texas law. It is available to anyone at no cost.
For a private attorney, the State Bar of Texas offers a referral service. Call (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com. Attorneys in Lubbock and Clovis, New Mexico handle cases in this region. Many offer flat fees for simple uncontested divorces, which can keep costs manageable.
Free court forms are posted at txcourts.gov. The Texas Supreme Court has approved these forms for use by self-represented filers across the state. You can also find the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment there if you need to ask the court to waive your fees.
Cities in Parmer County
Farwell is the county seat of Parmer County and serves as the county's main community. All divorce records for the county are held at the District Clerk's office in Farwell.
Friona and Bovina are among the other towns in Parmer County. All cases filed in the county are handled by the Parmer County District Court in Farwell.
Nearby Counties
Parmer County is in the southern Texas Panhandle, at the New Mexico state line. These nearby counties have their own District Clerk offices for divorce filings.