Pecos County Divorce Records
Pecos County divorce records are held by the District Clerk's office in Fort Stockton, Texas. This office keeps all divorce case files, petitions, and final decrees for cases heard in the county's district court. If you need to search for a divorce case filed in this county or get a certified copy of a decree, the District Clerk at 103 W. Callaghan is the place to contact. Pecos County covers a large area in West Texas and is one of the largest counties in the state by land area. In-person and mail requests are both accepted. Certified copies run $9.00 and plain copies are $1.00 per page.
Pecos County Overview
Pecos County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office at 103 W. Callaghan in Fort Stockton is the custodian of all divorce records in Pecos County. The clerk handles filings, case storage, and records requests. Both the District Clerk and County Clerk share the same building address. Staff can look up divorce cases by party name or cause number.
Pecos County is a large, sparsely populated county in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. The county seat of Fort Stockton is the main community here. Given the rural nature of the county, the courthouse serves residents across a wide geographic area. Cases go back many years and the clerk maintains the full archive of divorce records for the county.
| Office | Pecos County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 103 W. Callaghan Fort Stockton, TX 79735 |
| Phone (District Clerk) | (432) 336-7521 |
| Phone (County Clerk) | (432) 336-7555 |
| Copy Fees | $1.00 per page; certified: $9.00 |
How to Find Pecos County Divorce Records
The most direct way to access Pecos County divorce records is to call the District Clerk at (432) 336-7521. Give the clerk the names of both parties and an approximate year for the case. The clerk will search by name or cause number and let you know what documents are on file and what they cost.
You can also try the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This system from the Texas Office of Court Administration covers many Texas district courts and allows searches by party name or cause number. If you find the cause number there, use it when you call or write to the clerk for copies. Coverage varies, so calling directly is still the best option for older cases.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the District Clerk at 103 W. Callaghan, Fort Stockton, TX 79735. Include both parties' names, the approximate divorce date, and what type of copy you need. Certified copies cost $9.00 per document. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. A certified copy carries the court's official seal and is what most legal and financial institutions require.
If you need to confirm that a divorce was reported to the state, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics keeps a divorce index from 1968 onward. It shows names, date, and county but not the actual case documents. Use it to confirm the county before requesting the full record from the local clerk.
How Divorce Filings Work in Pecos County
To file for divorce in Pecos County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Pecos County for at least 90 days before the filing date. This is required by Texas Family Code Section 6.301. If you have recently moved to the county, you may need to wait before filing here.
Texas recognizes no-fault divorce. The ground is called insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This applies when the marriage has become unworkable due to ongoing conflict or incompatibility, with no reasonable chance the parties can reconcile. Most Texas divorces use this ground. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, abandonment, and felony conviction are also available in the law.
Texas law sets a mandatory 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 6.702. No divorce can be granted until 60 days after the petition was filed. If the parties agree on all terms, they can finalize the case right after that period ends. Contested cases take longer because the parties must go through mediation or a hearing before the judge signs the decree.
Property is divided as community property under Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Property and debt gained during the marriage is divided in a way the court finds fair. Each spouse's separate property, including pre-marriage assets and gifts or inheritance received during the marriage, generally stays with that spouse. The court considers all relevant circumstances when dividing community assets.
Note: Divorce forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are free at txcourts.gov. These cover simple and complex cases and are designed for people without attorneys.
What Is in a Pecos County Divorce Record
A Pecos County divorce record includes all documents filed from the start of the case to its close. The Original Petition for Divorce opens the file, followed by service documents, responses, motions, and any court orders issued along the way. The file closes with the Final Decree of Divorce, the judge's signed order that ends the marriage.
The decree covers every issue in the case. Property and debt division, conservatorship of children, a possession schedule, child support, and spousal maintenance are all set out in the decree. A certified copy is the most common type of request after a case is closed. It is needed for name changes, Social Security matters, remarriage, and many financial and legal transactions.
Most divorce records are public. Anyone can ask for copies. Exceptions apply to sealed records and certain financial documents or child-related materials restricted by court order. The clerk will tell you what is available before you pay for copies. Texas Government Code and the Texas Public Information Act generally require public access to court filings unless a specific exception applies.
The Texas Judicial Branch provides information about how district courts operate in counties like Pecos, including procedures for accessing public court records and requesting copies.
The District Clerk in Fort Stockton follows the same Texas state court rules and procedures used in all 254 counties.
Legal Resources in Pecos County
Legal aid options in West Texas are limited, but several resources are available. TexasLawHelp.org offers free guides, forms, and plain-language information on the Texas divorce process. This is the best starting point for anyone handling a case without an attorney. The site covers filing, serving the other party, reaching agreements, and getting the decree signed.
The State Bar of Texas referral service connects you with licensed attorneys in your area. Call (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com. You can narrow searches by county and practice area. Attorneys in Midland and Odessa regularly handle cases from West Texas counties including Pecos.
Official court forms are available for free at txcourts.gov. These include forms for uncontested divorces with and without children, and the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, which lets you request that the court waive your fees if you cannot pay.
Cities in Pecos County
Fort Stockton is the county seat and largest community in Pecos County. All divorce filings for the county go through the District Clerk's office in Fort Stockton.
Iraan is another community in Pecos County. The county covers a large geographic area in West Texas, but all court filings are centralized at the courthouse in Fort Stockton.
Nearby Counties
Pecos County is one of the largest counties in Texas by land area, bordered by several other West Texas counties. File in the county where you lived for 90 days before your petition date.