Presidio County Divorce Records

Presidio County divorce records are kept by the District Clerk at the courthouse in Marfa. All divorce cases filed in Presidio County go through the district court, and the clerk's office is the place to go for case lookups, document copies, and certified copies of final decrees. The county sits in far West Texas along the Rio Grande, and the clerk handles all records requests by phone, in person, or by mail.

Presidio County District Clerk

The District Clerk's office in Marfa is the official custodian of all divorce records for Presidio County. The office keeps case files for divorces filed in the county, stores decrees, and makes copies for anyone who asks. Staff can search by party name or cause number. The courthouse is on Highland Street in Marfa.

Presidio County is a large, rural West Texas county with a modest population. Because it is small by caseload, the clerk's office can give personal attention to records requests. If you are searching for an older divorce, they can check paper indexes that go back many decades. Bring both spouses' names and an approximate year. That is usually enough to find what you need.

For broader Texas case data, the statewide re:SearchTX portal can show case records from many Texas courts, including Presidio County. The Texas DSHS divorce index at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics can confirm whether a divorce was recorded in Texas since 1968 and which county it was filed in.

The Texas Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide divorce index covering records from 1968 to the present, including divorces granted in Presidio County.

This index can confirm basic facts about a divorce, but certified copies of the actual decree must come from the Presidio County District Clerk in Marfa.

How to Find Presidio County Divorce Records

Presidio County does not operate its own online case search portal. The best first step is to call the District Clerk at (432) 729-4608 or visit the courthouse in Marfa. The statewide re:SearchTX system is worth checking first, as it pulls case data from courts across Texas and may show Presidio County entries without a trip to the courthouse.

To request records by mail, send a written request to the District Clerk's mailing address at P.O. Box 1399, Marfa, TX 79843. Include the full names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed. If you have a cause number from a prior document, include that too. State clearly what documents you need and whether you want plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are used for legal purposes like name changes or remarriage.

Plain copies cost $1 per page under the standard Texas rate. Certification adds $5 per document. The clerk can tell you the exact fee when you call. Payment by check or money order is the usual method for mail requests, made out to the Presidio County District Clerk.

Note: For divorces that happened before 1968, the statewide DSHS index does not apply. You will need to contact the clerk directly. Older records may be on microfilm or in physical folders stored at the courthouse.

Filing for Divorce in Presidio County

To file for divorce in Presidio County, you go to the District Clerk's office in Marfa. Texas state law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6 governs the process for all counties. One spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Presidio County for at least 90 days before filing. This is the residency rule under Texas Family Code § 6.301.

You file an Original Petition for Divorce with the clerk. The clerk assigns a cause number, and a citation is issued. The other spouse must be served with the petition and citation. Service can be done by a constable, a licensed private process server, or by certified mail in limited circumstances. If both sides agree on everything, the respondent can sign a Waiver of Service instead.

Texas Family Code § 6.702 requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be granted. This waiting period applies in Presidio County just as it does statewide. Once the waiting period passes and all terms are agreed upon, the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce. That decree is filed with the District Clerk and becomes a public record.

Texas follows community property rules. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, property acquired during the marriage is divided in a just and right way by the court. Property each spouse owned before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, is generally separate property. The court decides what is fair based on the circumstances of the case.

Presidio County Divorce Filing Fees

Filing fees in Presidio County are set by the District Clerk and tend to be lower than those in large metro counties. Expect to pay in the range of $250 to $300 for a divorce without children. Cases involving minor children typically cost more. Call the clerk at (432) 729-4608 to get the exact current fees before you file.

Copies of records cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a $5 certification fee per document. If you cannot pay the fees, you may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The form is available at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your income and expenses and decides if you qualify for a waiver. All official Texas divorce forms are also available at that site at no cost.

Legal Help in Presidio County

Finding a family law attorney in a rural county can take some effort. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with attorneys who practice in the Trans-Pecos region. You can also search at texasbar.com. Attorneys in Alpine and El Paso sometimes serve Presidio County clients as well.

If you want to handle your own divorce, TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free step-by-step guides and all Texas Supreme Court approved forms. Lone Star Legal Aid serves parts of West Texas for people with low income who qualify. Official court forms are also free at txcourts.gov.

Nearby Counties

Presidio County is in far West Texas. These border counties are nearby. Each has its own District Clerk and divorce records.