Wichita County Divorce Records

Wichita County divorce records are filed and stored at the District Clerk's office in Wichita Falls. The clerk maintains all family law filings, including petitions, agreed decrees, support orders, and final judgments. Whether you need to search for an old case or get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, the District Clerk at the Wichita County Courthouse is your main contact. Online case searches are available through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, and in-person requests can be made at the courthouse Monday through Friday.

Wichita County District Clerk

The District Clerk's office in Wichita Falls handles all divorce records for Wichita County. Staff can search cases by name or cause number and make certified or plain copies of documents. Three district courts serve the county, including the 30th, 78th, and 89th District Courts, giving the county extra capacity for family law matters.

The courthouse is in downtown Wichita Falls. You can go there in person or send a written request by mail. When you send a mail request, include the full names of both spouses, the approximate year the case was filed, and the cause number if you have it. The clerk will search and reply with what they find and the cost for copies.

The state-level Texas court records portal at re.search.txcourts.gov covers Wichita County cases and lets you search for free by party name. For a more focused look at county property and vital records, the Wichita County Clerk at Room 250 in the same courthouse handles marriage licenses and real property documents.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics website gives a good overview of how divorce records work in Texas. The image below shows what the state-level portal looks like when looking up divorce verification information.

The DSHS index covers Texas divorces from 1968 forward. A verification letter from DSHS confirms whether a divorce is on file with the state but does not provide the full decree. For the decree itself, contact the Wichita County District Clerk directly.

How to Search Wichita County Divorce Records

Start with the free re:SearchTX portal if you want to confirm a case exists before making a formal request. The system lets you search by name or cause number and shows basic docket information. Wichita County cases are included. Go to re.search.txcourts.gov and enter the search terms.

For full case records or certified copies, you go to the District Clerk's office. The search fee at the Wichita County District Clerk is $5.00 per name. Copies are $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Bring your government-issued ID when you visit in person.

Mail requests are accepted. Send a letter to the District Clerk at 900 7th Street, Room 303, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known. Enclose a check or money order for the search fee and anticipated copy costs, or ask the clerk to contact you with the total before sending payment.

The Wichita County Clerk also maintains an online document search for land and property records at wichitacountytx-recorder.tylerhost.net, which covers records going back to 1882. That system does not include divorce records but is useful for related property research.

Note: The District Clerk handles divorce records. The County Clerk at Room 250 handles marriage licenses, property records, and probate. These are two separate offices in the same building.

Wichita County Divorce Fees

Filing a divorce petition in Wichita County costs in the range of $300, depending on the case type. Cases involving children tend to run a bit more because of additional required surcharges. The base fee covers court costs, and the state adds a few smaller charges on top of that.

For records requests, the fees are set by the District Clerk. The current schedule is:

• Name search: $5.00 per name
• Plain copies: $1.00 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford to pay. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with the court. Forms are at the clerk's office or at txcourts.gov. Show proof of your income and expenses. The court reviews the request and decides if you qualify. This applies to both filing fees and copy costs.

Divorce Process in Wichita County

Divorces in Wichita County go through one of three district courts: the 30th, 78th, or 89th District Court. All follow Texas state law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The District Clerk assigns the cause number and keeps the case file from start to finish.

The residency rule must be met first. Texas Family Code § 6.301 says one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Wichita County for 90 days before filing. If you do not meet the county residency rule, you cannot file here yet. You may be able to file in the county where you lived previously if you still meet that county's 90-day rule.

Texas allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001, based on "insupportability." This means the marriage cannot be saved due to ongoing conflict or discord. No proof of fault is required. Fault-based grounds like cruelty, adultery, abandonment, felony conviction, living apart for three years, or confinement in a mental hospital are also recognized in Texas and can affect how property and support are decided.

Once the petition is filed, a 60-day waiting period kicks in under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The judge cannot sign the final decree until that waiting period has passed. After 60 days, if both spouses agree, the judge can approve an agreed decree. Contested issues may require mediation or a hearing before the court rules.

What Is in a Wichita County Divorce File

A divorce case file in Wichita County can be thin or thick depending on how contested the case was. Simple agreed divorces often have just a few documents. More complex cases with property disputes or custody fights can run to many pages. All documents are stored at the District Clerk's office and are kept permanently.

The Final Decree of Divorce is the core document everyone needs. It spells out the terms the judge approved or the parties agreed to. Property and debt division, conservatorship of children, a possession and access schedule, and any child support or spousal maintenance amounts are all in the decree. This is the document you need to show when changing your name, proving marital status, or enforcing a court order.

Other records in the file may include financial disclosures, property inventories, parenting plans, income withholding orders, and any motions or orders related to temporary relief during the case. These are generally public unless sealed by court order. Tax returns and sensitive financial documents attached as exhibits are sometimes protected.

Legal Help in Wichita County

Several resources can help Wichita County residents with divorce cases. Free and low-cost legal help is available for people who qualify by income. Self-help tools are available online for those who plan to file without an attorney.

Lone Star Legal Aid covers North Texas, including Wichita County. They handle family law cases for low-income residents and can help with divorce, custody, and support. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org for eligibility details. If you need a private attorney, the Texas State Bar referral line is (800) 252-9690 and their lawyer search is at texasbar.com.

For self-help resources, visit texaslawhelp.org. That site has guides for every stage of the divorce process and links to official forms. Official court forms are free at txcourts.gov. The Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District at 1700 Third Street, (940) 761-7800, serves as a local registrar for vital records and may help with related documents like death certificates.

Cities in Wichita County

Wichita County is home to Wichita Falls, one of the larger cities in North Texas. All divorce cases for residents of this city go through the Wichita County District Court in Wichita Falls.

Nearby Counties

Wichita County borders several counties in North Texas. If you are unsure where the divorce was filed, check the county where the filing spouse lived at the time.