Young County Divorce Records

Young County divorce records are stored at the District Clerk's office in Graham, the county seat. If you are looking for a divorce case from this North Texas county, or need a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, the District Clerk is where you go. Graham is the county seat and home to the district courthouse. All family law filings in Young County, from the first petition to the final decree, are kept by the District Clerk. You can request records by visiting in person during office hours or by sending a written request by mail.

Young County District Clerk

The District Clerk maintains all official court records in Young County, including divorce case files. This office files petitions, stores documents, and processes requests for copies of decrees and other court papers. Graham is where the courthouse is located. For any divorce records need in Young County, this is the right office to contact.

Young County is in North Central Texas, west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It borders Palo Pinto County to the southeast and Stephens County to the south. Graham is the main city and the county seat. The 90th Judicial District Court handles divorce and family law cases for Young County.

The Young County website is a good starting point for county contact information. For divorce records specifically, call the District Clerk directly at (940) 549-0029. Staff can confirm what is on file, what copies cost, and how to submit your request.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics maintains a statewide divorce index for events from 1968 to present.

DSHS can issue a verification letter confirming a divorce occurred in Texas, but the full case file is only available from the Young County District Clerk in Graham.

How to Search Young County Divorce Records

Young County does not have its own public online case search tool. The best way to find a divorce record here is to contact the District Clerk by phone at (940) 549-0029 or to visit the courthouse in Graham. You can also check the statewide re:SearchTX system for case index information on more recently filed cases.

When searching in person, bring a photo ID and as much information about the case as you have. Full names of both parties and the approximate filing year are usually enough to locate a case. A cause number makes the search faster. The clerk can search the court indices and pull up the case file.

To request records by mail, send a written request to the Young County District Clerk at 516 Fourth Street, Graham, TX 76450. Include the names of both spouses, the year of the divorce, and your return address. Enclose payment for the search fee and expected copy costs. The clerk will follow up if there is any issue with your request.

Note: If you only need to confirm that a divorce took place in Texas, a verification letter from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section can serve that purpose. It is available for divorces from 1968 onward but does not include decree details.

Young County Divorce Filing Fees

Filing for divorce in Young County costs around $300 for a standard case. Cases involving children are often higher. The final amount includes state surcharges for court facilities, law library fees, and security. The District Clerk can give you the exact current fee when you call.

Copy fees for existing records are charged per page. Certified copies cost more than non-certified copies because they include the official court seal. Non-certified copies are fine for personal use, but legal matters usually require certified versions. Call the clerk to confirm the current rate before sending payment.

Low-income individuals can apply for a fee waiver under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. You must show that you meet the income threshold. The form is available free at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov.

Filing for Divorce in Young County

Young County divorce cases are governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The first step is filing the Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk in Graham. Every document filed after that point becomes part of the official case record kept at the courthouse.

Before you file, you must meet the residency requirement. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Young County for 90 days before filing. If you are new to the county, you may need to wait until you qualify.

Texas allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001 on the ground of insupportability. This means the marriage has broken down beyond repair. No proof of fault is needed. Fault grounds including cruelty (§ 6.002), adultery (§ 6.003), and abandonment (§ 6.005) are available too and may affect how property is divided in some cases.

Texas is a community property state. Under Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides marital property in a just and right manner. Property each spouse had before the marriage, and any gifts or inheritances received individually during the marriage, are treated as separate property when they were kept separate from shared funds.

What Is in a Young County Divorce Record

A Young County divorce case file contains the full set of documents from the proceeding. The Original Petition for Divorce is the first document. The citation or waiver of service is added to show the other party was notified. Temporary orders, financial disclosures, and any agreements the parties reach are all filed in the court record.

The Final Decree of Divorce is the most important document in the file. It is signed by the district judge and officially ends the marriage. The decree sets out how property and debt are divided, who has conservatorship of any children and on what schedule, child support amounts, and any spousal maintenance ordered by the court. A certified copy of this decree is needed for name changes, Social Security updates, and a wide range of legal and financial purposes.

Most divorce records in Young County are public. You do not have to be a party to request copies. Some sealed records or records containing information about minor children may have limited access in specific cases. Ask the District Clerk what is available when you make your request.

Legal Help in Young County

Legal aid resources for Young County residents are available through several regional organizations. If your income is low, you may qualify for free legal services for your divorce case.

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves Young County and handles family law matters for eligible clients. They cover divorce, custody, and support cases. The State Bar of Texas referral service is at (800) 252-9690. You can search for attorneys at texasbar.com. For self-help guides, visit texaslawhelp.org.

Free Texas Supreme Court approved divorce forms are available at txcourts.gov. The Texas eFile portal at efile.txcourts.gov allows electronic filing of court documents in counties that participate in the system.

Nearby Counties

Young County is surrounded by these North Texas counties. File your divorce case in the county where you or your spouse lives.