El Paso Divorce Decree Records
El Paso divorce decree records are maintained by the El Paso County District Clerk at 500 E. San Antonio Avenue, Suite 105 in downtown El Paso. If you need to find a divorce case or obtain a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, that office is where you start. The city of El Paso does not hold divorce records. The city's own website explicitly directs residents to contact El Paso County for divorce records. All divorce filings for El Paso residents go through El Paso County District Court, which handles family law cases for the city and surrounding communities.
El Paso Overview
El Paso County Handles El Paso Divorces
El Paso is the county seat of El Paso County, and all divorce cases for El Paso residents are filed in El Paso County District Court. The District Clerk, Norma C. Favela, is the official keeper of all those records. The City of El Paso Clerk is an entirely separate office that maintains city council records and city election documents. The city website is explicit: it tells residents to contact the County of El Paso for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. The city has no access to divorce files.
The El Paso County District Clerk office is at 500 E. San Antonio Avenue, Suite 105. The phone number is (915) 546-2021. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The El Paso County Clerk at the same address handles marriage licenses and property records but not divorce decrees. Those are maintained by the District Clerk only. The District Clerk holds family law case records including divorce, custody, child support, and adoption cases.
For more information about the county court system, visit the El Paso County divorce records page.
| Office | El Paso County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79901 |
| Phone | (915) 546-2021 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | epcounty.com/departments/district-clerk |
Note: El Paso County also has a County Clerk at the same address (phone 915-546-2071) for property and vital records, but that office does not maintain divorce decrees.
How to Find El Paso Divorce Records
El Paso County offers online public access to court records through the Odyssey portal at odyssey.epcounty.com. The portal is available around the clock and allows you to search by party name or case number. Civil and family case records are included. The portal shows case information including parties, case status, and docket entries. Document images can be purchased through the portal.
The statewide re:SearchTX system also covers El Paso County. This is a good option if you are not certain which county a case was filed in, or if you want to search multiple counties at once.
To search for an El Paso divorce decree, you will need the full name of at least one spouse and an approximate filing year. If you have a cause number, use that first for the fastest result. For older cases that may not be in the online system, contact the District Clerk at (915) 546-2021 to ask about in-person or mail options. Mail requests can be sent to 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105, El Paso, TX 79901 with your request details and payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail.
Note: The El Paso city website's 3-1-1 system and public information center handle city records only and cannot assist with divorce case searches.
El Paso Divorce Filing Fees
Divorce filing fees in El Paso are set by the El Paso County District Clerk. A basic divorce without children costs approximately $300 to $350 to file. Cases involving children cost more. Confirm current fees with the District Clerk at (915) 546-2021 before filing, since amounts can change. Fees are due when the petition is submitted.
Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 per document for certification. A name search fee of $5.00 per name applies when staff conducts the search for you. Service of process costs vary by method. Constable service is typically $75 to $100. Private process servers set their own rates.
If the fees are unaffordable, you may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at the courthouse and at txcourts.gov. You disclose your income and household expenses. The court reviews your financial situation and may waive or defer the fees. If you receive government assistance or earn below 125% of the federal poverty level, you are likely to qualify. File this form at the same time as your petition, not afterward.
Divorce Process for El Paso Residents
El Paso residents file for divorce at El Paso County District Court under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The process is the same across Texas, though local rules and standing orders may vary by county. Each document filed creates part of the public case record.
Residency is required. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in El Paso County for at least 90 days before the petition is filed. Both conditions must be met before you file.
Texas allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code Section 6.001 on the ground of insupportability. The marriage just needs to be broken beyond repair due to conflict or discord. No one has to be proven at fault. Fault grounds are also available if applicable, including cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, or living apart for at least three years. Fault can affect how property is divided under Texas Family Code Chapter 7.
After the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. Agreed cases tend to move faster. Disputed cases may require mediation or a trial. Once all issues are resolved, a judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, which becomes the official record of the divorce.
El Paso County, like other Texas counties, uses electronic filing through eFileTexas.gov for most new civil case filings, including divorce petitions.
What El Paso Divorce Records Include
An El Paso divorce case file at the District Clerk contains every document submitted to the court. The Final Decree of Divorce is the main document most people need. It is signed by the judge and contains all court orders on property division, debt, spousal maintenance if awarded, and all parenting arrangements if children are involved.
Other documents in the case file may include the original petition, citation, answer or waiver of service, any temporary orders issued during the case, financial affidavits, property settlement agreement, conservatorship orders, parenting plan, and child support order. Most of these are public records unless sealed by the court. Juvenile records, adoption records, and some financial disclosures may be restricted. To get document copies, visit the District Clerk in person, submit a mail request, or purchase documents through the Odyssey portal online. The Texas DSHS vital records office at dshs.texas.gov/vs can confirm a divorce occurred in Texas but does not provide the full decree.
Legal Help for El Paso Divorce Cases
El Paso has legal aid and self-help resources for people who need help with divorce cases. Several organizations serve low-income residents at no charge.
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA) serves El Paso and the surrounding region for civil matters including family law. Their office handles divorce, custody, and other family issues for income-eligible clients. Call or visit their website to apply. TexasLawHelp.org provides self-help guides for filing divorce in Texas without an attorney. Official court forms are available at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library's divorce guide is a free online resource that explains the process and links to relevant statutes.
The State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 offers a lawyer referral service where you can find a family law attorney in El Paso for an initial consultation at a reduced rate. For child support matters, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division can establish and enforce support orders at no cost to the custodial parent.
The City of El Paso's official website explicitly states that residents should contact El Paso County for divorce records, as the city has no role in family court filings.
El Paso residents must contact the El Paso County District Clerk at 500 E. San Antonio Avenue to search for or obtain divorce decree copies.
El Paso County Divorce Records
El Paso is in El Paso County, and all divorce filings go through El Paso County District Court. The county court handles cases for El Paso and surrounding communities in far West Texas. For full details on the county court system, online search tools, fees, and other resources, visit the El Paso County divorce records page.
Nearby Texas Cities
Divorce decree pages are available for other qualifying cities across Texas.