Lubbock Divorce Decree Records
Lubbock divorce decree records are held by the Lubbock County District Clerk in downtown Lubbock. If you need to find a divorce case or get a copy of a Final Decree of Divorce filed in Lubbock, that office is your starting point. The District Clerk handles all family law filings for the county, which includes the city of Lubbock and surrounding communities. You can search cases online at the county portal or visit the office in person at 904 Broadway. Staff can look up records by name or cause number and make copies the same day. Certified copies are also available for cases that require an official court seal.
Lubbock Overview
Lubbock County Handles Divorce Filings
All divorce cases for the city of Lubbock go through Lubbock County District Court. The city itself has no role in handling divorce records. Lubbock County has six district courts that handle family law, and the District Clerk keeps all case files. Whether your divorce was filed last year or several decades ago, the Lubbock County District Clerk is where you go to find it.
The District Clerk's office is in the Lubbock County Courthouse on Broadway. You can get copies in person, or submit a request by mail. The office handles records for the entire county, which covers Lubbock and smaller surrounding communities. If you're not sure which court your case was filed in, staff can search by name and tell you the court assignment and cause number.
| Office | Lubbock County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 904 Broadway, Suite 105 Lubbock, TX 79401 |
| Phone | (806) 775-1317 |
| Fax | (806) 775-7992 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | publicrecords.lubbockcounty.gov |
Note: The Lubbock County Clerk (Room 207 of the same building) handles marriage licenses, not divorce records. Go to Suite 105 for District Clerk services.
Searching Lubbock Divorce Records
The Lubbock County District Clerk has an online case search portal at publicrecords.lubbockcounty.gov. You can search by party name or cause number. Results show basic case details like the names of both parties, file date, case status, and court assignment. This is the fastest way to find out if a divorce case exists and get the cause number before you go to the office for copies.
You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX system. It provides access to court records from many Texas counties including Lubbock. Not all document images are available through that system, but party names and case status usually show up. For full documents and certified copies, you still need to contact the Lubbock County District Clerk directly.
To search, you'll want:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Cause number if you have it
- Valid ID if visiting in person
Older records that predate the online system may only be available in physical form at the courthouse. Staff can still pull those records from the archives and make copies. Call ahead at (806) 775-1317 to ask about older case availability before making the trip.
The Lubbock County District Clerk also accepts mail requests. Send a written request with the party names, approximate case year, and your mailing address. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Payment by money order or check is typical for mail requests.
The City of Lubbock's official site provides general city services and refers residents to Lubbock County for divorce record requests.
Divorce filings for Lubbock residents are held at the Lubbock County District Clerk's office at 904 Broadway, not at any city office.
Lubbock Divorce Decree Fees
Filing fees for divorce in Lubbock County run around $300 for cases without children and slightly more when minor children are involved. These amounts can change, so confirm with the District Clerk before filing. If you can't afford the fee, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Courts that qualify people include those receiving public benefits or earning below 125% of the federal poverty level.
Copy fees at the Lubbock County District Clerk follow the standard Texas schedule. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. If staff must conduct a name search without a cause number, there is typically a $5.00 search fee per name. Confirm current fees when you call, as these can be updated.
Standard forms for filing are available at txcourts.gov and through texaslawhelp.org. All civil filings in Lubbock County must go through the Texas e-filing system at efile.txcourts.gov. Self-represented filers can use this system without an attorney.
Note: Payments accepted in person include cash, check, money order, and credit card. Make checks payable to Lubbock County District Clerk.
Divorce Process for Lubbock Residents
Lubbock residents file under the Texas Family Code, which governs all divorces in the state. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Lubbock County for at least 90 days before the case can be filed here. If you meet those requirements, you file the Original Petition for Divorce with the Lubbock County District Clerk.
Texas allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. The most common ground is insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001, which means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no reasonable chance of getting back together. You don't need to prove fault. Fault-based grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment can also be used but require more evidence at trial.
After filing, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 6.702 before the court can sign the Final Decree of Divorce. During that time, both parties exchange financial information and either settle or prepare for trial. When both spouses agree on all terms, the process moves faster. Contested cases, especially those involving children or property disputes, can take longer and may require mediation before trial.
Property is divided under Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Texas is a community property state, meaning most property and debt built up during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses. Courts divide it in a way that is "just and right," which doesn't always mean 50/50. Separate property, which is anything owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, stays with its owner.
If children are involved, the court requires a conservatorship order and a parenting plan. Child support is calculated under state guidelines based on the paying parent's net monthly income.
What a Lubbock Divorce Decree Contains
The Final Decree of Divorce is the court order that ends the marriage. It contains the full names of both parties, the date the decree was signed, and the judge's ruling on all contested issues. For most cases, the decree also includes property division, debt assignment, and spousal support terms if any were ordered.
When children are part of the case, the decree spells out which parent has legal and physical custody, a visitation schedule, and the amount and frequency of child support payments. A decree involving real property may also include or reference a special instrument called a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) that transfers retirement accounts between spouses.
Certified copies of the divorce decree are used for legal purposes such as changing a name, updating financial accounts, or providing proof of marital status for a new marriage. The Lubbock County District Clerk can issue certified copies with the court's official seal. Plain copies are also available at a lower cost when certification isn't required.
Note: Adoption records and juvenile records are sealed and not available through the District Clerk's public search system.
Legal Help for Lubbock Divorce Cases
Several legal aid and self-help resources serve the Lubbock area. South Plains Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in the Lubbock region. Call them directly to ask about eligibility and services for family law cases including divorce. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 where you can get a referral to a local family law attorney.
TexasLawHelp.org has self-help guides, step-by-step instructions for filing your own divorce, and links to all official court forms. The Texas State Law Library also maintains a comprehensive divorce guide with resources for people handling their own case. Official forms for petitions, waivers, and decrees are all at txcourts.gov.
If child support is an issue, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division can help establish and enforce orders. Their services are available at texasattorneygeneral.gov. Lubbock also has a Texas Department of State Health Services office that can provide general guidance on vital records, though divorce decrees themselves are not vital records and must be obtained from the District Clerk.
Lubbock County Divorce Records
Lubbock is in Lubbock County, and all divorce filings go through the Lubbock County District Court. The county court serves the city and all surrounding communities in the county. For detailed information about the county court system, office hours, online search tools, and records request procedures, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Lubbock with divorce record pages: