Wichita Falls Divorce Decree Search
Wichita Falls divorce decree records are kept by the Wichita County District Clerk, which is located right in Wichita Falls at the county courthouse. Since Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County, residents don't have to travel far to search or request copies. You can look up divorce cases online for free, or visit the clerk's office in person to get certified copies and access full case files. This guide covers the search process, what the records contain, filing fees, the divorce process in Wichita Falls, and legal resources for residents.
Wichita Falls Overview
Wichita County Handles Divorce Records
Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County. All divorce cases for Wichita Falls residents are filed at the Wichita County District Court, and the Wichita County District Clerk maintains those records. The courthouse and the District Clerk's office are both in downtown Wichita Falls, so residents can handle everything locally.
Wichita County covers Wichita Falls and the surrounding area in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. If either spouse lived in Wichita County at the time of filing, the case belongs to this court system. The county phone number is (940) 766-8100 for general county inquiries, and the District Clerk can be reached directly at the courthouse.
The Wichita Falls City Secretary at 1300 7th Street handles city open records requests, not divorce records. The municipal court at that address deals only with city violations. For divorce decree records, the Wichita County District Clerk is the right office.
Wichita County District Clerk
The Wichita County District Clerk is the official record keeper for all district court filings in Wichita Falls. That includes divorce cases, child custody matters, and other family law proceedings. Staff can search for cases by name or cause number, pull files, and issue copies at the rates set by the county.
| Office | Wichita County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 7th Street, Suite 250 Wichita Falls, TX 76301 |
| Phone | (940) 766-8100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.wichita.tx.us |
Mail requests to the District Clerk should include a self-addressed stamped envelope, payment by check or money order, and as much case identifying information as possible. Call ahead to confirm current fees and what to include in your request.
The City of Wichita Falls website lists city departments and services, but divorce decree records for Wichita Falls residents are only held at the Wichita County District Clerk's office.
How to Search Wichita Falls Divorce Decree Records
Wichita County offers online case search through its official portal at co.wichita.tx.us. You can look up cases by party name or case number. The search is free and available any time. Results show the names of the parties, the case type, the filing date, and current status. The portal shows case-level information and docket activity, not the full text of the decree.
To get a copy of the actual decree, contact the District Clerk in person, by mail, or by phone. The statewide re:SearchTX portal is also useful for Wichita County searches, especially if you're not sure when the case was filed. That system searches across multiple Texas counties.
For the search to work, you need at least one spouse's full legal name. A filing year range helps narrow things down. A cause number is the fastest way to find a specific case. If you have any old court documents, check the top of the page for the cause number. It's usually printed there in a standard format.
In-person access is available at the courthouse during business hours. Public access terminals may be available if you want to search on your own without staff assistance.
Divorce Decree Copy Fees in Wichita Falls
The Wichita County District Clerk charges $1.00 per page for plain copies and $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee for certified copies. Staff-assisted name searches carry a fee, typically $5.00 per name. Online searches through the public portal are free.
Filing a new divorce case in Wichita County costs roughly $300 or more. The actual amount depends on the case type, whether children are involved, and what motions are filed. The clerk's office posts a current fee schedule at the courthouse.
If you need a fee waiver, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with the court. That form is available at the clerk's office or at txcourts.gov. People who receive government benefits or earn below 125% of the federal poverty line typically qualify.
E-filing through eFileTexas.gov is required for civil and family law filings in Texas. This applies to new divorce cases in Wichita County as well.
Filing for Divorce in Wichita Falls
To file for divorce in Wichita Falls, you or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Wichita County for at least 90 days. This residency requirement comes from Texas Family Code Section 6.301. Once you meet those requirements, you file an Original Petition for Divorce at the Wichita County District Court.
Texas allows divorce without proving fault. The no-fault ground under Family Code Section 6.001 is called "insupportability." It means the marriage has broken down due to conflict and can't be fixed. One spouse can state this without the other's agreement, and the court can grant the divorce on that basis. Fault grounds such as cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction are also available under Chapter 6.
After the petition is filed, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. Under Family Code Section 6.702, the court can't sign the decree until that time has passed. An agreed case can move through quickly once the waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer and may go to trial before the judge resolves the issues.
Property division follows Texas community property law under Family Code Chapter 7. Assets and debts from the marriage are divided, generally evenly unless there's a strong reason for a different split. If children are part of the case, the court also sets up a parenting plan and child support order under the guidelines in Family Code Chapter 8.
What the Wichita Falls Divorce Decree Contains
The Final Decree of Divorce is a binding court order signed by the judge and filed with the Wichita County District Clerk. It ends the marriage and resolves all related legal issues in one document. Once filed, it becomes part of the permanent public record for Wichita County. You may need a certified copy for a name change, to update a deed, or to satisfy a lender or government agency.
The decree lists both spouses' full legal names, the date of marriage, the date the divorce was granted, and the legal grounds. It describes the division of community property, assigning specific assets and debts to each spouse. Real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, and bank accounts may all be listed individually.
When children are involved, the decree also includes a parenting plan. That plan covers who makes decisions for the children, when each parent has time with them, and how much child support is owed. A name restoration for either spouse, if requested, is included as well. The decree is binding and enforceable in any Texas court once signed.
Note: Certified copies carry the court seal and clerk's signature. Plain copies are fine for reference but many institutions require certified copies for official purposes.
Legal Help in Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls residents who need legal help with a divorce can reach the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. The bar's online directory lists attorneys by city and practice area, making it easy to find family law help in Wichita Falls. Some attorneys in the area offer reduced fees or payment plans for clients with limited income.
TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides, forms, and instructions for Texas divorce cases. The site is particularly useful for people filing without a lawyer in straightforward agreed cases. It also has a directory of legal aid organizations by region, which can help Wichita County residents find local free or low-cost legal services.
All official Texas divorce forms are free at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library divorce guide explains the process in plain terms. For child support enforcement or modification, contact the Texas Attorney General Child Support Division.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying Texas cities near Wichita Falls also have divorce records pages.