Cochran County Divorce Decree Records
Cochran County divorce decree records are held at the District Clerk's office in Morton, Texas. The District Clerk maintains all family law case files and handles requests for certified copies of final decrees. Cochran County is a small, rural county on the Texas South Plains near the New Mexico border. Most people access divorce records here by contacting the clerk's office directly in Morton, as the county has no local online search portal of its own.
Cochran County Overview
Cochran County District Clerk
The Cochran County District Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce decree records for the county. The office handles filings for the 286th Judicial District Court and maintains case files for family law, civil, and criminal matters. Staff can search for cases by name or cause number and process requests for certified copies of final decrees. The courthouse is located in Morton, the county seat and only incorporated city in Cochran County.
Cochran County is one of the smallest counties in Texas by population. The clerk's office handles a very small number of cases each year, which makes it one of the more accessible offices in the state for getting personal help with records requests. If you are calling from out of the area, staff can often handle your request by phone and mail without requiring you to travel to Morton. Include both parties' names, the year of filing, and payment with any mail request.
| Office | Cochran County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Main St. Morton, TX 79346 |
| Phone | (806) 266-5450 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.cochran.tx.us |
Search Cochran County Divorce Decrees
Cochran County does not have its own online case search portal. The statewide re:SearchTX system is the best free online option. It covers district court cases across Texas and lets you search by party name or cause number. You can view docket entries, filing dates, and case status. This helps confirm whether a case exists in Cochran County and gives you the cause number before you contact the clerk.
For certified copies of a divorce decree, contact the District Clerk at (806) 266-5450 during business hours. Have the names of both parties and the approximate year of filing. Staff will search by name or cause number, tell you what documents are available, and quote the current copy fee. Fees must be paid before copies are produced. Payment by money order or check is accepted for mail requests.
In-person visits to the Morton courthouse are straightforward. The clerk's office is in a small building, and staff can usually help you right away. Bring a government-issued ID. Certified copies are typically made while you wait. For older records that predate digital filing, an in-person visit or a specific mail request describing the case is usually needed.
Note: For divorces from 1968 onward, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office can confirm a divorce occurred and issue a verification letter without providing the full decree document.
The Texas State Law Library divorce guide explains how to find and request divorce decree records from small West Texas counties like Cochran, including how to use the statewide re:SearchTX case search system.
Cochran County Divorce Decree Fees
Divorce filing fees in Cochran County are based on the Texas statutory schedule plus any local court costs. A standard divorce without children typically runs around $300. Cases involving minor children have additional filing requirements and cost more. The District Clerk can give you the exact current amount when you call. Always confirm before filing.
Service of process is a separate expense. Serving the other spouse through the constable or a private server adds to the total. Certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce after the case ends have a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Mail requests include postage. These are real costs to factor in beyond just the initial filing fee.
Texas allows fee waivers under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs and show the court your financial situation. If approved, fees are waived. The form is at txcourts.gov or available at the clerk's office in Morton.
Divorce Filing in Cochran County
Cochran County divorces go through the 286th Judicial District Court. All proceedings follow Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Every document filed during the case becomes part of the official record at the District Clerk's office in Morton.
Residency is the first requirement. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Cochran County for 90 days before filing. Both parts of the requirement must be met before the petition is filed.
Texas allows no-fault divorce. The standard ground is insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. The marriage has broken down due to conflict with no chance of repair. No proof of wrongdoing is needed. Fault grounds including cruelty, adultery, and abandonment are also available when they apply.
A mandatory 60-day waiting period applies after filing under Texas Family Code Section 6.702. No decree can be signed until 60 days have passed. Agreed divorces can close quickly after that. Property is split under community property rules in Chapter 7, and spousal maintenance follows Chapter 8.
What Cochran County Divorce Records Include
A divorce case file at the Cochran County District Clerk's office holds everything filed during the case. The original petition starts the file. Temporary orders, financial affidavits, property inventories, and any agreed terms are added as the case moves forward. All of it is part of the official public record in Morton.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the key document. It is the signed court order that ends the marriage and lays out all the terms: property and debt division, conservatorship, possession and access for children, child support, and any spousal maintenance. Certified copies of this document are needed for name changes, real estate records, banking and insurance updates, and retirement account divisions. Get all the copies you need on your first request.
Most records at the Cochran County District Clerk's office are public. Anyone can request copies. Some materials may be sealed by court order, such as financial exhibits or records tied to protective orders. The clerk can tell you if a file has sealed portions and what you need to do to access them.
Legal Help in Cochran County
People in Cochran County handling a divorce have access to free legal resources even in this remote area. TexasLawHelp.org offers free guides for the full Texas divorce process and official court forms. It is the best starting point for understanding what steps you need to take, whether you plan to hire a lawyer or file on your own.
The State Bar of Texas referral service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with family law attorneys in the Lubbock region, which is the nearest urban center to Cochran County. Legal Aid of the South Plains may assist income-eligible residents in the area. The Texas State Law Library divorce guide covers the full process with links to statutes and forms. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division provides free child support services to all Texas residents.
Cities in Cochran County
No qualifying cities with a population over 100,000 are located in Cochran County. All divorce decree filings go through the Cochran County District Court in Morton.
Nearby Counties
Cochran County borders several West Texas and South Plains counties. File in the county where you or your spouse has lived for at least 90 days to meet the Texas residency requirement.