Gray County Divorce Decree Records
Gray County divorce decree records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Pampa. The clerk maintains all divorce case files for the county, from the initial petition through the final decree signed by the judge. Online search access is limited for Gray County, so most requests go through the clerk's office directly. If you need to find a Gray County divorce case or request a certified copy of a decree, this page covers the office, the process, and how Texas family law applies in this Panhandle county.
Gray County Overview
Gray County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office in Pampa is where all Gray County divorce records are kept. The clerk handles new filings, maintains the case files, and processes requests for copies of decrees and other documents. Staff can search by party name or cause number. Older paper records are also available if you are looking for a case filed years ago.
Gray County is in the Texas Panhandle, southeast of Amarillo. The county seat is Pampa, where all district court proceedings take place. Gray County is served by the 31st Judicial District. If you or your spouse lived in Gray County for at least 90 days before filing, you can file your divorce petition here. Call the clerk if you have questions about eligibility.
| Office | Gray County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 N Russell St Pampa, TX 79065 |
| Phone | (806) 669-8000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.gray.tx.us |
Searching Gray County Divorce Records
Gray County offers limited online search access for divorce cases. You can try the statewide re:SearchTX portal to see if your case is in the system. Search by party name or cause number. If the case does not show up, that does not mean it does not exist. Contact the clerk directly for a more thorough search.
To search by phone, call (806) 669-8000. The staff can look up cases by name or cause number and tell you what is in the file. For in-person visits, come during business hours and bring a photo ID. Have the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of the filing ready to give the clerk.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk's office with the details of the case and what you need. Include payment for copy fees and specify whether you need plain or certified copies. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents returned by mail. The clerk will process your request and contact you if there are any issues.
Gray County Divorce Fees
Filing a divorce petition in Gray County costs around $300, though exact fees depend on the case and current schedules. Cases with children may cost more. Call the clerk's office to get the current fee list before you file. Fees are set by state law and may be adjusted periodically.
Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for the certification. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Payment is required before the clerk releases any documents. Ask how many pages the decree is before paying so you can calculate the total cost in advance.
If you cannot pay court fees, ask the clerk for a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. You can also find the form at txcourts.gov.
Filing for Divorce in Gray County
Texas law governs all divorce cases in Gray County. Residency is the first requirement. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Gray County for 90 days before filing the petition. If you have lived in Pampa or anywhere else in the county for at least that long, you can file here.
No-fault divorce is the most common type filed in Texas. Under Texas Family Code § 6.001, insupportability is sufficient grounds. This means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord, and there is no chance of reconciliation. You do not have to prove anyone did anything wrong. Fault-based grounds like cruelty or adultery are also available when they apply.
After the petition is filed, a 60-day waiting period starts. Under Texas Family Code § 6.702, no divorce can be finalized until that time has passed. If the spouses agree on all issues, the case can close right after the 60 days. If there are disputes, the timeline extends. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial.
Property Rules: Texas is a community property state. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, marital property is divided in a just and right manner. This is not always an equal split, and the judge considers each party's situation.
What Gray County Divorce Files Include
The divorce case file at the Gray County District Clerk holds the Original Petition for Divorce and every other document filed in the case. This includes citations, waivers of service, temporary orders, and financial disclosures. If a settlement agreement was reached through mediation, that goes in the file too. The final document is the signed Final Decree of Divorce.
The decree is the key record. It ends the marriage and sets all the terms. Property is divided, debts are assigned, and if children are part of the case, the decree includes conservatorship, a possession schedule, and child support. Support is calculated under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Once signed, the decree is a court order binding on both parties.
Certified copies of the decree are needed for name changes, updating accounts, and proving marital status for legal and financial purposes. Most divorce records in Gray County are public. The clerk can tell you if any part of a particular file has been sealed or restricted by court order.
Texas courts require electronic filing for new cases through eFileTexas, including in Gray County.
New divorce petitions in Gray County must be submitted electronically. The clerk's office can assist with questions about the e-filing process.
Legal Help for Gray County Divorce
Free divorce guides are available at texaslawhelp.org. This site has step-by-step help for Texans who are representing themselves in divorce cases. The Texas State Law Library also has a detailed guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce. All court forms are at txcourts.gov.
To find a licensed attorney in the Pampa area, use the Texas State Bar referral service at texasbar.com. Legal aid programs serve the Panhandle region and may offer free help to those who qualify based on income.
Cities in Gray County
Pampa is the county seat and the largest city in Gray County. All divorce cases in the county are filed at the District Court in Pampa. No cities in Gray County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.
Nearby Counties
Gray County is in the Texas Panhandle. These neighboring counties are also in the region:
Wheeler County | Collingsworth County | Donley County | Carson County | Roberts County