Hale County Divorce Records
Hale County divorce decree records are kept at the District Clerk's office in Plainview. The clerk maintains all divorce case files for the county and handles requests for certified copies and case lookups. Online search access is limited for Hale County, so most requests go through the clerk directly. If you need to find a divorce record or get a copy of a final decree from Hale County, this page explains the process, the office, and the Texas laws that apply.
Hale County Overview
Hale County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office in Plainview handles all divorce records for Hale County. The office files new petitions, maintains case files, and processes copy requests. Staff can search by party name or cause number. If you have an older case, the clerk can pull paper records as well. Call ahead before visiting to confirm what you need and the current processing times.
Hale County is in the Texas Panhandle south of Lubbock. The county seat is Plainview, where the courthouse and District Clerk's office are located. The county is served by the 64th Judicial District. All divorce cases filed by Hale County residents go through the courthouse in Plainview.
| Office | Hale County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 Broadway St, Suite 140 Plainview, TX 79072 |
| Phone | (806) 291-5221 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.hale.tx.us |
Searching Hale County Divorce Decree Records
Hale County has limited online search access for divorce cases. The statewide re:SearchTX portal may have some Hale County case data. Try that first. If the case is not showing up there, contact the District Clerk directly for a more complete search.
To search by phone, call (806) 291-5221. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number and tell you what documents are in the file. In-person visits are accepted during regular business hours. Bring a photo ID and as much case information as you have. The full names of both parties and the year the case was filed are the most useful details to have ready.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk's office, describe the case, and include payment for copy fees. Note whether you need plain or certified copies. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailed returns. Payment by check or money order is generally accepted, made out to the Hale County District Clerk.
Hale County Divorce Filing Fees
Filing a divorce petition in Hale County costs around $300. The exact total depends on the case type and current fee schedule. Cases with children may cost more. Call the clerk before filing to get current prices. Fees can change and are set by a combination of state law and local schedules.
Certified copies of the final decree 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 copies. Ask how many pages the decree is before you pay so you know the total in advance.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot pay. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Get the form from the clerk or at txcourts.gov.
Divorce Process in Hale County
To file for divorce in Hale County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Hale County for 90 days before filing. This is in Texas Family Code § 6.301. If you live in Plainview and have been there for 90 days, you can file here. Both spouses do not need to live in the county.
Most people file using no-fault grounds. Under Texas Family Code § 6.001, insupportability means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no chance of reconciliation. No fault has to be proven. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, and abandonment are also available under Texas law.
After filing, a 60-day waiting period begins. Under Texas Family Code § 6.702, the court cannot finalize the divorce until those 60 days have passed. If both parties agree on all issues, the case can close soon after the waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer.
Texas divides marital property under community property rules. Texas Family Code Chapter 7 requires the court to divide property in a just and right manner. That is not always a 50-50 split. The judge looks at the full picture before deciding how to divide assets and debts. Property owned before the marriage is usually separate and not divided.
What Hale County Divorce Files Include
A Hale County divorce file begins with the Original Petition for Divorce. Every document filed after that is part of the case record. This can include the other spouse's response, temporary orders, financial affidavits, and a mediated settlement agreement. The file closes when the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce.
The final decree ends the marriage and sets all the terms. Property division, debt assignments, spousal maintenance if ordered, and provisions for children are all in the decree. When children are involved, the decree includes a conservatorship plan, possession schedule, and child support ordered under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Certified copies of the decree are needed for name changes, financial accounts, and other legal matters.
Most Hale County divorce records are public. You do not have to be a party to the case to request copies. Some records may be sealed or restricted. The clerk will advise you on what is available for a specific case.
The VitalChek service provides another option for requesting certain Texas vital and court records online.
For the certified Hale County divorce decree itself, the District Clerk in Plainview is the correct source.
Legal Resources for Hale County Divorce
Free self-help guides for Texas divorce are available at texaslawhelp.org. This site is run by Texas legal aid organizations and provides forms, step-by-step instructions, and plain-language explanations of Texas family law. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce covers the full process.
To find a licensed attorney in Plainview or Hale County, use the Texas State Bar referral service at texasbar.com. Legal aid programs serving the South Plains and Panhandle region may offer free help for people who qualify based on income.
Cities in Hale County
Plainview is the county seat and largest city in Hale County. All divorce cases in the county are filed at the District Court in Plainview. No cities in Hale County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.
Nearby Counties
Hale County is in the Texas Panhandle, south of Lubbock. These neighboring counties are in the same region:
Lubbock County | Floyd County | Swisher County | Lamb County | Castro County