Hall County Divorce Decree Records
Hall County divorce decree records are kept at the District Clerk's office in Memphis. The clerk maintains all divorce case files for this small Panhandle county and handles requests for certified copies and case lookups. Online search is not available for Hall County, so all requests go through the clerk's office directly. If you need to find a divorce record or get a certified copy of a final decree from Hall County, this page walks you through the process and the applicable Texas laws.
Hall County Overview
Hall County District Clerk
The Hall County District Clerk's office in Memphis handles all court records for the county, including divorce filings and final decrees. In a small county like Hall, the clerk's office may serve multiple functions. Call ahead before visiting to make sure the office is open and staffed. The clerk can search records by party name or cause number and pull older paper files when needed.
Hall County is in the Texas Panhandle, in the Red River valley northeast of Lubbock. Memphis is the county seat and the main community in the county. The county is served by the 100th Judicial District. All divorce cases filed by Hall County residents go through the courthouse in Memphis.
| Office | Hall County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 512 W Main St Memphis, TX 79245 |
| Phone | (806) 259-2621 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.hall.tx.us |
Searching Hall County Divorce Records
Hall County does not have its own online case search system. The statewide re:SearchTX portal may have limited data for Hall County, but coverage for very small counties can be sparse. Your best option is to contact the District Clerk directly by calling (806) 259-2621.
When you call or visit, give the clerk the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the case was filed. A cause number helps if you have one. The clerk will look up the record and tell you what is in the file. For in-person visits, bring a photo ID. The courthouse is in Memphis on West Main Street.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk's office, describe the case, and include payment for copy fees. State clearly whether you need plain or certified copies. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents returned by mail. Make payment by check or money order payable to the Hall County District Clerk.
For statewide divorce verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit keeps an index of Texas divorces. They can provide a verification letter confirming a divorce occurred in Texas. This is faster than getting a copy of the decree and works for many official purposes.
Hall County Divorce Fees
Filing a divorce petition in Hall County costs around $300. The exact total depends on the case type and current fee schedule. Cases with children may cost a bit more. Always call ahead to confirm fees before you go to the courthouse. The clerk can give you current pricing when you call.
Certified copies of the final decree cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Payment is required before copies are released. Ask how many pages the decree has before you pay so you are not surprised by the total. The clerk will tell you what payment forms are accepted.
If you cannot pay, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the clerk for a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The form is also at txcourts.gov.
Hall County Divorce Filing Process
To file for divorce in Hall County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Hall County for at least 90 days. This residency rule is set by Texas Family Code § 6.301. Both spouses do not need to live in the county, just one. If you have been in Hall County long enough, you can file here.
Texas allows no-fault divorce. Under Texas Family Code § 6.001, insupportability is sufficient grounds for divorce. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no chance of fixing it. You do not have to prove anyone is at fault. Fault grounds like cruelty, abandonment, and adultery are also available when applicable.
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. After the waiting period, agreed cases can close quickly. Contested cases take longer and may require hearings or a trial before the judge.
Property is divided under Texas community property rules. Texas Family Code Chapter 7 requires a just and right division of marital property. This is not always an equal split. The judge looks at each spouse's situation before deciding how to divide assets and debts. Property owned before the marriage is usually kept separate.
What Hall County Divorce Records Contain
The divorce case file at the Hall County District Clerk starts with the Original Petition for Divorce. After that, every document filed in the case is part of the record. This includes citations and service documents, any temporary orders for support or property use, the other spouse's response if they filed one, and financial disclosures. The file ends when the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce.
The final decree is the most important document. It ends the marriage and sets all the terms. Property is divided, debts are assigned, and if the case involved children, the decree includes a conservatorship arrangement, a possession schedule, and a child support order. Support amounts follow the guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Certified copies are needed for name changes, account updates, and legal proof of divorce.
Most Hall County divorce records are public. You do not have to be a party to ask for copies. Some records may be sealed by court order or have restricted access due to information about children. The clerk will tell you what is available for any specific file.
The Texas Family Code sets the rules for all aspects of divorce in Hall County and across Texas.
Knowing the key statutes that apply to your case can help you understand what to expect and what to bring when you contact the Hall County District Clerk.
Legal Resources for Hall County
Self-help guides and forms for Texas divorce are free at texaslawhelp.org. This site is run by Texas legal aid groups and covers all aspects of divorce in plain language. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library also publishes a step-by-step divorce guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce.
To find a lawyer near Hall County, use the Texas State Bar referral service at texasbar.com. Legal aid programs that serve the Panhandle region may offer free or low-cost help to people who qualify based on income.
Cities in Hall County
Memphis is the county seat and only significant community in Hall County. All divorce cases filed in the county go through the District Court in Memphis. No cities in Hall County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.
Nearby Counties
Hall County is in the Texas Panhandle. These neighboring counties are in the same region:
Childress County | Briscoe County | Motley County | Donley County | Collingsworth County