Howard County Divorce Decree Search
Howard County divorce decrees are maintained by the District Clerk in Big Spring, Texas. The office holds all civil court records for this West Texas county, including divorce petitions, case files, and final decrees. If you need to look up a divorce case or get a certified copy of a decree, the District Clerk is the right place to start. Online access is limited, so most requests are handled by phone or in person at the courthouse in Big Spring.
Howard County Overview
Howard County District Clerk
The Howard County District Clerk handles all civil court records for the county, including divorce filings and final decrees. The office is in Big Spring, the county seat. Howard County is in the Permian Basin area of West Texas, and the county seat of Big Spring sits along I-20 between Abilene and Midland.
Staff can look up cases by party name or cause number. If you need a copy of a divorce decree, call the clerk at (432) 264-2223 first to ask about the fee and what you need to bring. For in-person visits, bring a photo ID and the full legal name of one party to the case. Certified copies of the final decree carry the clerk's stamp and cost more per page than plain copies.
| Office | Howard County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Howard County Courthouse 300 Main St. Big Spring, TX 79720 |
| Phone | (432) 264-2223 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.howard.tx.us |
Finding Howard County Divorce Records
The most direct way to find a divorce case in Howard County is to call the District Clerk at (432) 264-2223. Provide the full legal name of at least one party and the approximate year the case was filed. The staff can search by name or cause number and tell you what documents are on file.
The re:SearchTX statewide portal is also worth checking. This free search tool covers many Texas courts and may show Howard County case data. Results may be limited for some older filings, but it is a useful first step. If you do not get results there, call the clerk directly.
In-person visits allow you to view the full case file. Go to the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring. The clerk can make plain copies and certified copies. Certified copies are required for legal purposes. You can also submit a written request by mail if visiting is not practical. Call first to get the current fee schedule and the mailing address for records requests.
Filing Divorce in Howard County
To file for divorce in Howard County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Howard County for at least 90 days. This is required by Texas Family Code § 6.301. Once you meet that standard, you file the Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk in Big Spring.
Texas allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001. The most used ground is insupportability, which means the marriage has broken down because of irreconcilable conflict. No one has to prove fault. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment are still available for those who want to pursue them.
A mandatory 60-day waiting period applies after filing under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot finalize the divorce before those 60 days end. Once they do, an agreed divorce can be wrapped up quickly. Disputes over property or children extend the timeline considerably.
Note: Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides community property in a manner it finds just and right. Separate property owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is generally not subject to division.
Howard County Divorce Decree Contents
The Final Decree of Divorce is the key court document in any completed divorce. It contains the names of both spouses, the end date of the marriage, and all terms agreed to or ordered by the court. Property division, debt allocation, and any spousal maintenance are all spelled out in the decree. For cases involving children, the decree sets conservatorship terms, a possession schedule, and child support under Texas Family Code Chapter 154.
The case file at the District Clerk also contains the original petition, proof of service, any temporary orders, and financial affidavits. Most of this is public record. Some financial exhibits may be restricted. Contact the clerk at (432) 264-2223 to ask about access to a particular case file before making the trip to the courthouse.
The Texas State Records site provides general information on accessing divorce records in Howard County and across the state.
For certified copies of a Howard County divorce decree, contact the District Clerk in Big Spring directly rather than a third-party records site.
Legal Help in Howard County
If you need a family law attorney for a divorce in Howard County, the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service can connect you with a licensed attorney in the West Texas area. Call the State Bar at (800) 252-9690.
Free guides and court forms are available at TexasLawHelp.org. For agreed divorces, many people handle the case themselves using these resources. Official forms are also at txcourts.gov. Low-income filers may qualify for a fee waiver by submitting the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with the District Clerk.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County's main community is Big Spring, the county seat. No city in Howard County meets the 100,000-population threshold for a separate city page on this site. All divorce cases for Howard County residents are filed with the District Court in Big Spring.
Nearby Counties
Howard County is in the Permian Basin area of West Texas. You file in the county where you have lived for the past 90 days. Check your home address to confirm you are in Howard County before filing.
Neighboring counties include Mitchell County, Scurry County, Dawson County, Martin County, Midland County, and Glasscock County.