Jones County Divorce Decree Records

Jones County divorce decree records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Anson, the county seat in central West Texas near Abilene. The county is part of the Taylor-Jones judicial area, and divorce cases go through the district court in Anson. Online search options are limited for Jones County, so most requests are handled in person or by mail. If you need a certified copy of a final decree or want to search for a divorce case filed here, the District Clerk's office is the right place to start. This page explains the process and what to expect.

Jones County District Clerk

The District Clerk in Anson holds all divorce records for Jones County. This office takes in new filings, stores case documents, and provides copies to the public on request. The 259th Judicial District Court covers Jones County and handles family law matters, including divorce, custody, and property division. Staff can search by name or cause number during regular business hours.

Jones County is a small county with a manageable caseload, which means the clerk's staff typically knows their files well and can help you locate records from older cases. Anson is about 25 miles north of Abilene, so residents of the Abilene metro who live in Jones County may find the drive reasonable for in-person visits.

For written requests, include both party names, the filing year if known, and your mailing address. Send payment by check or money order made out to the Jones County District Clerk. Call ahead to confirm the current copy fee before sending payment, as rates can change.

Searching Jones County Divorce Cases

Jones County has limited online access, so searching typically requires direct contact with the clerk's office. The statewide re:SearchTX portal may show basic case index information for Jones County cases. Check there first to see if the case appears and to get the cause number before calling the clerk.

For an in-person search at the Anson courthouse, bring a photo ID and whatever information you have about the case. Party names and a filing year are enough to get started. The clerk will pull the case from their index and let you know if it is in the active files or archived. Archived files may take additional time to retrieve, especially for older cases.

The Texas State Law Library provides guidance on finding court records at guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce. Their site explains the difference between certified and non-certified copies and when each is needed. If you just need to confirm a divorce happened, a DSHS verification letter from dshs.texas.gov/vs may be sufficient without ordering the full decree from the county.

Divorce Law and Filing Requirements

Texas law governs all divorces filed in Jones County. To file here, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Jones County for 90 days. This requirement comes from Texas Family Code section 6.301. If you recently moved to Jones County and have not yet hit 90 days, you will need to wait before filing or file in a county where you did live for 90 days.

Most divorces in Texas use the no-fault "insupportability" ground found in Texas Family Code section 6.001. You do not need to prove that anyone did anything wrong. You simply tell the court the marriage can no longer continue. For agreed divorces where both spouses have settled all issues, the process after filing can move quickly once the mandatory wait is over.

The mandatory waiting period under Texas Family Code section 6.702 is 60 days from the date you file. The judge cannot sign the Final Decree of Divorce until that window closes. Exceptions apply when family violence is involved. For cases with children, the court also must follow conservatorship and support guidelines from the Texas Family Code before signing the decree.

Fees and Copy Costs in Jones County

Filing a divorce petition in Jones County costs approximately $300 for a case without children. Cases involving children are slightly higher. The clerk can give you the exact fee schedule at the time you file. These amounts can change when the Texas Legislature updates the statutory surcharges that are added to base court costs.

Copies of existing divorce records cost about $1 per page. Certified copies carry a $5 certification fee per document in addition to the per-page rate. If you need the clerk to search for a case by name, a small search fee may apply for staff time. Confirm current rates with the clerk at (325) 823-3731 before sending payment.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. File the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at the courthouse or online at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The judge reviews your income and expenses and decides whether to grant the waiver. If granted, some or all fees may be reduced or eliminated.

What Is in a Jones County Divorce File

A divorce file in Jones County begins with the Original Petition for Divorce and grows as the case moves forward. The petition names both parties and states what the filing spouse is asking the court to do. A Citation is then issued to serve the other spouse, unless they sign a Waiver of Service. Both of these documents become part of the permanent record.

The Final Decree of Divorce is the key document. It is the judge's signed order that ends the marriage and spells out all terms. The decree covers property division, child conservatorship and possession schedules, child support under Texas Family Code Chapter 154, and any spousal maintenance. This is the document you will need for name changes, remarriage, mortgage applications, and other official purposes.

Other items that may be in the file include mediated settlement agreements, income withholding orders, temporary orders entered early in the case, and any agreed parenting plans. Financial documents filed during the case, such as tax returns or income affidavits, may be sealed. The clerk will tell you which documents are available to the public.

Legal Help in Jones County

West Texas Legal Services provides free or low-cost legal help to qualifying residents in central and west Texas, including Jones County. They handle family law cases and can help with divorce forms, custody, and support matters. The State Bar of Texas referral service at (800) 252-9690 can also connect you with a licensed attorney in the area.

For self-help resources, go to texaslawhelp.org. That site has free guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for filing an uncontested divorce in Texas. Official court forms are available at no cost from txcourts.gov/rules-forms. You can also search for a local attorney at texasbar.com.

Texas courts provide an electronic filing system through eFileTexas, which allows attorneys and pro se filers to submit documents to eligible courts without a trip to the courthouse.

eFileTexas is the state's online filing portal and may be available for Jones County filings. Check the portal to see if the 259th District Court accepts electronic submissions.

Cities in Jones County

Anson is the county seat and largest community in Jones County. Stamford is another notable town in the county. No cities in Jones County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All divorce cases for county residents go through the District Clerk in Anson.

Nearby Counties

Jones County is surrounded by Haskell, Stonewall, Kent, Garza, Scurry, Fisher, Shackelford, and Taylor counties. If you are not sure which county applies to your filing, use where you have lived for the past 90 days as your guide.

Taylor County | Haskell County | Shackelford County | Fisher County | Scurry County