Midland County Divorce Records
Midland County divorce decrees are held by the District Clerk's office in Midland. If you need to search for a divorce case or get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, the District Clerk is the right place to start. Midland County has online access through the statewide re:SearchTX portal and may also have its own county court search portal. For certified copies, contact the District Clerk directly or visit the courthouse in downtown Midland.
Midland County Overview
Midland County District Clerk
The Midland County District Clerk maintains all divorce records for cases filed in this county. The office handles dissolution of marriage filings, stores case files, and provides certified copies on request. Midland is one of the largest cities in West Texas, so the court system processes a significant number of divorce cases each year.
Midland County is served by multiple family district courts. This allows the county to handle a larger volume of cases than smaller single-court counties. All divorce filings go through the District Clerk at the Midland County Courthouse. Online access is available through re:SearchTX for basic case information.
| Office | Midland County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 N. Loraine St., Suite 200 Midland, TX 79701 |
| Phone | (432) 742-7777 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.midland.tx.us |
Searching Midland County Divorce Decrees
You can search Midland County divorce records online or in person. The statewide re:SearchTX portal is a good starting point. It lets you search by party name or cause number and shows basic case information. For full document access or certified copies, you need to go through the District Clerk.
In person, go to the Midland County Courthouse at 500 N. Loraine Street. Bring the full legal name of at least one spouse and an approximate year of filing. The clerk searches the index and can tell you quickly if the case is on file. Certified copies can be requested at the counter. Bring your ID and be ready to pay the copy fees when you pick up the documents.
Mail-in requests are also accepted. Write a letter with the names of both spouses, the approximate year of filing, your contact info, and a check for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can send the copies back to you. Processing times vary based on how busy the office is.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit at dshs.texas.gov can issue a divorce verification letter if you only need to confirm that a divorce was granted. They do not issue copies of decrees.
Midland County Divorce Fees
Midland County follows the standard Texas fee schedule for copies. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Certified copies are required for most legal uses such as changing a name with the Social Security Administration or updating property records.
Filing fees to open a divorce case in Midland County run around $310. The exact amount depends on whether children are involved and what additional requests or motions are filed. Constable service fees and other costs can add to the total. Call the District Clerk at (432) 742-7777 for current fee information.
If you cannot afford to pay, you may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Forms are at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your financial information before approving a waiver.
Divorce Filing Process in Midland County
Filing for divorce in Midland County starts with meeting the residency requirement. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Midland County for 90 days before filing. Once that is met, you take your Original Petition for Divorce to the District Clerk's office.
Texas allows no-fault divorce based on "insupportability" under Texas Family Code § 6.001. Most Midland County divorces use this ground. You just need to show that the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or breakdown. You do not have to prove the other person did something wrong. Fault-based grounds are also an option if they apply to your case.
60-Day Wait: Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be granted. This is required under Texas Family Code § 6.702. Some exceptions apply in family violence cases.
Community property rules govern how assets and debts are split. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides marital property in a just and right manner. Community property is generally what was acquired during the marriage. Each spouse's separate property stays with them. In contested cases, courts often order mediation before a trial.
The City of Midland is the county seat and home to the Midland County Courthouse where all divorce filings are processed by the District Clerk.
All Midland County divorce cases, including those from residents of the city of Midland, are filed with and maintained by the Midland County District Clerk.
Contents of Midland County Divorce Records
Divorce case files in Midland County contain all documents filed in that case. The Original Petition for Divorce opens the file. Temporary orders, discovery, agreements, and other filings are added as the case proceeds. The Final Decree of Divorce closes the file and is the document most people need for legal purposes.
The decree states all the terms of the divorce. This includes how property and debts are divided, whether spousal maintenance is ordered under Texas Family Code Chapter 8, and all arrangements for minor children. If children are involved, the decree contains a conservatorship order and a possession and access schedule. Child support amounts and payment methods are also included if applicable.
Most Midland County divorce records are public. Anyone can request copies. Some information may be sealed, especially financial source documents or records involving protective orders. The District Clerk can tell you what is available for any specific case.
Legal Help in Midland County
Midland County has several options for people who need help with a divorce case. The Texas Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 and online at texasbar.com. West Texas Legal Services may offer reduced-cost help for qualifying residents.
TexasLawHelp has free self-help guides and official court forms. This site is a good first stop if you want to understand the divorce process before you decide whether to hire a lawyer. Official forms are also posted at txcourts.gov. E-filing in Midland County is handled through the state system at efile.txcourts.gov.
Cities in Midland County
Midland County is dominated by the city of Midland, which is the county seat and by far the largest community in the county. All divorce filings for Midland residents go through the Midland County District Court.
Nearby Counties
Midland County is in West Texas and borders Ector County to the west, where Odessa is located. Other neighbors include Martin County, Andrews County, Glasscock County, and Ector County. If a divorce was filed in one of these nearby counties, contact their District Clerk for records.