Mitchell County Divorce Records
Mitchell County divorce decrees are filed with and maintained by the District Clerk in Colorado City. If you need to search for a divorce case or obtain a copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, the District Clerk's office at the Mitchell County Courthouse is your starting point. Contact the office by phone at (915) 728-3481, visit in person, or submit a mail request. You can also check the statewide re:SearchTX portal for basic case information online.
Mitchell County Overview
Mitchell County District Clerk
The District Clerk is the official record keeper for all divorce cases filed in Mitchell County. The office holds all filings, orders, and the Final Decree of Divorce for each case. Colorado City serves as both the county seat and the location of the courthouse. The clerk can search by party name or cause number and can provide copies on request.
Mitchell County is served by the 32nd District Court. This court handles family law matters for the county, including divorce, custody, and support cases. Records at the clerk's office go back many years. Older archived records may require extra time to locate. Call ahead if you are looking for an older case.
| Office | Mitchell County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 349 Oak Street Colorado City, TX 79512 |
| Phone | (915) 728-3481 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.mitchell.tx.us |
Finding Mitchell County Divorce Decrees
The best way to find a divorce decree in Mitchell County is to call the District Clerk in Colorado City. Give them the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was filed. The clerk will check the index. If the case is there, you can request copies in person or by mail.
You can also search online using the statewide re:SearchTX system. Enter the name of one or both parties and filter by county to see if any matching cases appear. The online system shows basic case details like filing date and case type. For full file access, you need to go through the clerk's office.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request with both party names, the year of filing, your contact information, and a check for the copy fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the copies back to you after the search is complete.
Mitchell County Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees at the Mitchell County District Clerk follow Texas state standards. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Certified copies are needed for most legal purposes including name changes, property transfers, and updating accounts after a divorce.
Filing fees to open a divorce case in Mitchell County are around $300. The exact amount depends on the case type. Call the clerk to confirm current fees before filing. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs at the time of filing. Forms are at txcourts.gov.
Divorce Filing in Mitchell County
To file for divorce in Mitchell County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Mitchell County for 90 days before filing. This is the residency requirement under Texas Family Code § 6.301. Once that requirement is met, you file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office in Colorado City.
No-fault divorce on the ground of "insupportability" is recognized under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This is the most widely used ground in Texas divorces. It means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict with no real chance of recovery. Fault-based grounds like cruelty or abandonment are also available if they apply.
60-Day Waiting Period: Texas requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period between filing and the date the court can grant the divorce. See Texas Family Code § 6.702. Exceptions exist in family violence cases.
Community property rules under Texas Family Code Chapter 7 govern how marital assets are divided. The court splits what was acquired during the marriage in a just and right manner. Separate property, meaning what was owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, stays with the original owner. The Final Decree of Divorce puts all terms into a permanent court record.
All divorce filings in Texas, including Mitchell County, are done electronically through eFileTexas, the state's official e-filing portal for civil cases.
The Texas courts e-filing system is used for all new divorce filings in Mitchell County and allows attorneys and pro se filers to submit documents online.
What Mitchell County Divorce Records Contain
A Mitchell County divorce file holds all the documents from the case. The petition starts it. Other items added along the way may include the respondent's answer, motions, temporary orders, and any agreements reached by both parties. The Final Decree of Divorce is the most important document and is what closes the case.
The decree states all the terms the judge has ordered. This covers property and debt division, any spousal maintenance under Texas Family Code Chapter 8, and all orders for any children. Child support is set using the income guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154 if minor children are involved. Conservatorship and possession orders are also included when applicable.
Most Mitchell County divorce records are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to get copies. Some items may be sealed, such as financial source documents or records tied to protective orders. The clerk can tell you what is available for any specific case.
Legal Help in Mitchell County
TexasLawHelp is a free resource with plain-language guides on divorce law in Texas. The Texas Bar Association's referral service connects you with local attorneys. Call (800) 252-9690 or search online at texasbar.com.
West Texas legal aid programs may offer free or low-cost help for qualifying Mitchell County residents. The District Clerk's staff can point you to local resources. Official court forms are available at txcourts.gov.
Cities in Mitchell County
Mitchell County includes Colorado City and smaller communities such as Loraine and Westbrook. All divorce filings for residents of this county go through the Mitchell County District Court in Colorado City. No city in Mitchell County meets the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Mitchell County is in West Texas and is bordered by several nearby counties. If you are unsure which county holds a specific divorce record, check where the parties lived when the divorce was filed. Neighboring counties include Nolan County, Fisher County, Scurry County, Howard County, and Sterling County.