Search Moore County Divorce Records

Moore County divorce decrees are maintained by the District Clerk in Dumas. The District Clerk holds all case files for dissolution of marriage cases filed in this Panhandle county. You can search by party name or cause number to find a case. For certified copies of a Final Decree of Divorce, contact the District Clerk's office at (806) 935-6164, visit in person in Dumas, or send a written mail request. The re:SearchTX portal also provides online case access.

Moore County District Clerk

The Moore County District Clerk in Dumas is the official custodian of all divorce records in the county. The clerk holds all filings from the start of each case through the Final Decree of Divorce. This office can search records by party name or cause number and provide certified copies on request. Moore County is in the Texas Panhandle, north of Amarillo.

Moore County is served by the 69th District Court. This court handles family law matters for the county including divorce, custody, and support. The county's online records are accessible through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. For certified copies or full file access, contact the District Clerk in Dumas.

How to Find Moore County Divorce Decrees

You can look up Moore County divorce records online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. Search by the name of one or both parties. The system shows basic case details including the filing date, case number, and current status. This is a useful first step before calling or visiting the clerk's office.

In person at the Dumas courthouse, staff can search by name or cause number and make copies right away. Bring a valid ID and the names of both spouses. If you have the approximate year of filing, that speeds up the search. The clerk can provide plain copies or certified copies depending on what you need.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written letter with both party names, the year of filing, your return address, and a check for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the clerk to send copies back. Allow extra time for mail processing.

Moore County Divorce Copy Fees

Copy fees follow the Texas standard. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Certified copies are what you need when the decree will be used for a legal purpose, such as changing your name at the Social Security Administration, updating a deed, or proving your marital status.

The filing fee to open a divorce case in Moore County is around $300. Exact fees can vary based on the type of case and what filings are included. Call the clerk at (806) 935-6164 to confirm the current fee before you file. Fee waivers are available through a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Forms are at txcourts.gov.

Filing for Divorce in Moore County

Filing for divorce in Moore County starts with meeting the Texas residency requirement. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Moore County for 90 days. Once that test is met, you file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office in Dumas.

Texas allows divorce on no-fault grounds. The most common is "insupportability" under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no real chance of recovery. Fault-based grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment are also available. A 60-day waiting period applies after filing under Texas Family Code § 6.702.

Property is divided under community property rules in Texas Family Code Chapter 7. The court divides marital assets and debts in a just and right manner. Separate property stays with the original owner. Once the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, it becomes a permanent court record on file with the Moore County District Clerk.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide index of Texas divorces from 1968 to the present and can issue a verification letter but not a copy of the decree itself.

For a certified copy of a Moore County divorce decree, contact the Moore County District Clerk in Dumas, not the DSHS Vital Statistics Unit.

Moore County Divorce Record Contents

A Moore County divorce file holds all documents filed during the case. The petition opens the file. Other filings may include the respondent's answer, temporary orders, property settlement agreements, and financial disclosures. The Final Decree of Divorce is the last document and sets all the terms of the divorce in writing.

The decree covers how property and debts are divided, whether spousal maintenance is owed under Texas Family Code Chapter 8, and all orders for any minor children. Child support is calculated under the guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Conservatorship and possession orders are also in the decree when children are involved.

Most Moore County divorce records are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to get copies. Ask the clerk what is available for the specific case you are requesting, as some documents may be sealed by court order.

Legal Resources for Moore County Residents

TexasLawHelp has free guides and forms for Texas divorce. The Texas Bar's referral service connects you with attorneys in the Panhandle area at (800) 252-9690 or at texasbar.com. Legal aid organizations in the Amarillo area may also serve Moore County residents who qualify based on income.

All official court forms are available at txcourts.gov. The District Clerk's staff in Dumas can explain filing procedures but cannot give legal advice. If you need legal advice, contact a licensed Texas attorney.

Cities in Moore County

Moore County includes Dumas, Stratford (which is in Sherman County), and smaller communities. All divorce filings for Moore County residents go through the Moore County District Court in Dumas. No city in Moore County meets the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Moore County is in the Texas Panhandle, north of Amarillo. If a divorce was filed in a different county, contact that county's District Clerk. Neighboring counties include Sherman County, Hansford County, Hutchinson County, Potter County, and Oldham County.