Red River County Divorce Records
Red River County divorce decree records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Clarksville, the county seat. Red River County is in Northeast Texas along the Oklahoma border, and the District Clerk handles all divorce filings and final decrees for the county's district courts. Online access to records in this county is limited. Most requests go through the clerk's office by phone, mail, or an in-person visit to the Clarksville courthouse. This page covers how to find and get copies of Red River County divorce decree records.
Red River County Overview
Red River County District Clerk
The Red River County District Clerk in Clarksville maintains all court records for the county's district court, including every divorce case filed there. The office stores petitions, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and final decrees. Staff can search for cases and process copy requests for people who contact them by phone or in person.
Red River County does not have a public online search portal for district court records. Online access is listed as limited for this county, so you will need to contact the clerk directly or try the statewide re:SearchTX system. Coverage for smaller Northeast Texas counties on that portal can be incomplete, particularly for older cases. Calling the clerk at (903) 427-2401 is the fastest way to confirm whether a record exists.
| Office | Red River County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Red River County Courthouse 400 N. Walnut Street Clarksville, TX 75426 |
| Phone | (903) 427-2401 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.red-river.tx.us |
Searching Red River County Divorce Decrees
Call the Red River County District Clerk at (903) 427-2401 to search for a divorce record. Have the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was filed. The clerk will search the records index and tell you whether a case is on file, what documents are in it, and what copies cost. For a small county like Red River, this call is usually quick and the clerks are helpful.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is free and worth checking before you call. Search by party name or cause number. If the system has Red River County records indexed, you may be able to confirm the case and get the cause number without calling. That cause number will make any subsequent request to the clerk faster and more accurate.
Mail requests are accepted at the Clarksville courthouse. Address the letter to the Red River County District Clerk at 400 N. Walnut Street, Clarksville, TX 75426. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, the type of copy needed, and payment for estimated fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Mail requests can take longer than in-person visits, especially in smaller offices.
In-person visits work well if you are in the Northeast Texas area. The courthouse is in downtown Clarksville. Bring your ID and any information you have about the case. Staff can locate the record and make copies while you wait in most situations.
The Texas Family Code sets the rules that govern all Texas divorce cases, including those filed in Red River County, covering residency requirements, grounds for divorce, property division, and child-related orders.
Local court procedures at the Red River County courthouse follow these statewide statutes, though the clerk's office can tell you about any specific local requirements or practices.
Red River County Divorce Filing Fees
Divorce filing fees in Red River County are set by the District Clerk within the range allowed by Texas law. A standard case without children typically costs around $300. Cases that involve children require more filings and carry higher fees. The base filing fee includes several Texas-mandated surcharges. Call (903) 427-2401 before filing to confirm the current fee amount, which can change over time.
Copy fees are separate from filing fees. Non-certified copies are typically $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. If you don't have the cause number and the clerk must search by name, there may be an additional search fee. Get the full cost before sending any payment by mail to avoid delays.
Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income individuals. File the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with your petition. The court reviews your income, expenses, and assets to decide whether you qualify. The form is available at txcourts.gov.
Note: Confirm all fees with the Red River County District Clerk before submitting any payment. Fee schedules can change and the clerk can provide the most accurate and current amounts.
Divorce Filing in Red River County
Divorces filed in Red River County must meet Texas residency requirements. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Red River County for at least 90 days before the petition is filed. Red River County is in the far northeast corner of Texas, bordering Oklahoma to the north and the Red River to the north as well.
Texas allows divorce on no-fault grounds under Texas Family Code § 6.001. The insupportability ground means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no reasonable hope of reconciliation. This is the most commonly used ground in Texas. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction are also available and can be relevant when arguing for a more favorable property division.
After the petition is filed, a 60-day mandatory waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The divorce cannot be finalized before that time passes. The narrow exception is when a family violence protective order is in place. Once the waiting period ends and all issues are settled, the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, which is filed and kept by the District Clerk in Clarksville.
Property in Red River County divorces is divided under community property principles. Texas Family Code Chapter 7 calls for a just and right division of marital property. Assets acquired during the marriage are generally community property. Things owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritances are typically separate property and not subject to division.
What Red River County Divorce Records Include
A Final Decree of Divorce from Red River County is the court's official order ending the marriage. It names both spouses, states the grounds for the divorce, and sets out all the judge's rulings. The decree addresses property and debt division, and if children are involved, it covers conservatorship, the possession schedule, and child support. Any spousal maintenance award is included too.
The case file at the District Clerk's office may also include the Original Petition for Divorce, service of process records, any temporary orders from earlier in the case, financial affidavits, and the settlement agreement if the parties agreed on terms. Most of these are available to the public. Certain financial exhibits and records relating to minor children may have restricted access depending on any court orders sealing those documents.
Certified copies are needed for most legal uses after a divorce. They carry the court's seal and the clerk's signature. Banks, title companies, Social Security, the DMV, and other agencies require certified copies, not plain printouts. Non-certified copies are fine for your own records. The Red River County District Clerk provides both types for a per-page fee.
Legal Resources in Red River County
People in Red River County have access to free legal resources and attorney referral services even without a lot of local lawyers nearby.
TexasLawHelp.org is free and provides step-by-step guides and official Texas court forms for divorce. The site covers cases with and without children, and it is well suited for people who want to file on their own. All forms are approved by the Texas Supreme Court and can be printed or completed online.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Northeast Texas and provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents. Call (800) 733-8394 to check eligibility and ask about family law services in your area. The Texas Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a licensed attorney who practices in Northeast Texas. Official court forms are also available at txcourts.gov.
Cities in Red River County
Red River County is a rural county in Northeast Texas. Clarksville is the county seat and the largest community. Other areas include Bogata, Detroit, and Annona. None of the cities in Red River County meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All divorce cases in the county are filed at the District Clerk's office in Clarksville.
Nearby Counties
Red River County borders several Northeast Texas counties and Oklahoma to the north. Neighboring Texas counties include Bowie County to the east, Lamar County to the west, Titus County to the southwest, and Morris County to the south. Check your home address to confirm which county is the right one for your filing.