Search Arlington Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Arlington dissolution of marriage records are handled by the Tarrant County District Clerk's office in Fort Worth. Arlington is located in Tarrant County, and all dissolution of marriage filings for Arlington residents go through the Tarrant County District Court. If you need to find a dissolution case filed by an Arlington resident, search for case status, or get a certified copy of a Final Decree, contact the Tarrant County District Clerk at 100 N. Calhoun Street in Fort Worth. You can also search case records online through the Tarrant County portal or the statewide re:SearchTX system.
Arlington Overview
Which Court Handles Arlington Cases
Arlington is in Tarrant County. Dissolution of marriage cases for Arlington residents are filed at the Tarrant County District Court in Fort Worth. The Tarrant County District Clerk manages all case files, processes new filings, and provides records access for all 27 district courts in the county. Arlington has no separate divorce court of its own.
Tarrant County also has a subcourthouse in Arlington at 700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010. This location handles some county services, but dissolution filings and case records are maintained at the main Fort Worth courthouse. If you need to file a new case or get case copies, go to the main courthouse or call ahead to confirm what can be handled at the Arlington subcourthouse.
| Filing Office | Tarrant County District Clerk (Main Courthouse) |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 100 N. Calhoun Street Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Arlington Subcourthouse | 700 E. Abram Street Arlington, TX 76010 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1574 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcounty.com/en/district-clerk |
Arlington is the seventh largest city in Texas and one of the largest in Tarrant County. Despite its size, all family court matters including dissolution of marriage are handled through the Tarrant County District Court in Fort Worth. The clerk's office manages records for the full county and does not have a separate Arlington-only filing system.
The Tarrant County District Clerk's page provides contact details, court document lookup tools, and records access for all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Tarrant County including Arlington.
The Tarrant County District Clerk manages business operations for 27 district courts and serves as the official custodian of all dissolution filings, including those from Arlington residents.
How to Find Arlington Dissolution Cases
To search dissolution of marriage records for Arlington, use the Tarrant County District Clerk's online tools at tarrantcounty.com. You can search by party name or cause number. The system shows case type, court assignment, filing date, and docket events. This covers all Tarrant County dissolution cases including those filed by Arlington residents.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also works for Tarrant County cases. Enter the name of one party or a cause number to find case status, event history, and the assigned court. For certified copies of decrees or other case documents, contact the District Clerk at (817) 884-1574. Certified copies are $1 per page plus $5 for certification.
In-person searches are available at the main Fort Worth courthouse on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also request copies by mail. Send a written request with party names, approximate year, and your contact info to the clerk at 100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196.
Filing for Dissolution as an Arlington Resident
Arlington residents file for dissolution of marriage under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The case is filed at the Tarrant County District Court in Fort Worth. The clerk assigns a cause number, and all documents become part of the public record.
Residency is required before filing. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Tarrant County for at least 90 days before filing. Arlington is in Tarrant County, so Arlington residency counts toward the county requirement.
Most filers use the no-fault ground of "insupportability" under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no reasonable chance of reconciliation. No one needs to prove the other spouse did anything wrong. Fault grounds are also available if you choose to pursue them.
The process starts with filing an Original Petition for Divorce. The other party must be served with citation or sign a Waiver of Service. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can move forward as an agreed dissolution. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before the judge can sign the Final Decree. E-filing is available through eFile Texas.
If children are involved, the decree must include a conservatorship order and parenting plan. Both parents may be required to attend a parenting class in Tarrant County.
re:SearchTX and Online Case Access
The re:SearchTX portal is a free statewide case search tool run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. For Arlington dissolution cases, the system searches Tarrant County court records by name or cause number. Results include case type, filing date, court assignment, and a list of docket events.
You do not need an account for basic searches. The portal is a useful first step for identifying a cause number or checking case status before contacting the clerk for copies. For certified documents, call the Tarrant County District Clerk at (817) 884-1574 or visit the main courthouse in Fort Worth.
DSHS Divorce Verification Records
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics maintains divorce verification records from 1968 to the present. These are available for all Texas counties including Tarrant. A verification confirms the names of the parties, the county, and the date of dissolution. It is not the full decree but works as official proof that the divorce occurred in Texas.
Order a verification at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/marriage-divorce-records. The fee is $20 per search. You can also order through ovra.txapps.texas.gov. For the full decree or case file, contact the Tarrant County District Clerk.
Legal Aid for Arlington Residents
Arlington residents facing dissolution of marriage can access several legal aid and self-help resources in Tarrant County. Some organizations provide free services to those who qualify based on income.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Tarrant County including Arlington. Call (800) 733-8394 or go to lonestarlegal.org. Tarrant County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program. The State Bar of Texas referral line is (800) 252-9690, and the attorney directory is at texasbar.com.
For self-help forms and guides, go to texaslawhelp.org. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. Plain-language guides are at texascourthelp.gov. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov provides free legal research tools.
The Tarrant County Clerk's website provides contact information for the county's subcourthouse locations, including the Arlington Subcourthouse at 700 E. Abram Street.
While the Arlington Subcourthouse offers some Tarrant County services, dissolution of marriage filings and case records are maintained at the main Tarrant County Courthouse in Fort Worth.
Tarrant County Dissolution Records
Arlington is in Tarrant County. All dissolution of marriage cases for Arlington residents go through the Tarrant County District Court in Fort Worth. For more on the county system, records access, fees, and court contact details, visit the Tarrant County dissolution records page.
Nearby Texas Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities with dissolution records near Arlington:
- Fort Worth - Tarrant County District Clerk, about 20 miles west
- Dallas - Dallas County District Clerk, about 20 miles east
- Irving - Dallas County District Clerk, about 15 miles northeast
- Garland - Dallas County District Clerk, about 30 miles northeast
- Plano - Collin County District Clerk, about 35 miles northeast