Fort Worth Dissolution Of Marriage
Fort Worth dissolution of marriage records are held by the Tarrant County District Clerk's office. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a Final Decree, or confirm the status of a pending case, the Tarrant County District Clerk is where you start. Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County and the fifth largest city in Texas. The District Clerk manages all dissolution of marriage filings for Fort Worth and the entire county. You can access case information online through the Tarrant County portal, by calling the clerk's office, or by visiting in person at 100 N. Calhoun Street in downtown Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Overview
Tarrant County District Clerk - Fort Worth
Fort Worth residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Tarrant County District Court. Tarrant County has 27 district courts that hear civil, family, and criminal cases. The District Clerk manages all records and business operations for these courts. The family law courts handle all dissolution of marriage cases filed by Fort Worth residents and others throughout the county.
Tarrant County serves over 2.1 million residents. The county covers Fort Worth and surrounding communities including Arlington, Mansfield, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, and Grand Prairie. If you or your spouse lives in Tarrant County, this is the court system where you file. The District Clerk's website provides online access to case information and court document lookup tools.
| Office | Tarrant County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Calhoun Street Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1574 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcounty.com/en/district-clerk |
The Tarrant County Courthouse is in downtown Fort Worth. You will need a valid photo ID when visiting. Staff can look up cases, provide copies, and guide you through the filing process. The District Clerk also handles e-filing through eFile Texas for attorneys and self-represented filers.
Tarrant County also has subcourthouse locations. The Arlington Subcourthouse is at 700 E. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010. The Mansfield Subcourthouse is at 1100 E. Broad Street, Suite 102, Mansfield, TX 76063. These offer some county services but dissolution filings are processed at the main Fort Worth courthouse.
The Tarrant County government website provides access to the District Clerk's portal, case search tools, and information on dissolution of marriage filings in Fort Worth and throughout Tarrant County.
Tarrant County operates 27 district courts that handle family law cases including dissolution of marriage, custody, and child support matters for Fort Worth residents.
Search Fort Worth Dissolution Records
The Tarrant County District Clerk offers online access to case records. You can search by party name or cause number through the clerk's website at tarrantcounty.com. The system shows party names, case type, court assignment, and docket events. This is the fastest way to locate a dissolution case before requesting copies.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Tarrant County courts. Search by name or cause number to find case status and event history. For full documents or certified copies of decrees, contact the District Clerk at (817) 884-1574. Certified copies require a fee of $1 per page plus $5 for certification. Staff can also pull case files for in-person review during business hours.
To search, have the full name of at least one party ready. Knowing the approximate year the case was filed helps narrow results. If you have the cause number, the search is much faster. Staff at the courthouse can assist if you need help finding a case.
The City of Fort Worth website confirms that municipal courts handle city code and traffic matters only, and all dissolution of marriage filings are handled by Tarrant County District Court.
Fort Worth Municipal Court does not process divorce or dissolution cases. Residents must file with the Tarrant County District Clerk at 100 N. Calhoun Street in downtown Fort Worth.
Filing for Dissolution in Fort Worth
Dissolution of marriage in Fort Worth is governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The case is filed at Tarrant County District Court. The District Clerk assigns a cause number, and all documents filed become part of the public record.
You must meet the residency requirement 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 90 days before the petition can be filed. If you or your spouse moved to Fort Worth recently, wait until the 90-day county residency is met.
Most Fort Worth filers use no-fault grounds. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.001, "insupportability" is grounds for dissolution when the marriage has become unworkable due to conflict or discord. No proof of wrongdoing is needed. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, or living apart for three years are also available under Texas law.
Filing starts with the 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, an agreed decree can be submitted together. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before the judge can sign a Final Decree of Dissolution. Tarrant County courts accept e-filing through eFile Texas.
Tarrant County has a family law information center at the courthouse that offers guidance for self-represented filers. Staff can point you to forms and answer general questions, though they cannot give legal advice.
re:SearchTX - Online Case Access
The re:SearchTX portal is a free public case search system run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers Texas courts using the Odyssey case management system, which includes Tarrant County. You can search dissolution cases by name or cause number without creating an account.
Results show the cause number, party names, filing date, assigned court, and a log of docket events. The portal is useful for tracking the status of an active case or confirming that a case was filed. For certified copies or full document access, contact the Tarrant County District Clerk at (817) 884-1574. The clerk can also tell you the total fee for the copies you need.
DSHS Divorce Verification
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics maintains divorce verification records from 1968 to the present. A verification confirms the names, county, and date of a dissolution granted in Texas. It is not the same as a full decree but serves as proof that the divorce occurred.
Order a verification at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/marriage-divorce-records. The fee is $20 per search. You can also order through the Texas.gov portal at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. If you need the actual Final Decree or full case file, contact the Tarrant County District Clerk.
Legal Help in Fort Worth
Fort Worth residents can get help with dissolution of marriage from several organizations. Legal aid, referral services, and self-help resources are available.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Tarrant County. Call (800) 733-8394 or go to lonestarlegal.org to check eligibility. The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service at (800) 252-9690 and maintains an attorney directory at texasbar.com. Tarrant County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral program for local residents.
For self-help resources, go to texaslawhelp.org for step-by-step guides and forms. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. Plain-language guidance is available at texascourthelp.gov. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov offers free legal research resources.
Tarrant County Dissolution Records
Fort Worth is in Tarrant County. All dissolution of marriage cases go through the Tarrant County District Court. For full details on the court system, clerk contact information, fees, and online record access throughout Tarrant County, see the county records page.
Nearby Texas Cities
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