Odessa Dissolution Of Marriage Lookup
Dissolution of marriage cases for Odessa residents are filed and maintained at the Ector County District Clerk's office. Odessa is the county seat of Ector County, a major West Texas city in the Permian Basin region. The District Clerk keeps all divorce records for this area, including final decrees, petitions, and all related court filings. You can search for cases online through the statewide portal or go in person to the Ector County courthouse to get certified copies and view full case files.
Odessa Overview
Ector County District Clerk for Odessa Cases
Odessa is the county seat of Ector County, which means the District Clerk office is located right in the city. You don't have to drive to another town for records or to file. The courthouse is downtown on Grant Avenue. Ector County has six district courts including courts that handle family law matters.
The District Clerk manages all civil and family law records. For dissolution of marriage cases, the clerk's office processes filings, issues citations, records the final decree once the judge signs it, and handles copy requests. Staff can search for cases by name or cause number and make copies on the spot.
| Office | Ector County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Grant Ave., Room 111 Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Phone | (432) 498-4130 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.ector.tx.us |
The Ector County Courthouse is in downtown Odessa. Bring photo ID when visiting. There is parking near the courthouse. Call (432) 498-4130 in advance if you have questions about what to bring or how to request specific types of records.
Search Odessa Dissolution Records
The statewide re:SearchTX portal includes Ector County records. You can search by party name or case number. The portal is free to use after you create an account. Once logged in, you can look up dissolution cases and see case status, party names, and docket entries. Some documents are viewable online; others require an in-person visit.
For certified copies, visit or mail your request to the Ector County District Clerk. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and payment for copy fees. In-person requests are often fulfilled the same day. Mail requests take longer. If you don't have a case number, staff can search by name, though a small research fee may apply.
The City of Odessa at odessa-tx.gov handles city services. The city does not hold dissolution of marriage records. Those are kept at the county courthouse.
Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Odessa
Odessa residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Ector County District Court under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The process is the same as in other Texas counties. You file an Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk, serve the other party, and then wait for the case to be resolved either by agreement or court hearing.
To file in Ector County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Ector County for at least 90 days before filing. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 6.301. Texas uses a no-fault ground called "insupportability" under Section 6.001, which means you don't have to prove fault to get a divorce. Fault grounds are also available if relevant to your case.
After the petition is filed, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period before the final hearing. This applies in all counties statewide under Texas Family Code Section 6.702. Ector County family courts handle both agreed and contested dissolution cases. Agreed cases tend to move faster since both parties sign the decree. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial.
Ector County may impose local standing orders when a family law case is filed. These orders typically restrict both parties from disposing of property or taking children out of the county during the case. Ask the clerk for the local rules when you file.
Ector County Filing and Copy Fees
Filing fees in Ector County for dissolution of marriage are typically $300 to $350 without children and higher with children. Call (432) 498-4130 for the exact current amounts. Fees can change and vary by case type.
For copies, standard Texas rates apply. Non-certified copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 per certified document. Payment can typically be made by cash, check, or money order at the courthouse. If you cannot pay, you may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Forms are available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov/forms.
Online Records Through re:SearchTX
Ector County participates in the re:SearchTX system. After registering for a free account, you can search for Odessa dissolution cases in the statewide portal. The system shows case summaries, party names, and docket entries. Some filings are available to view online. You can also set up free alerts to get notified when new activity happens on a case.
Electronic filing through eFile Texas uses the same login. Attorneys must e-file in civil cases. Self-represented parties can also use the e-filing system. File-marked copies are returned by email when documents are accepted by the court.
DSHS Divorce Verification for Odessa Cases
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics section keeps a statewide divorce index from 1968 to present. For $20 per search, DSHS will confirm whether a divorce is on record and provide a verification letter. This is useful for legal or administrative purposes when you just need proof a divorce occurred.
DSHS does not issue certified decree copies. Those come from the Ector County District Clerk in Odessa. Order a DSHS verification at Texas.gov or by mail to the DSHS Vital Statistics office in Austin.
Self-Help and Legal Resources in Odessa
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas covers parts of West Texas including the Odessa area. Call (888) 529-5277 or visit lanwt.org for eligibility details. They handle family law matters for low-income clients.
TexasLawHelp.org has step-by-step guides for filing without a lawyer, free fillable forms, and live chat assistance. Texas Court Help offers videos in English and Spanish on the divorce process. All official forms are available at txcourts.gov. The State Bar of Texas referral line is (800) 252-9690 if you need help finding a family law attorney in the Odessa area.
The Texas State Law Library offers an online "Ask a Librarian" service. Librarians can help you find forms, statutes, and court rules. They don't give legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction.
About Odessa
The City of Odessa website covers city services, utilities, and local government information for residents.
City offices do not maintain dissolution of marriage records. Those are held exclusively by the Ector County District Clerk at the courthouse on Grant Avenue.
Ector County's official website at co.ector.tx.us has contact details for the District Clerk and information on court services.
The county site also links to online case access resources and provides information on court schedules for Ector County family courts.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Odessa with dissolution of marriage pages include:
- Midland (Midland County)
Ector County Dissolution Of Marriage
Odessa is the county seat of Ector County. All dissolution of marriage filings for this area go through the Ector County District Court. For full details on the county court system and record access options, visit the Ector County dissolution page.