Carson County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Carson County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the District Clerk in Panhandle, the county seat in the Texas Panhandle. If you need to find a divorce case or get a copy of a final decree, contact the District Clerk's office at the Carson County Courthouse. Records date back to 1888. The 69th Judicial District serves this county for all family law matters.
Carson County Overview
Carson County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Carson County holds all dissolution of marriage records. The 69th Judicial District hears family law cases for the county. The courthouse is in the small town of Panhandle, northeast of Amarillo. Records have been maintained since the county's formation in 1888. This is a rural Panhandle county with limited staff, so calling ahead before visiting is strongly recommended.
Staff can search by party name or cause number. If you have a cause number, the process is fast. Without one, give the clerk both parties' full names and an approximate year. For older records, allow extra time as some may be stored in archives rather than the active filing system.
| Office | Carson County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Carson County Courthouse Panhandle, TX 79068 |
| Website | co.carson.tx.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (call to confirm) |
| District Court | 69th Judicial District |
Check co.carson.tx.us for the current phone number and any changes to office hours before visiting or mailing a request.
The Carson County official website provides contact information for the District Clerk's office where all dissolution records are maintained.
Searching Carson County Divorce Records
To find a dissolution of marriage record in Carson County, contact the District Clerk in Panhandle. In-person searches are the most reliable method for this small rural county. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. Staff will look up the case and tell you which documents are on file and how to get copies.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal may have case index information for Carson County. Try a party name search there first. Finding the cause number online before you visit saves time and avoids a search fee. Not all small counties participate fully, but it is worth checking.
Mail requests require a letter to the District Clerk with both parties' names, approximate year of divorce, cause number if known, return address, and a check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing.
Divorce Filing in Carson County
Filing for divorce in Carson County requires one spouse to have lived in Texas for six months and in Carson County for 90 days, per Texas Family Code § 6.301. You file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office in Panhandle.
Texas permits no-fault divorce under the ground of "insupportability" in Texas Family Code § 6.001. This means the marriage has broken down beyond repair with no realistic chance of reconciliation. Fault grounds are also available in the same chapter for situations involving cruelty, adultery, or abandonment.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before the divorce can be granted, per Texas Family Code § 6.702. Once the wait ends and the judge signs the Final Decree, the case is complete. Property division follows community property rules in Texas Family Code Chapter 7.
Fees for Carson County Records
Filing a divorce petition in Carson County costs approximately $300, with slight variation based on case type. The District Clerk can confirm the exact amount. Copies of records are $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee for certified copies per document. A $5.00 search fee may apply without a cause number.
If you cannot pay, request a fee waiver using a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Forms are available at txcourts.gov/forms. The judge decides whether to grant the waiver based on your financial situation.
What Carson County Dissolution Files Contain
A Carson County dissolution of marriage case file holds all documents from the original petition to the final decree. The file includes service papers, any temporary orders, financial disclosures, and settlement agreements. The Final Decree sets out property division under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, child conservatorship under Chapter 153, and spousal maintenance if any under Chapter 8.
Most divorce records in Carson County are public. Anyone can request copies. Some sensitive personal data may be redacted from documents provided to non-parties. Certified copies of the decree are needed for official uses like name changes or updating legal documents.
Legal Help in Carson County
The State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Panhandle area. Amarillo, just west of Carson County, has several family law practitioners who handle cases in surrounding counties.
Texas Law Help provides free guides and court forms for self-represented litigants. For income-qualified individuals, Lone Star Legal Aid at (800) 733-8394 may be available. Legal Aid of Northwest Texas at (888) 529-5277 also serves the Panhandle region. The Texas Court Help site has video guides explaining the process in plain language.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Carson County in the Texas Panhandle. File your case in the county where you live and have met the 90-day residency rule.