Ector County Dissolution Of Marriage
Ector County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the District Clerk's office in Odessa. The county has six district courts handling civil and family cases. If you need to find a divorce case, request a certified copy of a decree, or understand how to file, the District Clerk in Odessa is the right starting point. Records go back many decades and are open to the public.
Ector County Overview
Ector County District Clerk
The Ector County District Clerk in Odessa is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records for the county. Ector County has six district courts: the 70th, 129th, 161st, 244th, 326th, and 385th Judicial Districts. Family and civil cases are assigned among these courts based on the docket. The clerk's office keeps all case files and provides certified copies of decrees.
The District Clerk's office is located in the Ector County Courthouse in downtown Odessa. You can search records in person or request copies by mail. Online searches are also possible through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. Odessa is a larger West Texas city, so the office handles more cases than smaller county clerks. Staff can help you find cases by name or cause number.
The official Ector County website at co.ector.tx.us has links to the District Clerk and other county departments. The District Clerk's office address is 300 N. Grant Ave., Room 111, Odessa, TX 79761. The phone number is (432) 498-4130.
| Office | Ector County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Grant Ave., Room 111 Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Phone | (432) 498-4130 |
| District Courts | 70th, 129th, 161st, 244th, 326th, 385th |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Ector County official website provides access to the District Clerk and other county offices in Odessa that handle dissolution of marriage filings.
Searching Ector County Dissolution Records
You can search for dissolution of marriage records in Ector County by visiting the courthouse in Odessa, submitting a mail request, or using the re:SearchTX online portal. All three options give you access to public case records. In person is best if you need documents quickly.
When you visit the District Clerk's office at 300 N. Grant Ave. in Odessa, bring your photo ID and the names of both parties. Having the cause number speeds up the search. The clerk can look up the case index by name if you don't have the number. Once found, copies are made and you pay at the counter. Certified copies need the clerk's signature and court seal.
Mail requests should go to the Ector County District Clerk at the address above. Include party names, the approximate date of the divorce, and a check or money order for fees. Plan for one to two weeks of processing time for mail requests.
The re:SearchTX portal is worth checking first. It shows case index data for many Texas counties including Ector. You can search by name or cause number and see docket entries and some document images. Free account registration is required. The same login works for eFile Texas.
Ector County court records are accessible through the District Clerk's office in Odessa, with some records also available through online search portals.
Filing for Divorce in Ector County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Ector County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Ector County for at least 90 days before filing. This rule is set by Texas Family Code Section 6.301. If neither spouse has been in the county for 90 days, you cannot file in Ector County yet.
The petitioner files the Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk at 300 N. Grant Ave. in Odessa. The case is assigned to one of the six district courts. The respondent gets served or signs a waiver. Texas imposes a 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 6.702. The court cannot sign the final decree until this period ends. An exception applies in domestic violence cases.
Agreed divorces where both spouses sign an agreed decree move faster after the waiting period. Contested cases may involve hearings before a judge. Texas community property rules apply to how marital assets are divided. The court splits property in a way it considers just and right. Separate property stays with the original owner. Cases with children also include conservatorship, possession schedules, and child support in the final decree.
Contents of Ector County Divorce Records
Ector County dissolution of marriage records include all documents in the case file. The Final Decree of Divorce is the central document. It names both parties, gives the date the marriage ended, describes how property was split, and lists any child-related orders. Most people requesting records want a certified copy of this decree to update legal or financial records.
A typical Ector County dissolution record shows:
- Full names of petitioner and respondent
- Cause number and court assignment
- Date the petition was filed and date the decree was signed
- Grounds for dissolution
- Community property and debt division
- Conservatorship and possession orders if children are involved
- Child support and spousal maintenance if ordered
Standard copy fees apply. Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $5.00 per document. A name search by the clerk costs $5.00 if you don't have the cause number. The Texas DSHS vital statistics office can verify divorces from 1968 forward for $20. Visit DSHS vital statistics for that service. A DSHS verification letter is separate from a certified decree from the District Clerk.
Online Records via re:SearchTX
The re:SearchTX portal gives online access to dissolution of marriage cases in Ector County. The system is operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search by party name, cause number, or filing date. Docket entries and some document images are available for participating courts. A free account is required to search.
For electronic filing, attorneys are required to use eFile Texas for civil cases including dissolution matters. Pro se parties can also use the system. Official court forms for uncontested divorces are available at txcourts.gov/forms. Forms cover basic situations but may not fit complex property or custody cases. A family law attorney can help if you have questions about your specific situation.
Texas Family Code Chapter 6 governs the grounds for dissolution of marriage and the filing requirements that apply in Ector County and across the state.
Legal Resources in Ector County
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas serves Ector County and the Permian Basin area. They provide free civil legal help to people with limited income, including family law matters like dissolution of marriage. Call (888) 529-5277 or visit lanwt.org to find out if you qualify and how to apply.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. You can find attorneys at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and approved court forms are at TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas Court Help website has step-by-step instructions on the dissolution process for people going it alone. The Texas State Law Library also offers free online legal research tools.
Cities in Ector County
Ector County includes the city of Odessa, one of the major cities in the Permian Basin. All dissolution of marriage cases in Ector County are filed with the District Clerk in Odessa.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or lie near Ector County in West Texas. File your dissolution case in the county where you have lived for at least 90 days.