Dissolution Of Marriage in Fannin County
Fannin County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the District Clerk in Bonham, Texas. This northeast Texas county handles dissolution filings through the 9th and 336th Judicial District Courts. If you need to find a dissolution case, request a certified copy of a decree, or look up the status of a filing, the Fannin County District Clerk in Bonham is the right place to start. Records are public and available in person or by mail.
Fannin County Overview
Fannin County District Clerk
The Fannin County District Clerk in Bonham maintains all dissolution of marriage records, court orders, and case files for both the 9th and 336th Judicial District Courts. This is the office you contact when you need to search for a dissolution case, request certified copies of decrees, or get information about a pending filing. Staff can search by party name or cause number.
Bonham is the county seat of Fannin County in northeast Texas, near the Oklahoma state line and not far from the Grayson County border. The county covers a largely rural area. The District Clerk's office at the Bonnham courthouse handles all family law filings from residents across the county. The 9th District Court is one of the older courts in Texas, giving Fannin County a deep record base going back well into the 1800s.
| Office | Fannin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Fannin County Courthouse Bonham, TX 75418 |
| District Courts | 9th and 336th Judicial District Courts |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Finding Fannin County Dissolution Records
You can access Fannin County dissolution records in person at the courthouse in Bonham, by mail, or by starting your search online through the re:SearchTX portal. Re:SearchTX is free, covers both Fannin County district courts, and lets you search by name or cause number. It is a good first step before contacting the clerk.
To request certified copies, contact the District Clerk directly. Certified copies of the Final Decree of Dissolution are the documents most commonly needed for legal and financial purposes, such as name changes, refinancing a mortgage, or updating beneficiary designations. The fee for certified copies includes a per-page charge plus the certification fee.
When requesting records, have the following ready:
- Full name of at least one party in the case
- Approximate year the dissolution was filed or granted
- Cause number, if known
- Valid photo ID for in-person visits
Plain copies of documents cost less than certified ones. If you just need to review what is in the file for personal use, a plain copy is usually sufficient. Ask the clerk about the cost difference before ordering.
Online Case Search for Fannin County
The re:SearchTX portal is the primary statewide tool for online case searches in Texas. It covers both the 9th and 336th District Courts in Fannin County. The system is free and does not require registration. You can look up cases by party name, cause number, or date range. Results include party names, case type, court assignment, filing date, and docket entries.
Re:SearchTX is operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration. Data is updated regularly. Newer cases usually appear within a few days of filing. If a case is older and was filed before the court moved to electronic records, the online data may be limited, but the cause number is typically available once you find the case name in the index.
Attorneys and self-represented parties file dissolution documents electronically in Fannin County through eFile Texas. E-filing is now standard in Texas courts. If you used eFile Texas to file, you can access your case information through re:SearchTX with the same login credentials.
The screenshot below shows the re:SearchTX portal used to search Fannin County dissolution records.
Access the re:SearchTX portal to search dissolution of marriage case records from Fannin County's 9th and 336th Judicial District Courts at no cost.
Re:SearchTX gives you free access to Fannin County dissolution case details and cause numbers before you contact the District Clerk in Bonham.
Vital Statistics Records for Fannin County
The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide dissolution index going back to 1968. If you need to confirm a dissolution occurred in Fannin County without having the full case details, you can order a record through dshs.texas.gov or at ovra.txapps.texas.gov.
DSHS dissolution records include the parties' names, the county of filing, and the date the dissolution was granted. They do not include property division, custody terms, or the full text of the decree. If you need those details, a certified copy from the Fannin County District Clerk is required. The DSHS record works as a confirmation tool for people who need to prove a dissolution occurred in Texas without the full court file.
Texas DSHS vital statistics records are a good way to confirm Fannin County dissolutions from 1968 forward when you lack the case number or full file details.
How to File Dissolution in Fannin County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Fannin County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Texas for six months and in Fannin County for 90 days before the petition is submitted. This residency rule is in Texas Family Code § 6.301. File the Original Petition for Dissolution with the Fannin County District Clerk in Bonham. The case is then assigned to either the 9th or 336th District Court.
Texas mandates a 60-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed before the dissolution can be granted. Under Texas Family Code § 6.702, no judge can sign a final decree before the 60 days are up. There are exceptions for cases involving family violence. After the wait, an agreed case can be finalized quickly if both parties are ready. Contested cases may require hearings or mediation.
Once the judge signs the Final Decree of Dissolution, the case is closed and the decree is filed with the District Clerk as a public record. The final decree covers property division, any custody or conservatorship arrangements if children are involved, child support if applicable, and any other court orders that are part of the agreement.
No-Fault Option: Texas allows "insupportability" as a ground for dissolution under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This no-fault ground means neither party needs to prove wrongdoing to end the marriage.
Legal Help for Fannin County Residents
Fannin County residents have access to several statewide legal resources. Texas Law Help at texaslawhelp.org is a free online resource with self-help guides, court forms, and plain-language explanations of the dissolution process. It is a good first resource if you are handling the case on your own.
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas serves northeast Texas including Fannin County for residents who meet income eligibility requirements. They handle family law matters including dissolution and custody. The State Bar of Texas referral service at (800) 252-9690 or texasbar.com can connect you with attorneys serving the Bonham area.
Texas Court Help at texascourthelp.gov guides self-represented filers through the process. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov/forms. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov provides free legal research access. Fee waivers are available for eligible filers through the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs.
The Texas State Law Library offers free online legal research tools and guides that are helpful for Fannin County residents working through a dissolution case.
Cities in Fannin County
Bonham is the county seat and largest city in Fannin County. All dissolution of marriage cases for Fannin County residents are filed at the District Clerk in Bonham.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Fannin County in northeast Texas. If you live near a county line, confirm your county of residence before filing.