Hale County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Hale County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the District Clerk's office in Plainview. You can search for cases online through the statewide re:SearchTX portal or visit the courthouse in person to request copies. The District Clerk keeps all case files from the initial petition through the final decree, and staff can help you find a case by name or cause number. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree or just want to confirm a case was filed, the District Clerk is your starting point for any dissolution of marriage record in Hale County.
Hale County Overview
Hale County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Hale County is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage case files. The office is in the Hale County Courthouse in Plainview. Staff accept in-person requests, written mail requests, and can search cases by party name or cause number. All filings from the original petition through the signed final decree are stored here.
Hale County is a West Texas county in the Texas Panhandle region. The 64th Judicial District Court handles family law matters, including dissolution of marriage cases. If you or your spouse lives in Hale County and meets the residency requirements under Texas law, you file your petition at this office. The courthouse has served the area since the county's organization in 1876, and historical dissolution records go back that far as well.
| Office | Hale County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
500 Broadway, Rm. 120 Plainview, TX 79072 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 188, Plainview, TX 79073 |
| Phone | (806) 291-5234 |
| Fax | (806) 296-6125 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The county website at co.hale.tx.us may have additional contact and service information for the District Clerk's office. Always call ahead to confirm current hours before making an in-person trip.
How to Find Hale County Dissolution Records
There are two main ways to access dissolution of marriage records in Hale County. You can search online or go to the courthouse. Online searches are good for checking if a case exists and finding basic case information. In-person visits let you review the full file and request certified copies on the spot.
For online access, use the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This system lets you search by party name or cause number. It shows case events, docket entries, and sometimes documents. Access to full documents may require a fee or account registration depending on the document type. The portal covers many Texas counties and is a good first step for any statewide search.
To search in person, visit the District Clerk at 500 Broadway in Plainview. Bring the name of one or both parties and an approximate filing year if you have it. Staff can look up the case and tell you what documents are in the file. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. Bring a valid photo ID.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the mailing address at P.O. Box 188, Plainview, TX 79073. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year filed, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for copy fees. Processing times vary, so call ahead if you need records quickly.
re:SearchTX for Hale County Cases
The Texas Office of Court Administration runs the re:SearchTX portal, which provides access to court records across the state. You can use it to look up Hale County dissolution of marriage filings. The system lets you search by party name, cause number, or date range. Results include party names, filing dates, case status, and hearing information.
The portal is free to search, but document downloads may require a fee. It is a good way to verify whether a case exists before contacting the District Clerk. For certified copies or official records, you still need to go through the District Clerk's office directly.
The Texas courts also offer eFile Texas for electronic filing of new cases. Attorneys must use e-filing for civil cases in Texas. Parties representing themselves can also use the e-filing system. The District Clerk's office can answer questions about e-filing requirements for Hale County.
Note: re:SearchTX is the official statewide portal. Results depend on how much data each county has uploaded, so some older cases may not appear online.
The screenshot below shows the re:SearchTX portal, which is the main tool for searching dissolution of marriage records across Texas counties including Hale.
The re:SearchTX court records portal allows name-based and cause number searches for Hale County dissolution cases.
Use this portal to look up Hale County case filings before contacting the District Clerk for certified copies.
Texas Vital Statistics and Dissolution Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services keeps a statewide index of divorce and dissolution of marriage records. This is separate from the District Clerk's case file. The DSHS index is useful for confirming that a dissolution occurred and identifying the county where it was filed.
You can order a dissolution of marriage verification from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. The verification shows the names of the parties, the county where the case was filed, and the date it was granted. It does not include the full case details or a copy of the decree. For those, you need the District Clerk in the county where the case was filed.
The screenshot below shows the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics page where you can learn more about ordering dissolution verifications.
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records from counties across Texas including Hale.
The DSHS index is a good starting point when you are not sure which county handled a particular dissolution case.
Filing for Dissolution in Hale County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Hale County, you must meet the residency requirement under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Hale County for at least 90 days before filing. You file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office on Broadway in Plainview.
Texas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a judge can sign the final decree. This applies in most cases. Exceptions exist when there is a history of family violence. The waiting period is set by Texas Family Code Section 6.702. Most uncontested cases in smaller counties like Hale can move through the system fairly quickly once that period passes.
The basic steps to file:
- File the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office
- Pay the filing fee or submit a fee waiver if you cannot afford it
- Serve the other spouse with the petition and citation
- Wait out the 60-day waiting period
- Submit the Final Decree of Divorce for the judge's signature
Texas allows you to file without a lawyer. Free forms and guides are available at Texas Court Help and TexasLawHelp.org. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov also has research guides for family law matters.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
If you need help with a dissolution of marriage case in Hale County, several resources are available. Legal aid organizations serve lower-income residents and can sometimes provide free assistance with family law matters.
Lone Star Legal Aid covers a large portion of Texas and handles family law cases for qualifying individuals. Their website at lonestarlegal.org has information on services and eligibility. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for attorneys at texasbar.com.
For those filing without an attorney, the Texas Court Help website at texascourthelp.gov has step-by-step guides and official forms. The Texas courts forms page also has all standard dissolution forms. These resources are free and reliable.
Note: If children or significant property are involved, consider consulting an attorney before filing. Free consultations are often available.
Cities in Hale County
Hale County includes Plainview and several smaller communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of the county are filed at the District Clerk's office in Plainview regardless of which city you live in.
Plainview is the county seat and largest city in Hale County, with a population around 22,000. Other communities include Petersburg, Abernathy (shared with Lubbock County), and Cotton Center. None of these cities reach the threshold for a dedicated city page, but all residents file at the same District Clerk office in Plainview.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hale County. If you are not certain which county handles your case, check where you lived for the 90 days before filing. You must file in the county where you meet the residency requirement.