King County Dissolution of Marriage Records

King County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the District Clerk in Guthrie. King County is one of the least populated counties in all of Texas, located in the rolling plains of West Texas. If you need to search for a divorce filing or get copies of court documents, the District Clerk in Guthrie is the official source. Records in King County go back to 1891.

King County District Clerk

The King County District Clerk in Guthrie handles all court records for the county, including dissolution of marriage filings. King County is one of the smallest counties by population in the entire United States, so the clerk's office operates on a small scale. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is strongly recommended to call ahead before traveling to Guthrie, as this is a very remote location.

The clerk at (806) 596-4412 can search records by party name or cause number and help you figure out what documents are available. For residents of King County, all dissolution cases must be filed here. Even though the county is small, it follows the same Texas Family Code rules as every other county in the state.

The King County official website provides contact information for the District Clerk and other county offices serving the small population of this remote West Texas county.

This screenshot shows the King County official web portal, where you can find county office contact details including information on dissolution of marriage records.

Searching King County Dissolution Records

Given how remote King County is, the most practical approach is to call the District Clerk at (806) 596-4412. Staff can search for dissolution records by party name or cause number. The statewide re:SearchTX portal may also have King County case data. Try it first as a free starting point, then follow up by phone if you need documents or more detail.

If you need to visit the courthouse in person, it is at 800 S. Baker St. in Guthrie. Bring a full name or cause number. You can request plain or certified copies of case documents. Certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge. A mail-in request is often the most practical option for this remote location. The clerk can walk you through the mail request process when you call.

For statewide divorce verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office keeps an index of divorces since 1968. A $20 verification letter can confirm that a divorce was filed in Texas and tell you which county holds the record.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in King County

Filing a dissolution case in King County requires meeting the residency rule in Texas Family Code Section 6.301: at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in King County for 90 days before filing. Once you meet that, you file an Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk in Guthrie. Because the office is very small and remote, calling ahead to confirm current procedures and fees makes sense before you make the trip.

Texas allows divorce on no-fault grounds under Section 6.001. The ground is insupportability, meaning the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no prospect of getting better. Fault grounds including cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction are also available. The same rules apply in King County as anywhere else in Texas.

A 60-day waiting period begins on the filing date under Section 6.702. The court cannot grant the divorce before those 60 days pass. The only exception is for cases involving family violence. After the waiting period, an agreed case can move to a final hearing. Contested matters may need mediation or trial.

Community property rules apply. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides marital property in a just and right way. Each spouse keeps separate property, which includes pre-marital assets and gifts or inheritances received during the marriage.

What King County Dissolution Records Contain

Dissolution records at the King County District Clerk include all documents filed in a case. The Original Petition starts the file. The record grows to include the citation, temporary orders if any, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, and finally the signed Final Decree of Divorce. The Final Decree states when the marriage ends, how property is divided, and what custody and support terms apply if children are involved.

Certified copies of the Final Decree are needed for official purposes after a divorce. Most dissolution records are public. Sealed financial documents and records concerning children may have restricted access under Texas law. Contact the clerk if you have questions about a specific document.

Filing Fees in King County

King County charges fees for filing a dissolution case. These include a base filing fee plus state-mandated charges. Call the District Clerk at (806) 596-4412 to confirm current amounts. If you cannot afford court costs, you may request a fee waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Forms are at txcourts.gov/forms.

Legal Resources for King County Residents

Lone Star Legal Aid provides free or low-cost legal assistance to qualifying residents in West Texas, including King County. Check eligibility at lonestarlegal.org. For self-help guidance, texaslawhelp.org has divorce guides and approved forms. The Texas State Law Library offers free legal research tools. To find a lawyer, use the State Bar of Texas referral service at texasbar.com or call (800) 252-9690.

Cities in King County

King County is one of the smallest and most remote counties in Texas. Guthrie is the only community in the county. All dissolution of marriage filings go through the District Court in Guthrie.

Nearby Counties

King County is in West Texas, bordered by several other rural counties. Make sure you file in the county where you have lived for at least 90 days.