Martin County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Martin County dissolution of marriage records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Stanton. The clerk handles all civil and family court filings for the county and maintains case files going back to 1884. If you need to search for a divorce case or request copies of documents, the District Clerk is where you go. You can reach the office by phone or mail, or stop in during regular business hours.
Martin County Overview
Martin County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Stanton keeps all dissolution of marriage records for Martin County. The office processes filings, maintains case files, and handles requests for copies of court documents. Staff can look up cases by party name or cause number. The courthouse is on Saint Peter Street in Stanton.
Martin County is in the Permian Basin of West Texas, sandwiched between Midland County to the south and Howard County to the north. The county is tied closely to the oil and gas industry. It is rural and small, but the District Clerk maintains a complete record of all court filings going back over 140 years. There is one district court serving the county for all civil and family matters.
| Office | Martin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 St. Peter St. Stanton, TX 79782 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1159, Stanton, TX 79782 |
| Phone | (432) 756-3414 |
| Fax | (432) 756-3464 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Martin County does not have a functioning county website at this time. For current information, call the District Clerk directly at the number above or write to the mailing address.
The Texas Courts system provides a statewide portal for accessing court records, including dissolution of marriage cases filed in Martin County and other Texas counties.
You can use the statewide Texas Courts FAQ resource for general guidance on how Texas district courts handle dissolution of marriage filings.
How to Search Martin County Dissolution Records
Martin County does not have its own public online case search tool. To find a dissolution of marriage record, contact the District Clerk by phone at (432) 756-3414 or send a written request by mail. You can also try the statewide re:SearchTX portal. That system covers many Texas district courts and lets you search by party name. Coverage varies by county, so results are not guaranteed, but it is worth a try before calling.
When contacting the clerk, have the full legal names of both spouses and an approximate year ready. A cause number speeds the search up considerably. Without one, the clerk will search by name. For common names, this may return several results that need to be sorted through.
For certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce, you either visit in person or send a written request by mail. The clerk will tell you the cost per page and the certification fee. Send a check or money order made out to the Martin County District Clerk. The clerk will not send documents until payment is received.
Filing a Divorce in Martin County
Dissolution of marriage filings in Martin County are governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 6. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Martin County for 90 days before filing. You file the Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk and pay the filing fee. The clerk assigns a cause number that is used to track the case from start to finish.
After filing, the other spouse must be served with the petition and citation. A constable, process server, or signed waiver from the other party handles this. Once service is complete, the mandatory 60-day waiting period begins. The court cannot sign a final decree before that period ends. If both parties agree on everything, an agreed decree can be submitted after the wait. Contested matters take longer and may need mediation or a court hearing.
Texas permits no-fault divorce under the ground of insupportability, described in Section 6.001 of the Family Code. This is the most common ground used. Fault-based grounds are also available. Property is divided under Texas Family Code Chapter 7 using community property rules. Child custody and support issues follow Chapter 153.
Tip: If you are not sure which county to file in, the rule is simple: file where you or your spouse has lived for at least 90 days. If that is Martin County, file here. If it is a neighboring county, file there.
What Martin County Divorce Case Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in Martin County includes everything filed from the day the case opened to the day it closed. The Original Petition for Divorce starts the file. Service documents, any temporary orders, financial disclosures, agreements between the parties, and any other papers filed during the case all get added. The Final Decree of Divorce is the document that ends the case and is signed by the judge.
The Final Decree is what most people come to the clerk for. It details how property is divided, whether any spousal maintenance was ordered, and in cases with children, the full custody and support arrangement. Certified copies of the decree are used for name changes, property transfers, updating financial records, and proving marital status.
Most Martin County divorce records are public. You don't have to be a party to the case to ask for copies. Certain financial documents may be sealed. Information about minor children may have restricted access in some files. The clerk can tell you what is open and what has been sealed in any case you ask about.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs in Martin County
Filing fees for a dissolution of marriage in Martin County follow state statutes. For a standard case without children, expect fees in the range of $225 to $300. Cases involving children run a bit higher. These amounts include required surcharges for court functions. Call (432) 756-3414 to confirm the exact current fee before you file.
Process server fees, copy fees, and certification charges add to the total cost. Certified copies of the Final Decree cost per page plus a flat certification fee. Plain copies are less. If you need multiple certified copies, plan for that cost ahead of time. Ask the clerk what forms of payment they accept when you call.
Low-income individuals may request a fee waiver. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This is a sworn statement about your financial situation. Forms are available at txcourts.gov. The judge reviews the request and decides whether to grant it.
Legal Resources for Martin County Residents
Legal aid services for Martin County residents are available through Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which serves West Texas. Check trla.org for eligibility requirements and contact details. Free legal help is income-based. Family law cases including divorce are within their scope of service. If you qualify, they may be able to help you file or review your paperwork.
The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service at (800) 252-9690 or online at texasbar.com. Attorneys from Midland or Odessa regularly handle cases in Martin County. Many offer free initial consultations for family law matters.
Self-help resources are available at no cost at texaslawhelp.org and texascourthelp.gov. These sites have forms, guides, and plain-language explanations of what to expect when filing for divorce in Texas. Official court forms are also posted at txcourts.gov.
Nearby Counties
Martin County sits in the Permian Basin between Midland and Howard counties. File in the county where you or your spouse has lived for at least 90 days.