Tarrant County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Tarrant County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the District Clerk in Fort Worth. The Family Law Center at 200 E. Weatherford Street is the main location for divorce records and new filings. Tarrant County is one of the largest counties in Texas with over 2 million residents, covering Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, and dozens of other communities. The District Clerk handles all dissolution case files, certified copies, and records requests for the county. You can search online, visit in person, or submit requests by email or mail.
Tarrant County Overview
Tarrant County District Clerk
District Clerk Thomas A. Wilder and the District Clerk's office manage business operations for 27 district courts in Tarrant County. These courts hear civil, family, and felony criminal cases. For dissolution of marriage records, the Family Law Division is the key contact. The clerk handles new filings, maintains all case files, and processes requests for copies of decrees and other court documents.
Tarrant County records go back to 1849 when the county was formed. The district courts here have an extensive archival collection and a historical preservation department. The clerk's office has multiple locations across the county, including the main courthouse, the Family Law Center, and the Tim Curry Justice Center. If you live anywhere in Tarrant County, from Fort Worth to Arlington to Hurst, your dissolution of marriage case files here.
| District Clerk | Thomas A. Wilder |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 100 N. Calhoun St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Main Phone | (817) 884-1574 |
| Family Law Center | 200 E. Weatherford Street, Third Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Family Records Phone | (817) 884-1265 |
| Family Records Email | TCDCRecords@tarrantcountytx.gov |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcountytx.gov/en/district-clerk.html |
Search Tarrant County Divorce Records
Tarrant County has full online access to court records. You can search for dissolution cases on the Tarrant County court records portal for free. The system lets you search by party name, case number, or date filed. You can view digital copies of court documents, track docket entries, and see scheduled hearing dates. Visit tarrantcountytx.gov to start your search.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another free option. This system covers many Texas courts, including Tarrant County. You can search by name or cause number. For advanced features, the clerk offers a Web Access Account subscription for frequent users.
To request records from Tarrant County, you need:
- Case number (without it, a $5 research fee applies)
- Names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- List of specific documents needed
You can submit requests in person at the Family Law Center or by email at TCDCRecords@tarrantcountytx.gov. Mail requests go to the main office or Family Law Center. In-person requests are processed the same day. Be aware that Tarrant County does not accept personal checks and does not ship via FedEx.
Tarrant County Court Locations
Tarrant County has several court locations that serve different parts of the county. For dissolution of marriage matters, the Family Law Center on Weatherford Street in Fort Worth is the main contact point. Civil and criminal matters have their own separate offices.
| Family Law Center | 200 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1114 |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 100 N. Calhoun St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1574 |
| Tim Curry Justice Center | 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1342 |
| Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts | 100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1240 |
Note: Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for in-person records research. Staff can help you navigate the system.
Tarrant County Dissolution Record Fees
Tarrant County has a clear fee schedule for dissolution of marriage records. Fees depend on the format and whether you need certification. These fees apply to copies of divorce petitions, decrees, orders, and other case documents.
| Non-Certified Paper Copies | $1.00 per page |
|---|---|
| Non-Certified Electronic Copies | $1.00 for 1-10 pages; $0.10 per page for 11 or more |
| Certified Paper Copies | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Certified Electronic Copies | $1.00 for 1-10 pages + $0.10 per page for 11+ + $5.00 certification |
| Search Fee (no case number) | $5.00 |
Payment can be made by cash, credit card, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive certified copies back by mail.
Dissolution Filing Process in Tarrant County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Tarrant County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Tarrant County for at least 90 days. This requirement comes from Texas Family Code § 6.301. Tarrant County covers Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, and many other communities, so if you live in any of these places, you file here.
The process starts when you file the Original Petition for Divorce at the Family Law Center. After filing, the other spouse must be served or sign a Waiver of Service. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before the divorce can be granted, per Texas Family Code § 6.702. Exceptions exist in family violence cases. Tarrant County uses mandatory criminal e-filing since 2018, and e-filing is also available for civil and family matters at efile.txcourts.gov.
Divorce records in Tarrant County can include a wide range of documents: the Original Petition, citation and return of service, temporary orders, financial affidavits, property inventories, child custody and support orders, QDROs, and the Final Decree of Divorce. Most of these are public records. The clerk also maintains the Dell Dehay Law Library and self-represented litigant resources at the courthouse.
The Tarrant County District Clerk's Family Law Division page at tarrantcountytx.gov lists current procedures, forms, and contact information for family court matters.
re:SearchTX and Online Access
Tarrant County is one of the Texas counties with full online court records access. You can search the county's own portal and also use the statewide re:SearchTX system. Both tools are free for basic case information.
re:SearchTX lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney and see docket entries, document lists, and hearing dates. For Tarrant County, you can often find case information and view digital copies through the county's own system as well.
DSHS Vital Statistics
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics holds statewide divorce data from 1968 forward. For many everyday purposes, such as confirming a divorce to an employer or insurance company, a DSHS verification letter is enough. It costs $20 per copy.
Order at dshs.texas.gov or call 1-888-963-7111. VitalChek is also an authorized partner for Tarrant County vital records, reachable at 866-579-9751.
Legal Resources in Tarrant County
Tarrant County has good legal resources for people going through dissolution. The Tarrant County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (817) 336-4101. Visit tarrantcountybar.com for more information. The State Bar of Texas referral line is (800) 252-9690.
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas provides free legal help to people with low income in the Fort Worth area. Call (888) 529-5277 or visit lanwt.org. The Domestic Relations Office at Tarrant County is reachable at (817) 884-1879 and handles enforcement of child support and custody orders. Self-help forms and guides are free at TexasLawHelp.org and on the courts website at txcourts.gov/forms. The Texas Court Help site at texascourthelp.gov has step-by-step guides for self-represented litigants.
Tarrant County Clerk
County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson handles marriage licenses and vital records in Tarrant County. The County Clerk is a different office from the District Clerk. If you need a marriage license or marriage certificate, contact the County Clerk. For dissolution records, go to the District Clerk.
| County Clerk | Mary Louise Nicholson |
|---|---|
| Main Office | Tarrant County Courthouse, 100 W. Weatherford St, Suite 130, Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1195 |
| Vital Records | (817) 884-1550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | tarrantcountytx.gov/en/county-clerk.html |
The County Clerk has multiple subcourthouse locations in Arlington, Mansfield, and Hurst to serve residents across the county.
Cities in Tarrant County
Tarrant County includes several large cities. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of these cities go through the Tarrant County District Court system.
Other communities in Tarrant County include North Richland Hills, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Watauga, and Haltom City. All dissolution cases go through the Tarrant County District Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Tarrant County. Grand Prairie and parts of other cities straddle county lines. Check your address if you are not sure which county handles your case.