Taylor County Divorce Records
Taylor County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the District Clerk at the Taylor County Courthouse in Abilene. The clerk's office maintains all family law case files, including divorce petitions, decrees, custody orders, and property settlements. Abilene is the county seat and the center of the West Texas region served by this court. If you need to search for a dissolution case or get a certified copy of a decree, the Taylor County District Clerk in downtown Abilene is where you start.
Taylor County Overview
Taylor County District Clerk
The Taylor County District Clerk's office is at the Taylor County Courthouse on Oak Street in Abilene. The clerk manages case files for all district courts in the county, including family law cases. Staff can search for dissolution of marriage cases by name, date, or case number and can produce copies on request.
Taylor County is in West Texas and covers Abilene along with surrounding communities. The county has multiple district courts to handle case volume, and the courthouse sits in downtown Abilene. Family law matters like divorce, custody, and child support all go through the district court here. The Taylor County Law Library is available for legal research as well.
| Office | Taylor County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Taylor County Courthouse, 300 Oak Street, Abilene, TX 79602 |
| Phone | (325) 674-1316 |
| County Website | taylorcountytexas.org |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Searching Taylor County Dissolution Records
Taylor County uses an Odyssey case management system for court records. This system lets you search by name, date, or case number and view records online. The Odyssey portal is free to access and gives you basic case information including party names, docket entries, and judgments.
You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to look up Taylor County cases. This free tool covers many Texas courts, including those using Odyssey. Search by party name or cause number. For certified copies, you need to contact the District Clerk directly or visit in person.
Fees for copies are straightforward. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. If the clerk must do a name-only search without a case number, a research fee may apply. The Taylor County Law Library at the courthouse is open for legal research. Residents can use it to understand the divorce process and find forms before filing.
Note: For older cases not in the online system, contact the clerk at (325) 674-1316. Staff can search older paper records going back many years.
Taylor County Dissolution Record Contents
Dissolution of marriage records in Taylor County include the full set of documents filed in the case. These records are public and can be requested by anyone. The most commonly requested document is the Final Decree of Divorce, which is the court order that ends the marriage.
A typical Taylor County dissolution case file contains:
- Case number and filing date
- Names and attorney information for both parties
- Court proceedings and orders
- Property division details
- Child custody and support orders
If children are involved, the case will also include a parenting plan, possession schedule, and child support calculation. Financial affidavits and property inventories may be in the file as well. Some financial source documents can be sealed by court order, limiting public access.
The Taylor County website at taylorcountytexas.org links to court resources and department contacts for dissolution of marriage matters.
Filing for Dissolution in Taylor County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Taylor County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Taylor County for at least 90 days before filing. This comes from Texas Family Code § 6.301. If you live in Abilene or anywhere else in the county, you file at the courthouse on Oak Street.
After filing, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before the court can grant the divorce. This rule is in Texas Family Code § 6.702. The clock starts on the day you file. Once the waiting period is over and both sides have resolved all issues, the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce. You can get certified copies of the decree from the clerk at any point after that.
The County Clerk's office also handles marriage licenses for Taylor County. Residents can apply for a marriage license online. Marriage certificates cost $12 and can be requested from the County Clerk at (325) 674-1200. Remember: marriage licenses come from the County Clerk, divorce records come from the District Clerk. These are two separate offices at the same courthouse.
re:SearchTX for Taylor County Cases
The statewide re:SearchTX portal provides free access to case records from participating Texas courts. Taylor County's Odyssey system connects with this statewide portal, so many Taylor County dissolution cases may be searchable online.
Search re:SearchTX by party name or case number. If you find the case there, you can see basic docket information and case status. For certified copies or the full file, contact the Taylor County District Clerk at (325) 674-1316.
DSHS Vital Statistics for Taylor County
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics holds statewide divorce data starting from 1968. If you need to verify that a dissolution of marriage took place in Taylor County or elsewhere in Texas, a DSHS verification letter costs $20 per copy.
Order at dshs.texas.gov or by calling 1-888-963-7111. For full certified court copies, contact the Taylor County District Clerk or visit the courthouse in Abilene.
Legal Resources in Taylor County
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas serves the Abilene area and offers free legal help to qualifying residents. Call (888) 529-5277 or visit lanwt.org. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. Search for family law attorneys near Abilene at texasbar.com.
The Taylor County Law Library at the courthouse is open for public legal research. Self-help divorce forms and guides are free at TexasLawHelp.org. Official Texas court forms are at txcourts.gov/forms. The Texas State Law Library online at sll.texas.gov has additional legal research tools. The Texas Court Help site at texascourthelp.gov has plain-language guides for filing dissolution cases in Texas.
Cities in Taylor County
Abilene is the county seat and largest city in Taylor County. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of this city go through the Taylor County District Court.
Other communities in Taylor County include Tye, Merkel, and Buffalo Gap. Residents of all Taylor County communities file dissolution cases at the courthouse in Abilene.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Taylor County in West Texas. Check your home address to confirm which county handles your dissolution filing.