Search Wichita County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Wichita County dissolution of marriage records are filed and kept at the District Clerk's office in Wichita Falls, Texas. The county seat is one of the larger cities in North Texas, and the district court handles a steady volume of family law cases each year. You can search records online or visit the courthouse to get copies. This page covers how to find Wichita County divorce records, what they contain, how to file, and what legal resources are available in the area.
Wichita County Overview
Wichita County District Clerk
The Wichita County District Clerk maintains all dissolution of marriage case files in the county. The office is at 900 7th Street, Room 303, in Wichita Falls. Staff process new filings, store documents, and handle records requests. If you need to search for a case or request a certified copy of a final decree, the District Clerk is the right office to contact.
Wichita County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. Wichita Falls is the county seat and the main population center. The county has multiple district courts to handle the volume of civil and family law cases. All dissolution of marriage cases for Wichita Falls and other communities in the county are filed at the courthouse on 7th Street downtown.
| Office | Wichita County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
900 7th Street, Room 303 Wichita Falls, TX 76301 |
| Phone | (940) 766-8190 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk is in Room 250 of the same building and can be reached at (940) 766-8100. The County Clerk handles marriage licenses and property records. For dissolution of marriage case files and certified decree copies, go to the District Clerk in Room 303.
Searching Wichita County Divorce Records
You can search Wichita County dissolution of marriage records online using the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This free tool from the Texas Office of Court Administration lets you search by party name or cause number. It shows basic case data, docket entries, and filing dates. It is a good starting point before calling or visiting the courthouse.
In-person searches at the courthouse on 7th Street in Wichita Falls give you direct access to the full case file. Bring the name of one or both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus the copy fee. If you do not have a cause number, a search fee may apply. Call (940) 766-8190 before you go to confirm current procedures and fees.
Mail requests are also an option. Send your written request with payment and a self-addressed return envelope to the District Clerk at 900 7th Street, Room 303, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Include as much case information as you have to make the search easier for staff.
For a quick proof of divorce, you can order a divorce verification letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services at dshs.texas.gov. The fee is $20.00. Records go back to 1968. You can order online, by mail, or in person at the DSHS Austin office.
Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Wichita County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Wichita County, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirements set out in Texas Family Code Chapter 6. One spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Wichita County for at least 90 days. The filing is done at the District Clerk's office at 900 7th Street in Wichita Falls.
You start by filing the Original Petition for Divorce and paying the required filing fee. After that, the other spouse must be served with the petition and citation or sign a Waiver of Service. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code section 6.702. The judge cannot sign the final decree until 60 days have passed from the filing date. Agreed cases and contested cases both go through this waiting period. Family violence cases are an exception.
Most Wichita County divorces are filed on no-fault grounds under the insupportability standard in Texas Family Code section 6.001. You state that the marriage cannot continue due to conflict and there is no real chance of fixing it. No proof of wrongdoing is required. Texas also allows fault-based divorce on grounds like cruelty, adultery, abandonment, or felony conviction.
Property division follows community property rules under Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Community property is generally anything acquired during the marriage. The court divides it in a just and right manner. Separate property, including what each spouse owned before the marriage or received as gifts and inheritances, is generally not divided.
Tip: The Wichita County District Clerk can tell you the current filing fee schedule. Call (940) 766-8190 before you file to confirm the amounts.
What Wichita County Divorce Records Include
A Wichita County dissolution of marriage case file starts with the Original Petition for Divorce. As the case moves forward, more documents are added: the citation, proof of service, temporary orders, financial affidavits, any mediated settlement agreements, and the Final Decree of Divorce. All of these are stored by the District Clerk at the courthouse.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the primary document most people need. It ends the marriage and sets out all the terms. This includes property and debt division, any conservatorship and possession arrangements for children, child support, and spousal maintenance if ordered. Certified copies are available from the Wichita County District Clerk. You will need one to change your name, update government records, or show proof of divorce to a bank or other institution.
Wichita County dissolution records are generally public. Anyone can request copies. Some parts of the case file, such as records involving minor children, may have limited access. Sealed financial documents may not be available. Ask the District Clerk what is accessible for any specific case.
Online Case Search Tools
The re:SearchTX statewide portal covers Wichita County dissolution of marriage cases. You can search by name or cause number at no cost. The portal shows basic case data, party information, and docket entries. It is the best free online option for finding Wichita County cases before you contact the courthouse.
The Texas courts eFile system at efile.txcourts.gov allows attorneys and qualifying self-represented parties to submit filings online. This can be used for Wichita County cases and avoids the need to file in person. Check the portal to see if your case type qualifies for online submission.
The screenshot below shows the Texas vital records ordering portal where you can request a Wichita County divorce verification letter from DSHS.
The Texas vital records ordering portal lets you request a $20 divorce verification for any Texas county, including Wichita County, covering records from 1968 to the present.
Use this portal to order a Wichita County divorce verification that confirms a dissolution of marriage took place and lists the county and year of the filing.
Legal Help in Wichita County
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas has an office in Wichita Falls and serves Wichita County residents with family law cases, including dissolution of marriage. If you meet income guidelines, they may be able to provide free legal assistance. Contact their Wichita Falls office directly or check their website for eligibility information and services offered.
Texas Law Help at texaslawhelp.org provides free self-help guides and court forms for Texas divorce cases. This is a good resource if you want to handle your own case. The Texas Court Help website also has state-run guides for self-represented parties going through dissolution proceedings in Wichita County.
For a private attorney, the State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for Wichita Falls family law attorneys at texasbar.com. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov has legal research tools available to anyone.
Cities in Wichita County
Wichita County includes Wichita Falls and several smaller communities. All dissolution of marriage cases in the county are filed at the Wichita County District Clerk in Wichita Falls.
Other communities in Wichita County include Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra, and Lakeside City. All residents file dissolution of marriage cases at 900 7th Street, Room 303, in Wichita Falls.
Nearby Counties
Wichita County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma state line. These counties border Wichita County and have their own district courts.