Access Mansfield Family Court Records
Mansfield family court records are filed and maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk in Fort Worth. Mansfield is a growing city in southern Tarrant County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Tarrant County has seven dedicated family district courts and handles all family law filings for Mansfield residents including divorce, child custody, child support, and protective orders. You can search Mansfield family court records online through the Tarrant County document lookup system or the statewide re:SearchTX portal, or visit the courthouse in Fort Worth to request copies in person.
Mansfield Overview
Where Mansfield Family Court Records Are Filed
Mansfield is located in Tarrant County. All family court cases for Mansfield residents are filed with the Tarrant County District Clerk in Fort Worth. Tarrant County has seven family district courts: the 17th, 96th, 231st, 233rd, 322nd, 324th, and 360th Judicial District Courts. These courts handle divorce cases, custody orders, child support, adoptions, and protective orders for residents across Tarrant County including Mansfield.
The District Clerk is Tom Wilder. His main office is at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Room 130, Fort Worth, TX 76196. The phone number is (817) 884-1575. Office hours are Monday through Friday. The Tim Curry Justice Center at 401 W. Belknap Street in Fort Worth also houses District Clerk services. Free self-service document lookup is available at the Justice Center using public access computers on site.
| Office | Tarrant County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Weatherford Street, Room 130 Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Phone | (817) 884-1575 |
| Website | tarrantcountytx.gov/district-clerk |
| Court Document Lookup | Court Document Lookup |
Note: If you are searching for a case involving a Mansfield address that may be on the Ellis County border, verify the county of filing before submitting a records request.
How to Search Mansfield Family Court Records
Tarrant County offers online access to court records through the Court Document Lookup service. Free self-service lookup is available at courthouse terminals during business hours. Remote online access requires a subscription: $120 initiation fee plus $35 per month. The subscription service is available 23 hours a day and covers District Court civil, family, felony, and misdemeanor records with document images. A basic records search conducted by clerk staff costs $5.00.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another option for Mansfield family court records filed through eFileTexas from November 2018 forward. Register for a free account and search by party name, case number, or date. Documents available in the system are unofficial copies. Certified copies require a direct request to the Tarrant County District Clerk.
Copy fees at Tarrant County are $1.00 per page for non-certified paper copies. Non-certified electronic copies cost $1.00 for 1-10 pages, then $0.10 per additional page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. An advanced records search with complex research may carry additional fees. Contact the clerk at (817) 884-1575 for specifics on your request.
Court Rules and Forms for Mansfield Filings
The Texas Courts rules and forms page is the official source for all statewide court forms required in family court cases filed in Tarrant County.
Local rules for Tarrant County family courts are also published at topics.txcourts.gov. Reviewing local standing orders before filing a Mansfield family court case can help avoid procedural problems.
Types of Family Court Records in Mansfield
Family court records in Mansfield cover a range of case types filed in the Tarrant County District Courts. Divorce cases are one of the most common. Texas is a community property state, so property division in divorce cases can be complex. Texas Family Code Chapter 6 sets the rules for divorce proceedings. Both no-fault divorce on grounds of "insupportability" and fault-based divorce are available under Texas law. The mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing applies in all cases.
Child custody and conservatorship cases are handled through Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, called SAPCRs. These cases cover conservatorship designations, visitation or "possession and access" schedules, and child support. The court file for a SAPCR can be active for years as parents file modifications when circumstances change. Child support guidelines are in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Since September 2021, all new child support orders must include a Record of Support Order form filed through eFileTexas under Family Code Section 105.008.
Tarrant County also handles protective order filings. Texas keeps a statewide registry of protective orders under Government Code Subchapter F (Monica's Law). When a protected person requests public access, basic order information is searchable online. Clerks must enter new orders within 24 hours of issuance. Adoption records are confidential. Juvenile records are restricted under Family Code Chapter 58.
Filing Family Court Cases from Mansfield
To file a divorce or family court case as a Mansfield resident, you go to the Tarrant County District Clerk in Fort Worth. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Tarrant County for 90 days before filing, under Texas Family Code Section 6.301. You file the Original Petition for Divorce and pay the filing fee. The other party is then served or signs a Waiver of Service. Uncontested cases can sometimes be finalized shortly after the 60-day waiting period. Contested cases may need hearings or mediation before a judge signs the final decree.
Attorneys must use eFileTexas for all family court filings in Tarrant County. Self-represented litigants may also use e-filing but are not required to do so. Forms and step-by-step guides are available at texaslawhelp.org and the Texas State Law Library. The Texas Courts self-help page has additional resources for people representing themselves.
Legal Help for Mansfield Residents
Several legal aid organizations serve Tarrant County and the Mansfield area. Tarrant County Legal Aid and other nonprofits offer free or reduced-cost family law help for income-qualifying residents. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690. You can search for local family law attorneys at texasbar.com.
TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free guides for all major family court case types. The Tarrant County County Clerk at (817) 884-1195 handles vital records and marriage licenses. For child support enforcement, contact the Texas Attorney General's office at (800) 840-8757 or visit texasattorneygeneral.gov.
Note: Tarrant County offers a public access subscription service for attorneys, title companies, employers, and investigators who need regular access to court records remotely.
Tarrant County Family Court Records
Mansfield is in Tarrant County. Family court cases for Mansfield residents are handled by the Tarrant County District Clerk in Fort Worth. For more information on Tarrant County's courts, fees, and records access, visit the county records page.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Other qualifying cities near Mansfield with family court records pages:
- Fort Worth - Tarrant County seat to the north
- Arlington - Tarrant County city to the northeast